Wild signs Backstrom; Sources: Olvecky on waivers; Lynn: No inconsistency between Wild and Gaborik; No captain yet
Posted on March 3rd, 2009 – 11:07 AMBy Michael Russo
(updated on bottom with post-morning skate stuff)
The Wild has signed Niklas Backstrom to a four-year deal worth $24 million. This makes Backstrom tied for the fourth-highest paid goalie in the NHL starting next year. According to a source, there’s a conditional no-trade clause that’s at least two years and continues as long there are certain statistics in terms of games and/or minutes prove he’s still the Wild’s No. 1 goalie.
The signing ends all speculation that Backstrom will be traded before Wednesday’s 2 p.m. CT trade deadline.
“The only thing I wanted to do was stay here,” Backstrom said. “It was a big deal for me to stay here. I’m really happy that it worked out. It’s almost like a second dream come true after my shot to play in the NHL.”
By the way, I asked him the most he ever made in the Finnish Elite League? 250K
However, this puts Josh Harding’s Wild career in a state of flux. Remember, soon after Manny Fernandez was inked to a three-year extension three years ago, Dwayne Roloson was dealt to Edmonton.
The Wild will almost certainly use Harding now as an asset. However, there’s no rush to trade him. The Wild could wait until the summer and create some type of frenzy, maybe at the Draft, but if the Wild does it by the trade deadline, out-of-playoff teams in need of goalies for the future include Toronto, Ottawa and Colorado.
Also, according to sources, the Wild has placed Peter Olvecky on waivers, and the Rangers have placed former Wild players Aaron Voros and Erik Reitz on waivers. Huge names on waivers today. Others include Brendan Morrison, Miroslav Satan, Craig Adams, Jon Sim, Eric Perrin, Gary Roberts and Martin Gerber.
Also, just talked to assistant GM Tom Lynn. Regarding Marian Gaborik and his comments yesterday, Lynn said:
“From our perspective, what Marian said is exactly what the team would expect, that he’s working hard to get back, that he’s been following the team closely, that he didn’t watch games. It’s difficult to watch games when you’re out. I even talked to Marian about that when we were out there. It’s tough to watch games when you’re out. But he did follow the team closely.
“So the perspective that somehow he was detached from the team or didn’t care shouldn’t be read into his comments. I was there. I haven’t seen a guy work harder to come back. I’m surprised he was ahead of where he was supposed to be. And we’re very pleased where he is. Me spending the two days there with him, I was very proud of how hard he’s working to come back.
“The team believes in him. As far as the potential discrepancy in time, I simply related what the doctor told me and Marian, which was March 10-20. He wouldn’t be held to it, but there was this window of expectation. Marian said to me he hopes to be back by the end of the month, and he actually said, ‘Tom, if it’s March 15 or 20, I thought that was the same as by the end of the month. I don’t disagree with what my doctor said.’
“So we were both relating what his doctor was saying in different ways. It’s not like the team is saying it’s this and Marian’s saying it’s that. The doctor’s the one that governs because we’re not going to want him to come back early and potentially reinjure himself. I know it’s a sticky situation, but I feel bad for Marian.”
OK, I’m back to the hotel.
First, Andrew Brunette is definitely in. I am not sure of the forward who will be yanked for Owen Nolan, but it’ll be Peter Olvecky, Craig Weller or Colton Gillies, I’d assume.
Same defensemen as last game, meaning Kurtis Foster won’t play unless Doug Risebrough calls Jacques Lemaire from Minnesota and says, “Sit Player X because I’m about to trade him.”
The Wild will wait to name a captain until before warmups, so we’ll know him when we know him.
I talked with Risebrough this morning. We talked a lot about Backstrom and Harding, which you’ll read in tomorrow’s newspaper. Risebrough said the Backstrom deal doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll trade Harding. But eventually, you’ve got to think he will. After all, Harding wants to be a No. 1.
I’d wait till the summer. This is an awful free-agent goalie class. So many teams need goalies that I think Harding’s value will be high this summer. But make no mistake, he’s no longer the Wild’s “goalie of the future.”
At $6 million per, Backstrom is the Wild’s No. 1 — plain and simple. Wild was under immense pressure and basically Backstrom got to name his price. The second that trade deadline passed, Backstrom’s agent, Don Baizley, had all the leverage because Backstrom was going to be able to name his team as the most coveted free agent available.
But Risebrough and myself also talked a lot about the trade deadline from a league perspective. He still says things are very quiet on his end and if the Wild does anything, it’ll be “minor.”
But I think it’s going to be a lot quieter than we’ve seen in a long time because of how tight teams are against the salary cap and become of the uncertain economic future. It is almost impossible to trade any player with more than one year term left on his deal. It is impossible to trade a bad contract — see Miroslav Satan.
It’ll be a very conservative day, I’m guessing. Deals will still get done, but as is often the case, the deals that do get done will be a far cry from the hype and ridiculous rumors running rampant around cyberspace.
By the way, great line from Craig Weller this morning. I went over to talk to Peter Olvecky, who’s on waivers, and Weller, who just cleared waivers, said to me, “Careful Russo, you might catch something.”
355 Responses to "Wild signs Backstrom; Sources: Olvecky on waivers; Lynn: No inconsistency between Wild and Gaborik; No captain yet"
How come I read this on espn.com 5 minutes ago Russo? You Slacker:)!!!
Great news. Congrats Backstrom.
A step in the right direction …
I was just thinkin the same thing. What does the trib pay u for to be behind ESPN
A good signing, not a lot of money for an allstar caliber goalie. I give Doug Risborough credit for signing Backstrom to this contract. I only wish we had more of a chance to sign 1 or 2 proven scorers to give this team a boost in the offensive zone.
Now we know who Russo’s inside sources are;)
Great news!!
Wow, good news, $6M a year that’s a steep price though.
I’m happy for Backs and hope we get some offensive support for him next year!
Easy on the Don. It’s only 9:00 in ‘couver. He’s only on his fifth cup of coffee for the morning.
Hard to believe that ESPN would beat anyone on anything hockey related. They must have gotten it from TSN.
Good job!
Now get rid of Gaborik and DR
How does this price ($6 Million per) rank, compared to other top goaltenders? Anyone?
Well, looks like Harding’s time in MN is done then…
Not 100% sure how I feel about this signing, 6M/Yr is a lot pay, especially since the cap is all but certain to come down in the 10-11 season.
Also, not sure how I feel about giving up on Harding, for as long as they groomed him to be the heir apparent…
bye bye josh harding
Yeah!
TeamWin says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:09 am
I was just thinkin the same thing. What does the trib pay u for to be behind ESPN
Recently, it may be incorrect to assume that the Trib pays the Don.
Now is the time to start the “If DR had worked with him early in the season he could’ve gotten him for $4M. DR sucks!” campaign…
Apparently the impending trade deadline has crashed nhlnumbers.co
Wow the Don is gonna be busy in the Boogie Down….
Wait a sec…
Weller cleared waivers. Olvecky is on waivers…
Didn’t we already have an open roster spot?
Mr. Russo… ???
Hmm…first Weller now Olvecky…are we making room for something?
Harding is still UFA at the end of the season. I’d not be waving him goodbye quite yet. It all depends on if DR plans on doing some trading, and we all know his history there…
Goalie Salaries
So I suppose we could still trade Backstrom (unless he negotiated a NTC) because he has more value than Harding…
But I wonder if we now look to trade Harding…we obviously need scoring depth/centers more than we need two potential #1 goalies on roster!
It’s a lot of money no doubt… hopefully he is worth it. There goes some of that Gaby money fo sho.
edgewild:
Kippersoff: 8.5 down to 5 million though 12/13 season
Khabibulin: 6.75 million through 08/09 season.
Lundqvist: 7.75 - 6.85 million through 12/13 season
Turco: 6.0 - 5.4 million through 09/10 season
Well, I’m glad this happened. I would have been happy had we dangled him or happy we signed him. This was a great choice, however, I do hope that Harding gets his due shot in the NHL. He has been looking real good this year.
Hmm there goes our big trading chip. Congrats we locked up a goalie at 6 mil a year. Problem is we still can only score one goal a game. What does that 6 mil do to our salary cap next year. I would imagine it is not going to leave us much room to upgrade offensivly.
Still a big congrats to Nik Backstrom. He has played well since coming to Minnesota and has earned this extension.
I agree though, this means buh-bye Harding. No way he sticks around and plays second fiddle for the next four years. If he’s not gone by draft day he’ll only get a 1 year deal because he’s a RFA.
Reitz and Voros on waivers too, looks like the Rangers are plotting.
My bet is that Olvecky may get claimed, he is only 22 and has played few games in the NHL.
olvecky on waivers means….???
are we making a move?
Also put on waivers is Gary Roberts and Miroslav Satan.
Perfect. At least we have a fighting chance due to goaltending the next 4 years.
Rangers claimed Avery, they are just making room.
I don’t like Olvecky on waivers….he seems to be a good future asset!?!?
What is the smugster up to!?!?!?!?!
Maybe we are planning on moving Harding and one of our Defensemen. Maybe that is the explination for guys being put on waivers. Also wasn’t there some bit yesterday about some goalie shifting in Houston?
Now if we can get that bag of pucks for Gaborik, I’ll be a very happy man.
I’m surprised Olvecky has to go through waivers to be sent down.
The trade deadline insanity has begun, but for us Wild fans, I think the biggest splash has been made with the Backstrom resigning.
“Rangers claimed Avery”
Oh good god… please stop giving that clown the chance to piss people off.
AG, the goalie shift in Houston was due to Brust (I think) being hurt.
Wee!!! Hooray for Actual Things Happening!!! Good things, too!
I’m surprised Olvecky needed to go on waivers though. They can’t just send him back? Oh, he’s had too many pro games, I guess.
Amen. Glad to have Backs sticking around. A “golf clap” is offered to the still-needs-to be-replaced-pronto GM of ours.
Now then, let’s see if DR can replace those 2nd and 3rd round picks for this year that he so foolishly dealt away. I seriously doubt that with Backstrom signed he will be able to aquire any top-shelf forwards or goal-producers, not that he would have anyway.
Somebody has got to be willing to offer an 2nd or 3rd rounder for Gabby. Come on DR, swallow that over-inflated ego of yours and get it done.
I really hope Olvecky does not get claimed… I like the dude.
Let’s get Voros back!! We could use a wing who’s not afraid of getting in front of the net! He’s not a bad player, and we can get him for a small amount of cash. Too bad about Olvecky though.
I am so relieved.
Having Backstrom and Harding will be a great help to the Wild — I’m surprised DR made a good decision for once!
Oh please pick Satan off Waivers, Lamoriello!
Super happy for Backstrom! One of those last quotes “Whatever happens, happens” had me worried that he had given up hope for staying. I guess we can’t light the DR pyre just yet. :\
Voros is terrible. He can’t score. Wild are full of 3rd and 4th line grinders, they need scorers.
I wonder if this Gaby garbage about soothing some feelings on the team or amongst the fans for bringing him back for the balance of the year or about signing him for another year…
Josh…
Did you watch Voros play the second half of last year or at all this year? The Rags were foolish to give him a long term deal and now they are stuck with him.
Well, the waiver wire says just what the Wild have in mind with creating one or more roster spots.
I’ll pass on Voros, his contract hit is too high.
You’d be wrong, Risebrough should’ve been fired during the lockout, this was a no brainer signing, it doesn’t change anything.
Huge names on waivers today. Others include Brendan Morrison, Miroslav Satan, Craig Adams, Jon Sim, Eric Perrin, Gary Roberts and Martin Gerber.
I’d give you Morrison and Satan as huge names, but I cry foul on the others.
I don’t fault Gabby for NOT watching games — it’s hard enough watching the Wild play for the non-player.
YAY!
Well, the waiver wire says just what the Wild have in mind with creating one or more roster spots.
And what would that be Iceman?
Voros….NOOOOOOOOOOO, please!!!!!
Satan and / or Morrison would definitely help big-time. Also, dangle Harding out there and let’s see who’s interested. Maybe package him up with MAB or SV. Hummm…..
Great news!
I really hope Olvecky does not get claimed… I like the dude.
Hopefully the bloated waiver wire keeps hime safe but like ms. c, I would have guess he did not need to go through waivers. However, maybe this does something positive for the cap number but keep Olvecky available to play tonight.
I am in the “Say No to Voros” camp.
Here’s the goalie salaries, resorted by 09-10 salary for your convenience — puts Backstrom tied with Giguere for the #4 spot:
http://bit.ly/ym6VZ
It’s also funny to see DiPietro’s salary shoot off your screen to the right…
Excellent!!! Best Wild move in quite some time, although getting Nolan was pretty good too. Interesting that the Wild is trying to say Gaborik didn’t mean he doesn’t give a damn about the team, just himself. You don’t hear that coming from the horse’s mouth. Trade him.
I am in the “Say No to Voros” camp.
Me too - good guy though, hope he finds the right spot to land.
I’d hold Harding for draft day and see if Ottawa wants to give us a forward prospect plus a pick for him.
Satan … would definitely help big-time
With all due respect, sir, you are incorrect. Trust me.
I did and i liked the way he played, even though he did struggle (both last year and this year). You can’t say that Sheppard, Velliux, Bergeron, or Zidlicky have done THAT much better though…
Lots of fun names and possibilities out there right now! We could get MUCH better by tomorrow night 
6GS, I agree. Good kid.. but we definitely don’t need him.
Had to stop by to say congrats to Backs.
Well deserved if not timely.
GuruDan is correct in my opinion. The Wild need scoring. Even just one scorer would help alot.
If they could land OJ, (if he is even available?) they get a two way center.
With Koivu, Mittens, PMB, Burnette, Nolan, it would be a big upgrade because we then have two scoring lines.
Add to that our rental player (Gaby) to Belanger, Clutterbuck, Fritche and the others we have a solid core.
Kevin, you here for a short trade deadline stint eh? Nice to see you still lurk around here.
I like Voros as a dude, but he’s just not a smart enough player to play the way he does. Too many sloppy penalties. I do feel badly for Reitzy though. 
Anyone remember Stars seasons with just 55-65pts? Give DR a chance, me thinks he’s about to F this team up to that point. Olvecky on waivers makes no sense. Can’t wait to see where it goes from there.
IceMan, according to rumors OJ is on the market again. I guess Super Wayne thinks he didn’t help the team much.
I don’t think anyone would disagree that the Wild need scoring but you don’t want to give up the best goalie in the league to get it. I’m glad they signed the man, he earned it. I think we can safely dangle Harding out there but I doubt there would be too much interest in him. Looks like the waiver wire will provide some of the best options at this point.
AustinTX, it would seem like they would find some scoring help there, if not from a trade.
Wanted to see the reactions to the recent Gaborik/Backstrom stories.
You guys don’t want Satan. Truuust me. Think of him as another Gaborik except with little skill and less heart.
What’s funny though is he’s got goals in two straight and has actually been playing better lately since the coaching change. The timing of the move is, shall we say, curious. And overdue.
Let’s get Voros back!!
I know you liked it here, Aaron but we don’t need you.
TSN confirms that Rags have plucked Avery off waivers. Does anyone know if the Stars have to pays half of his remaining salary for the 3 years left on his contract or just half for this year?
Voros has had another poor year plus he is a punching bag. He tries hard; he’s just not any good. I still think they will sign Saku over the summer which will help but is not the complete answer.
TooL above: the team “believes” in Gaby. I would pay $100 to ask TooL why Gaby does not believe in the Wild.
We should definitely try to trade for OJ and it wouldnt be a bad idea to pick up Morrison. We would have two solid centers with Koivu and Morrison
The Wild really wanted Morrison in the off-season, but he wanted to stay on the west coast.
I’d be stunned if they didn’t put in a claim.
IceMan, I am not super hyped on OJ, but I was just telling the wife that an Nolan?OJ/PMB line could be pretty awesome.
Think of him as another Gaborik except with little skill and less heart.
That is definitely description enough to send me running for he hills away from him.
As it should, Austin. Shero must be trying to cook something up. Waiving Satan should’ve been done a month ago.
Agreed with Morrison. They have to get a spark.
People please don’t set yourselves up for another heart breaking deadline. We do not have the assets to get OJ. Plus even with OJ we don’t have enough scoring wingers to center.
What do you hope is in store for the Pens Kevin?
someone please tell my why olvecky is on waivers? just throw away another center!!! good lord.
What do you hope is in store for the Pens Kevin?
That we trade for the Red Wings.
Kevin in PA says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:57 am
Wanted to see the reactions to the recent Gaborik/Backstrom stories.
You guys don’t want Satan. Truuust me. Think of him as another Gaborik except with little skill and less heart.
What’s funny though is he’s got goals in two straight and has actually been playing better lately since the coaching change. The timing of the move is, shall we say, curious. And overdue.
Satan has been better because he’s been with Malkin since Cry Baby hasn’t been playing after AO hurt his feelings. Sidney may be a great player, but he has yet to make anyone around him any better. Geno is the true leader on that team.
Buddha! KIPA! thought ya’ll were goners its a good day in russoville!
Backstrom! Backstrom! Backstrom!
NETminder1… it’s one of two things…
1. DR is a complete and utter moron.
2. There is some trade/waiver shuffling going on.
You choose.
That we trade for the Red Wings.
Hmmm.. can’t see that happening…
Fair question SGS
Dan, I’d argue the Geno being the true leader but only from the vocal standpoint. He’s the better player, agreed. He really steps it up when Crosby’s out.
Satan’s getting more top-line time under Bylsma than under Therrien. That means Malkin sometimes. But he hasn’t always been with Malkin.
Not going to dispute anything else you said about Crosby.
I still don’t think Satan can be of much help to many teams though.
Great news on Backstrom. Yeah, a lot of $, but he’s earned it with his play. He’s been a huge part of what’s kept the Wild at least competitive - if not contending - this season. I’d gladly take him over some of the other netminders in the same pay band as him.
Harding - I hope they do move him, for his sake, above and beyond what he’ll bring in return. He seems like a team-first guy, and he deserves a shot at a starting job somewhere.
Voros - None for me, thanks. Like the energy and the spastic attitude is entertaining, but as far as being a hockey player, he’s an AHL-er that got on the wrong bus somehow. If they need that kind of player on the roster, keep SRV.
Really hope they don’t lose Olvecky. I like that kid.
Still hoping for a MAB/SRV package deal for a top-2-line forward…
The Gaborik comments? I read them compared to IGOW and Bruno and thought “He’s in the wrong sport. He belongs in the NBA not the NHL.”
That we trade for the Red Wings.
Hmmm.. can’t see that happening…
Especially since DR is trading our 3rd and 4th line for the Wings 1st and 2nd lines. Why else would Olvecky and Weller be run through waivers? DR has a blockbuster brewing….
Olvecky had to go through waivers because that is the way his contract is written. Has nothing to do with number of games or anything else.
It’s amazing how people were screaming at DR to sign Backstrom, then when he does people are still upset with him. Backstrom probably would have received more on the free-agent market, this was a good deal by DR.
austin, i, as well as most of us, already know DR is a complete and utter moron! i’m just hoping he’s making room for a good addition, preferably a center!!! OJ sure would be nice.
robert, people are not upset with DR because of the backstrom situation. this stems from a long line of dumb roster moves, or lack there of!
I would love to see the Wild pick up Morrison off the waiver wire. Only problem is his contract status. Anybody know what that actually is? Is he signed thru or past next season, or he is a FA after this year again? No point really in getting him if he’s just gonna bolt after the season.
I agree that the Wild just simply doesn’t have the assests to go after OJ. It would be nice, but it most likely ain’t gonna happen. At this point, I’d be happy if we acquired somebody like Morrison and replaced those missing 2nd and 3rd round picks for this years draft. Again, with Gabby, MAB, and SV available it “should” be possible. Well, maybe…..
It’s to bad we couldn’t trade him now for some prospects…this team isn’t going anywhere and we need good young talent which we do not have now…Backs is great but i think Harding will be just as good in time…let some young players develop instead of spinning our wheels…
one other thing: now that backstrom is re-signed and it’s no longer a distraction to him, i hope he goes absolutely lights out! that sure would be sweet to see him rattle off 2-3 shutouts in a row!
Gaborik doesn’t even watch the games.
Any night the Wild play a home game you can find this guy sitting at the bar downtown Minneapolis at the W hotel hitting on 21 year olds. The guy is a JOKER…
This guy should be on the first plane out of here!!!
I’m happy to hear about the Backstrom signing - Congrats DR, you have proven me wrong and made 1 solid choice this year.
Don’t blow it with the deadline now. Make an impactful move, and you may regain a speck of faith from me.
…and another thing…can we trade Gaby instead of loosing him for nothing…i’d take a 1st round pick for him…beats nothing at all
So is anyone thinking Backstrom can still be traded? That was one school of thought when the Penguins gave Staal an extension, that it increased his value because he had a long-term deal and teams knew what they’d be paying him.
Harding for James VRD
Did someone say that DR might be lining up a “blockbuster” move!!?? Wow, I want some of whatever Kool-Aid you’re drinkin’. 
Remember, this is DR. Look at his track record, not only here but in Calgary. Any blockbuster deals he makes usally benefit the other team!!
The idea of a 2nd line scorer for a possible package of MAB and SV sounds interesting though. That, plus a potential aquisition of Morrison would be quite a boost. Then save Joshy for draft day and make a deal for him then. Hummmm, again…..
the move that makes too much sense to do so it won’t happen is trading PMB for Staal. Pitt needs another winger to play with Cry Baby and Wild need a center in the worst way.
Perhaps the signing of Backstrom had something to do with my purchase of the “Greatest Masks of All Time” collections issue of The Hockey News over lunch today.
It seems pretty clear Josh Harding will be on his way out of town Wednesday or at the draft. That is a shame. He put in a lot of strong work for this organization and I believe he can be a #1 goalie.
KiPA…good to see you again.
We trust you on Satan too….
I thought Backstrom got a verbal NTC from Smug? Kudos to our GM for making an obvious signing.
What else you got up your sleeve Smug?
Geno says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Did someone say that DR might be lining up a “blockbuster” move!!?? Wow, I want some of whatever Kool-Aid you’re drinkin’.
Remember, this is DR. Look at his track record, not only here but in Calgary. Any blockbuster deals he makes usally benefit the other team!!
don’t forget Doug destroying the Oilers too before he was shown the door.
James VRD would be nice, read something about how they might have been looking to do one for one with Kari Lehtonen. Harding should be in that range.
KIPA-
I was thinking the same thing. DR may be thinking in his little mind that because he signed Backs for 6M per, that he could get more out of a trade because of the cap hit. Will certainly be an interested 24 hours.
What about Gabby to Pitt, for Staal and a draft pick
Why would Olvecky have anything other than a standard 2 way contract like every other guy down here?
KinPA@12:34,
No. Risebrough may have his faults, but he would never turn around a trade a guy that he just gave an extension to like that.
Waverly:
Sorry to do this but I see this on posts all the time. . .the word you are looking for is “lose” not “loose.”
I’d rather a goal scoring winger. Bouchard’s a passer, isn’t he?
What about Gabby to Pitt, for Staal and a draft pick
What else are you sending us?
maxpower- been here the whole time… at least in spirit
So it wasn’t Backstrom’s last game at the X. Excellent news. Good deal relative to his strength on the team and what other top goaltenders are getting.
Khabibulin, Nikolai Chicago Blackhawks $6,750,000
Luongo, Roberto Vancouver Canucks $6,500,000
Theodore, Jose Colorado Avalanche $6,000,000
Rangers picked up Avery…that was a mistake. No one will pick up Voros.
I would like to eat my words from yesterday. I would like to see the Wild give Gabby a two year, $4.5 million deal. Year one, $1.5 million. If no injuries next year, year 2, $3 million. There could also be incentive bonuses in the deal for scoring and assits. It is time for him to prove himself again.
I would like him to have to climb back and this would be a fair deal. I think he would probably not take it though, since he made $7.5 to rehab this year. My contract would make up for the salary this team lost.
Other choices: Jokinen, Antropov, Kaberle, Morrison, the Sedin Twins, Jarome Ignilia, Ovechikin….I just woke up from dreaming, excuse me!
Backs deal has a 2 year NTC, and continues as long as he is considered the #1 (based on stats)
http://wild.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=411923
What about Gabby to Pitt, for Staal and a draft pick
What else are you sending us?
Hahahaha, a used puck bag.
Did someone say that DR might be lining up a “blockbuster” move!!?? Wow, I want some of whatever Kool-Aid you’re drinkin’
Me too - I envision Smug and TooL walking into work everyday touching the “No Bold Moves” sign above the door way
In seriousness, congrats again to DR on the Backs deal particularly given that the no trade aspects of the deal are complicated and probaly hard to work out. Also, full credit to Backstrom and his agent for the good faith and willingness to compromise beyond the norm (I would guess) - Nicklas Backstrom you are officially a leader of the Minnesota Wild.
Keep dreaming then, AG.
RE: Lehtonen for Vanwhatshisname
Not going to happen. Philly’s not going to give up their top prospect for a goalie that may or may not be an upgrade over their current batch, not to mention they’ve got cap issues to work out if they did that.
RE: OJ
Who are the Wild going to trade for him? And he is not a “two way center”. He a decent scorer and not that great defensively. You’ve got to be a bit wary of a guy who gets traded with the consensus being that Phoenix got the better of the deal, yet it’s Florida who is now going to finally make the playoffs without him. They would end up overpaying for an overrated guy like him at the deadline.
Maybe Tim Connoly or (more Risebrough’s speed) Afinogenov from Buffalo for Harding give or take depending on the pieces.
Just given you crap Kevin. The only reason I threw Staal out there is Pitt would have to free up cap room I would assume to take on Gabbys contract.
No worries, AG. I think management may be interested in Gaborik. He can join Crosby and form a new Wonky Groin Duo.
I did read some specualtion on some other sites that Pitt is making moves to bring on Gabby. If healthy he and Crosby could do some damage, except Gabby is a puck hog.
NETminder1 - I hate having to jump in and out of the convo, unfortunately it’s a busy day…I see a lot of people are upset with DR for these past transactions, but I look at the last year and really only the bad one I see is the one made at the deadline last year.
The players he brought in this season are out-performing the players that left, the difference really is Gaborik but we don’t know for sure how much of that was in DR’s hands. I think he’s handled the Gaborik situation as well as he could have given the injury status and history with him. He shouldn’t have given him a long term extension (which he didn’t) and we have no idea if he was trying to trade Gaborik or not. He could have been shopping him like the day after Thanksgiving but no teams would take the offer.
Gabby is a puck hog.
If that means he’ll shoot the damn thing, I’m fine with that. No one wants to shoot on this team, it’s just pass pass pass. The Pens average the fewest shots on goal in the league I think. We need someone who will just throw it to the goal.
Trade Gaby already, he’s lazy and a worthless piece of crap and god help me if the Wild continue to give him a raise for injuring himself, again.
DR overpaid approx 2 m / yr. If he would have
signed him in the beginning of the year vs the trade deadline he could have got him much cheaper. So,
we could have saved 8 mm over the course of the contract and used that
money to purchase another assets like a pure goal scorer..
I’m pretty sure you can’t write in a waiver requirement into a player contract. It must be a part of the CBA.
I heard OJ was being shopped because the Dogs are having money problems - so a deal could be had. It probably just won’t be with Minny.
Waverly Boy says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
…and another thing…can we trade Gaby instead of loosing him for nothing…i’d take a 1st round pick for him…beats nothing at all
———————————–
Uhhhh…..You’re new here aren’t you?
Hahahaha………
Interesting Poll:
With Niklas Bacskstrom signed to a new deal, will the Wild make the Playoffs?
48% YES
53% NO
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=nhl&pollId=68229
KiPA….better check with the Wild if you’re talking about low shots on goal totals
Good contract for Backs, he gets paid, gets to stay here, and if we get someone better eventually, we can trade him.
No team is going to trade a #1 for Gabby…no way, no how. Maybe a 2nd or 3rd rounder, but I’d lean towards 3rd if that were to happen.
Lastly, although there are few things I like seeing better than our boys winning, there’s a part of me that’s hoping they end up toward the bottom of the conference and consequently end up with a top #10 pick in the draft.
Got you beat, Lemmi. 27.5 to 27.7.
haha KiPA, thanks for making my day…that’s incredibly funny
And if anyone didn’t see on the Russoville FH league, anyone want to trade? All this trade talk has got me jumping around!
What do you need, Lemmi? I’ve got Kaberle on the block.
Congrats to Backs. I am glad to see a guy that does well and wants to be here stay. Now if he and the others that want to be here can help attract some stud FA’s in the summer, that would be great.
I’m so torn on the Gaby thing. If he truely has said he doesn’t want to be here, and I think that is probably the case, then I move him for whatever I can get. I just worry that he is now going to be healthy going forward and will turn into a bonafide superstar.
In regards to Morrison, from what I’ve heard, his play has been so bad this year that Russo has often times said the Wild are probably glad he picked the Ducks so they wouldn’t have him, so I can’t see them going after him.
gabby doesnt get a goal - that is pure speculation at how much DR could have signed Backstrom for earlier in the year. What if DR put a $4 mil offer on the table and Backstrom turned it down? You don’t know that. I highly doubt Backstrom would have accepted a deal earlier in the year, knowing his stats over the past few seasons and knowing his post-all start stats.
Robert-I agree that you really can’t speculate as to what may have been with these contracts. They could have signed Backs and he could have laid an egg and everyone would have been all over DR for that. All in all I think it is a fair agreement.
Goody says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:18 am
Now is the time to start the “If DR had worked with him early in the season he could’ve gotten him for $4M. DR sucks!” campaign…
gabby doesnt get a goal says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
DR overpaid approx 2 m / yr. If he would have signed him in the beginning of the year vs the trade deadline he could have got him much cheaper. So,
we could have saved 8 mm over the course of the contract and used that
money to purchase another assets like a pure goal scorer..
See, what did I say? It only took 1 hr 55 mins. 
I’ve ripped him, and now I will say thanks and give him credit for a great move. Backstrom is rock solid and this was a good move both now and for the future of this franchise. Thank you DR… but you can’t rest on your one good deed.
ArmChair GM time:
(any of these work?)
A.) Trade Harding & a 4th for Neil and a 3rd? Gives us grit with Neil and a 3rd round pick.
B.) Trade Harding, Johnnson, Sheppard and a 4th rounder for Spezza & Neil. Gives us grit and a star who can score in the event Gabby leaves after this season.
C.) Trade Harding & Gaborik for Kolvuchuk
D.) Trade Harding & Johnnson for Spezza.
Don’t rip me, just trying to find good return for Harding while mixing in players from the rumor mill to make us better. Just looking for ideas, theories, etc. Having fun with trade ideas!
I take anything Eklund says with a grain of salt, but if this is accurate…see ya later Gaby
Gaborik is getting some serious interest since coming back to Minnesota from his Vale Colorado conditioning/ rehab trip…
From a source, “Gaborik is appealing right now and drawing great interest in the last 24 hours…”
I am told the team that knows they can re-sign him will likely will put up something in the area of a #1 pick, a prospect, and a third liner. The team that I am hearing that is closest is definitely the LA Kings.
However a few teams on the playoff bubble willing to take him as a rental, mainly Nashville, Anaheim and Columbus, are also very much involved to this point.
I bet OJ goes to Cowgirly. They have been trying for years to get that guy. Sutter does pretty good with trades.
Too bad for us savvy trade and Doug Risebrough go together like peanut butter and tuna fish…
Harding may not be traded though until after the season. At this point in his career I doubt that a playoff team would view him as the savior to take them to the Cup. But over the summer a team looking to strengthen that position would be interested–and there are a number of non-playoff teams who should be interested.
DR overpaid approx 2 m / yr. If he would have signed him in the beginning of the year vs the trade deadline he could have got him much cheaper.
Not sure about the exact number, and I do think that signing Backstrom was the right move and the salary, based on his play over the last three seasons is fair, but this is a good point. And part of the reason why I think Risebrough can only go so far. He does some things well, but he just doesn’t seem to read the tea leaves right and ends up being behind the situation on the wrong side of it. He’s often cautious when he should be bold and bold when he should be cautious.
But whatever. He’s here for the long run, so we may as well learn to love the guy.
Schmidty says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I’ve ripped him, and now I will say thanks and give him credit for a great move. Backstrom is rock solid and this was a good move both now and for the future of this franchise. Thank you DR… but you can’t rest on your one good deed.
ArmChair GM time:
(any of these work?)
A.) Trade Harding & a 4th for Neil and a 3rd? Gives us grit with Neil and a 3rd round pick.
B.) Trade Harding, Johnnson, Sheppard and a 4th rounder for Spezza & Neil. Gives us grit and a star who can score in the event Gabby leaves after this season.
C.) Trade Harding & Gaborik for Kolvuchuk
D.) Trade Harding & Johnnson for Spezza.
Don’t rip me, just trying to find good return for Harding while mixing in players from the rumor mill to make us better. Just looking for ideas, theories, etc. Having fun with trade ideas!
The only deal of those 4 I’d make is for Kovalchuk. With a solid finisher, Spezza is no different then the figure skating midget we already have. Wild also don’t need Neil. The team is loaded with 3rd and 4th line grinders already. Wild need scorers.
schmidty, spezza sucks…someone else established that yesterday!
Too bad for us savvy trade and Doug Risebrough go together like peanut butter and tuna fish…
good thing you didn’t say peanut butter and mayonnaise. that’s what my father-in-law used to eat growing up! ick.
Bummer. Backstrom is great and all, but this deal ensures 4 more years of Lemaire’s painfully boring defensive system. 4 more years of 2-to-1 games. Woohoo! The girls hockey tourney this past weekend was more exciting than this team. Really — not being sarcastic about that.
sorry, should be: without a solid finisher
Agreed Woodcock, that’s why I have him going to Ottawa in several of those trades. Ottawa needs a good young goalie, Atlanta too. And since both are out of the running they are sellers and we could get an asset(s) for Harding.
I am told the team that knows they can re-sign him will likely will put up something in the area of a #1 pick, a prospect, and a third liner. The team that I am hearing that is closest is definitely the LA Kings.
One can dream…
God I hate Eklund.
You’ve got to be a bit wary of a guy who gets traded with the consensus being that Phoenix got the better of the deal, yet it’s Florida who is now going to finally make the playoffs without him.
been saying this about OJ for a long time. guy is the greatest player in the history of the NHL to have 0 GP in playoffs.
Schmidty, Just not sure they would pull the trigger on a Harding trade now rather than off season.
Netminder - Spezza doesn’t suck.. he’s a great center who would be a #1 center on just about any team in the NHL. And on the Wild’s roster… he is a finisher who can score. He’s a great Center and gets you 20-30 goals a year and 60+ pts. Last I checked, we need both a scorer and a Center.
SG Dan - My thoughts on Neil was toughness, something the Wild does not have. They have waived Weller, Ovecky.. use their salary and get Neil and sign him. He wants $2 million a year. I’d give him that. He’s a tough guy that will get you 20-25 points a season… like Fridge did for us.
Sports Guru Dan–
You aren’t much of a guru if you don’t even know the definition of a grinder. Learn your chops and then you can start calling yourself a guru.
If you look at teams like Detroilet, San Jose to an extent, Boston… the good teams.
They have 2-4 studs that can score and finish and then they surrond those guys with players to help and a few 4th liners. I’d rather have 2-4 studs who will score each night then having ONE star and a bunch of lunch pail guys.. which is kind of what we have now with Gaborik.
Koivu is good, but he’s a 2nd line center on any other team in the NHL. Or than him (and Gabby), is there a person on the Wild roster that would even come close to starting on anyone elses first line? Hell no.
G*, I think he’s a decent player, just not what a lot of people give him credit for. I think his scoring could help them, but I just don’t see who the Wild would trade for the guy. Gaborik and Harding? I guess maybe. But I don’t see why PHX does that. If they’re just looking to dump salaries, then I’d think they would at least want picks/prospects in return. My gut says that there are other teams that could give PHX a better offer.
for those armchair GM’s out there(and on facebook):
Something may be in the works. Maybe Antropov and/or Ponikarovsky coming here?
Burke was just on the Fan 590 in TO and said he’s talked to Doug 3 times already today about a bunch of different players….Gaborik was not one of them though.
SGD: >>If you watched him play as much as I have, he’s a rather impressive goalie that’s been hung out to dry due to pathetic team defense in Atlanta.<<
When you spend a lot of time watching Atlanta, God may be trying to send a message that you have too much time on your hands.
Congrats to The Backuum and to Smug & TooL for gettin it done.
Why is TooL shining Gaby’s apple? Why isn’t Gaby skating until Thursday? Why are their target dates 2 weeks apart at a very critical juncture in the season no matter what they say now? Why would you bring him back for the last 5-6 games unless you are in the thick of it? And then why? Why wouldn’t Nolan or Koivu go Ohlund on Gaby’s ankle the first practice they are on the ice together?
Hawk says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Sports Guru Dan–
You aren’t much of a guru if you don’t even know the definition of a grinder. Learn your chops and then you can start calling yourself a guru.
I know exactly what a grinder is and the Wild are full of them at forward less Koivu and Miettinen.
BladesOfSteel says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Bummer. Backstrom is great and all, but this deal ensures 4 more years of Lemaire’s painfully boring defensive system.
Does not compute. What if JL decides to hang up his coaching skates after this season? Why would the goalie have any affect on the team continuing with the same system under a new coach?
Schmidty says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
C.) Trade Harding & Gaborik for Kolvuchuk
I’d do that.
Stoned on the Breakaway says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
SGD: >>If you watched him play as much as I have, he’s a rather impressive goalie that’s been hung out to dry due to pathetic team defense in Atlanta.<<
When you spend a lot of time watching Atlanta, God may be trying to send a message that you have too much time on your hands.
Unlike you apparently, I love the game of hockey, and no game is a bad game, especially when Kovalchuk is involved.
Assuming Kolvuchuk is Kovalchuck that is… can’t be too cautious with some of these eastern European and Russian names…
Stoned on the Breakaway says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Why is TooL shining Gaby’s apple?
Damage control since they aren’t trading him.
goody, you didn’t spell it right either…
Kovalchuk.
Or maybe Dan is correct and it is Kovalchuk???
Kovalchuk according to nhl.com. Dan is correct.
Harding is good to keep now, unless before the deadline we can get a good two-way center who can score.
Or, if before the draft, somebody wants him bad and is willing to give us something good.
I think eventually Harding will want out of here but he might be OK being backup for awhile yet.
But, how a two-way center would help us right now!
I like Belanger, and I am not totally down on Shepherd either, but he has not elevated his game enough.
The problem is that teams can make it tough on Koivu’s line because we do not have enough scoring elsewhere.
If you can add the right center now, by trade or waiver wire, one who can make his linemates better offensively then we can be good the rest of the year.
If we add a center there really are some decent line combos to pick from that should score more: PMB, Nolan, Burnett, Mittens, Clutterbuck, Gaby (rental), and Fritsche.
I think the Wild could make some noise this year yet.
If you do find a scoring center now, and somebody wants Gaby worse than us you can move him for a high draft choice. If not, he is part of our mix.
I think Gaby has lots to prove and so when he does start to play he will produce.
It also seems like the Wild have some hopes of a longer term relationship with him because they keep trying to put positive spin out for public consumption.
>>>Unlike you apparently, I love the game of hockey, and no game is a bad game, especially when Kovalchuk is involved.<<<
That will look good as an epitaph on your headstone.
SGD, thanks for the update from Fan 590… but I don’t like anyone from Toronto. Maybe DR was trying to move Harding to the Leafs for some of those picks Burke has.
Russo, any clues as to why (besides them not being great players) that DR moved Weller and Ovecky to waivers? Is he making roster space, a little cap room? And how long can they continue to “play” for the Wild before we have to actually do something with them after they have cleared waivers?
SGG–
Your posts allude to labeling Voros and Neil as grinders. They aren’t!
I do not see this happening but possibly intriguing…
Spezza and Kuba
for
Harding, Bergeron, and Velliux and/or Pick
Thought? I think it would satisfy needs of both sides.
i want spezza. Give them whoever. I would love to see spezza, gabby, and nolan on our first line trying to make a playoff run.
Proved my own point didn’t I?
Voros is a poor mans Clutterbuck
Burns has a had a god awful season, that move up to forward ruined him.
Very poor. Destitute. Sleeping under the overpass.
Hawk says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
SGD–
Your posts allude to labeling Voros and Neil as grinders. They aren’t
They are the definition of grinders.
>>>Burns has a had a god awful season, that move up to forward ruined him.<<<
Per Russo, it even put a crimp in Burnsie’s bowling; couldn’t break 100. Needs to get a Wii. Invite me over Burnsie. I’ll show you a few tricks.
imo, gabby is better to keep than have DR picking bad prospects again. we should make the playoffs and we need the money from those home games and with gabby we might win a few. I would like to have Staal or Spezza though and some better defenseman.
Why in the world would anyone want SPEZZA’s ridiculous contract…explain
Just saw Backstrom signing. Maybe DR does have a brain after all.
I am very excited!
under 100 is pretty bad, burnzie aim down the middle haha
Stoned, somehow I wasn’t surprised that Shultz was the bowler of the two. I just can’t see Burns bowling - not ‘active’ enough for him.
I’m surprised no one has brought back last year’s Benny P and 4th rounder for OJ talk.
Good job to sign Backstrom DR.
Ernie Banks must have sucked, he had 0 World Series games played. Of course, Joe Thornton is great in the regular season and then stinks in the playoffs every year. Maybe the 1st time OJ reaches the playoffs he’ll set a scoring record, we just don’t know.
Maybe at next years draft we’ll trade Harding and a 4th rounder to move up one spot and take another defensive minded D-man.
Lynn…. the smoother. I didn’t think he had it in. He always came off arrogant.
I don’t think spezza has a ridiculous contract. The money is better spent on him then Gabby… He is not a sally and put up points…
I hope so. The Wild have way too many d-men that can’t actually play any D. A few defensive d-men would be nice.
voros will never compare to clutterbuck and burn’s will be just fine we should get jokinen for scoring
Harding + Belanger + Pouliot for Jokinen + Tellquvist
Do it DR!!
expapre4 says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I don’t think spezza has a ridiculous contract. The money is better spent on him then Gabby… He is not a sally and put up points…
Huh?? When healthy, and this recent surgery is suppose to keep him healthy, Gaborik is the best 5 on 5 scorer in the league and is 4th overall in goals per game. The Wild can get who ever they want, unless they get AO or Geno, they can’t replace Gaborik.
Maybe we misunderstood DR before the season when he said he was acquiring offensive D-men? Maybe he didn’t mean offensive (put up pts), but offensive (they’ll offend you)?
in my perfect world, wild trade for a superstar and him and healthy robogabby take pay cuts like zetterberg to get this team competative
i agree blades sign jokie
BladesofSteel says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Harding + Belanger + Pouliot for Jokinen + Tellquvist
Do it DR!!
Tellqvist? really? get Roli to backup or something. Tellqvist is garbage.
Strictly from a business standpoint, I guess I can see using Gaby in anyway possible to get a playoff spot and pick up 2 or maybe 3 game revenue pots.
From an ego standpoint, if I didn’t get a viable offer near the deadline, I’d trade him to a non-playoff contender for next to nothing. Get him out of the X, away from the team and inconvenience him. $7.5M for an organ grinder and monkey act that has gotten far too old.
I know exactly what a grinder is and the Wild are full of them at forward less Koivu and Miettinen.
PMB a grinder?
Toivo, “”But whatever. He’s here for the long run, so we may as well learn to love the guy.”"
Above has been my contention too.
You are probably correct on OJ, but DR seemed to be working hard to bring him here last summer.
if hes traded anywhere its to the East, unless DR is a complete moronn which i wouldnt put past him.
You have been missing Sunshine, a lively discussion all day.
I hate to sound like Sports Guru Dan, but why does everyone think Harding is the second coming? He had an amazing game against Chicago, but other than that he seems to give up 3-4 goals per game and he usually loses. Granted he doesn’t get much goal support.
Why so many people convinced that the rest of the league is chomping at the bit to get Harding?
Voros and Neil are NOT grinders. You’re just tossing that word out there. A grinder is defensively responsible (some grinders are considered defensive specialists) and their job is to wear down opposing team’s top lines. When was the last time you saw Voros or Neil put in the game to be the shutdown guy for the team.
I just skipped the last 1/4 of the blog becaue I saw aout 20 “Dan” posts….
Lemmi… I got centers availible! Let’s ake a deal!
a lot of people are guessing Harding will be a good goalie because half his losses this year, he has gotten no goal support… Sure he gives up 1 or 2 maybe but when your offense is putting up 0 and 1 goal games, not much he can do.
Trade wires awfully quiet.
Above has been my contention too.
I was being droll.
Ok so quick before the boss lady gets back from her meeting and finds me not working on the April staff schedule.
1) Yippie!! So glad they signed Backs.
2) Not going to think about Hards situation at the moment.
3)Olvecky has to go on waivers before he can be sent back to Houston because of how long he’s been here right? Just want to clear that up since I can’t remember how long that time period is.
4) For those that want to know, the Mr is doing much better. He’ll be on crutches for a while however. My mom and dad (who are retired and have time to do this kind of thing)came up this week to help while he gets used to the crutches and stuff so I could go back to work.
Oops here comes the boss lady, later people.
Pewterschmidt,
Harding was drafted and labled the goalie of the future. He won WHL goalie of the year after being drafted and developed just fine in the AHL. I think the fact that has plays inconsistant comes from sitting on the bench for long periods of time. It’s tough for anybody to get a game flow by sitting for so long. Take a peak around NHL trade sites and Harding’s name comes up quite a bit. I bet if you go to TSN.ca right now you’ll see comments under Backstrom’s extension asking what we want for Harding.
7 million a year to play with Alfy and Heatley, a lot of players in the league could put up those numbers
Way to much money for Spezza! I like him but seriously he is to costly
So Harding is a RFA, if he is resigned what are we looking at here, especially with cap expected to drop in coming years?
pewter, i’ve tried to convey that message a month ago. Harding is simply not #1 goaltender material. i’ve even been told by a former member of the wild staff, “the only reason josh harding is here is because he’s left handed.” i’m not saying he’s not good or anything…just not #1.
Also (other.. pewterschimdt), most of the league has come to realize that the Wild put out good goalies.
Roli is playing well for Edmonton and has been their #1 since the trade.
Manny has played solid for Boston and would be their start if Tim Thomas hadn’t come on so strong and Manny didn’t get hurt.
Then we take an unknown in Backstrom and turn him into a top five goalie.
Teams looking for a future #1 goalie (see Ottawa, Atlanta, Toronto) would be thrilled to add a Harding. And since all three are sellers, it works.
Another ArmChair GM trade:
Harding & Johnnson to Atlanta for their #1 pick (in Johnny T. Lottery) and either Todd White or Colby Armstrong.
Of course, what Lynn said can’t be true. He’s only known the guy for ten years. You all know Gaborik much better, from your standpoint 100 feet away on the ice and about a mile away off it. Seeing as Gaborik said the same thing to Falness yesterday as Lynn said today, do you think it might be true? People have made up their minds about Gaborik already; don’t let facts get in your way.
Just one thing though; some of you pay good money to watch games. Great. When Gaborik doesn’t play, you get frustrated. Fine. But keep in mind what it’s like for the player; for four years his season has been derailed for months by this injury. It has handicapped his greatest asset (speed). He probably didn’t know if it was going to be the same when he came back. So he gets this surgery on the hope that it will fix this thing. Nobody knows for sure if it will. If it happens again, you’re looking at a career in serious jeopardy, and probably a player that will have to dramatically change his game, if he’s able to come back. I’m not saying we should be singing Gaborik’s praises. He’s been a jerk several times in his years here, and is still somewhat immature.
I’m just saying, don’t think this has been easy for him. You’re quick to condemn him and say he’s lazy and is a wuss. 99% of you have never met him. I’m willing to give him a shot this year and see what happens.
Sports Guru Dan says: The Wild have way too many d-men that can’t actually play any D. A few defensive d-men would be nice.
I suppose that is why the Wild has the lowest GAA of any team this year, and lower than the team had last year when it won the Division.
Anybody else got a headache today?
So, neither Antropov nor Dom are playing tonite.
I believe Harding’s numbers (other than W-L) are pretty good.
Is “Dan” related to “Mike” ??
Lucky - I don’t really think Harding has really been that inconsistent this year. Despite his 2-8-1 record, he still has posted a 2.22 GAA and .931 SV%. That’s pretty darn good for a backup goalie.
Harding is 2-7-1 as a starter, in his two wins the Wild averaged 4 goals/game. In his eight losses, the Wild averaged 1.71 goals/game. Even Backstrom wouldn’t win many of those games. The fact is Harding just hasn’t received the support. How many of Backstrom’s losses this year could you blame on lack of goal support? Harding is still a good goalie and I think a team could find a gem if they’re willing to take a chance.
Backs 32… I do. But mine is work related. Never have an emergency and then be gone from work for several days. I have yet to glimps the bottom of my IN box.
“I haven’t seen a guy work harder to come back.” So… what does that make Kurtis Foster? Or Bruno or Nolan, who aren’t working at all to come back from an injury–they’re playing injured.
Lynn is full of it.
Got busy and didn’t expect an update until later because of the team being in the West Coast. I didn’t want to keep checking every hour or so.
[…] Inked to 4-Year Deal Jump to Comments Per Mike Russo, the Wild have signed goaltender Niklas Backstrom to a 4 year, $24M deal. The deal also will include a partial no-trade clause in it that is at […]
Schmidty,
You nailed it. We keep putting out great goalies year after year. It’s apparently the only talent that the Wild scouts are able to pick up. So if we keep getting great goalies, why do we need to waste 6 million a year on one when the next three coming up are about as good? Why not spend that 6 million on someone who could, I don’t know, score a goal? It’d be nice to have a guy who didn’t have sand in his vagina (Gaborik), or a dinosaur (sorry Nolan) leading the team in goals scored for a few seasons.
Encrimson’d - the problem is we don’t really know what Bruno’s injury is. Nolan is a broken toe, the problem with that is he just has to deal with the pain, he really can’t make it worse. Bruno’s injury might be one that he can’t really damage it any further. The problem with Gabby and why they are taking time is he’s had a recurring problem with both hips and coming back too early might risk the problem in the future. Also, they said the only thing now is getting him back into game-shape, you can’t expect him to come out of surgery/rehab all of a sudden ready to play at an NHL level, especially when his game requires speed. He needs time to build strength and get into shape, do you really want to see him puking on the bench after two shifts? That wouldn’t do much good.
I’m reconsidering my thoughts on Gaborik getting traded. I think Risebrough is going to do it. You’ve gotta think that Gaborik’s comments yesterday were at least a little bit of a dig at Risebrough & Co. and you’d think DR can read between those lines.
Without any true marquis players on the block like a Hossa last year, teams just might get a little bit excited about adding him for the playoffs and a bit of a frenzy might just be generated. Enough to get something decent in return anyway. As much as Risebrough’s idea of him being their impact addition down the stretch has some logic to it, I think it’s not in the team’s best interest. The bridge is burnt and is whatever spark he does give the team really worth letting him walk away for nothing?
I’m probably more optimistic than most on this year’s Wild team (I actually like this year’s team better–at least when Nolan plays–than last year’s), but I also see the most likely scenario if they hold on to Gaborik as follows: They squeak into the playoffs, put up a good fight against San Jose, Detroit or Calgary, but in the end are bounced by a superior team. I do see potential weakness with both Detroit and Calgary, but not so much that I’d bet on the Wild (even with Gaborik and maybe even another deadline addition) against them.
Either way, winning a playoff series, let along getting in, seems like a long shot and so they should move the guy for whatever they can get. Hopefully the feeding frenzy materializes in the next 24 hours.
As for the idea of trading him to a cellar dweller for junk so he’s sure to miss the playoffs… I can’t say I wouldn’t be tempted.
Keeping Gaborik is the biggest chance this team has of getting past the first round. Yes, one player is not a team. I believe that wholeheartedly. But unless we’re just content to make the first round this year again, we need somebody who can score. Gaborik is better than anything we will get in return at the deadline, unless some team is willing to seriously overpay.
Then, in the summer, if we can’t work out a deal, we’ll get the best we can for him. Which, if he stays healthy and produces this year, shouldn’t be a bag of pucks.
Normally I would agree with you but I would rather have Backstrom over Harding or any other prospect we have coming up. The reason… he’s a very cool cat that doesn’t get rattled easy and WANTS TO BE HERE… even before the cash followed.
Is $6 million a lot? Sure… but if you are looking to clear up cap space for a scorer then look no further than Kim and his $5 million a year, or even the $1.25 million wasted on Foster for nothing. There is $6.25 million that could have been spent for a scorer.
To me, keeping Backstrom is a great move, even at that price. Now DR needs to focus on moving Harding for a scorer or someone to help the team move forward. Ottawa, Atlanta and Toronto are all looking for a Harding type goalie and they have lots of talent (and they are sellers) for us to work out a deal with. DR should have those three on speed dial and get a deal done.
JD,
If we don’t trade him before the deadline we don’t get anything for him. His contract is over at the end of this season.
Ok people need to realize that if Gaborik goes to free agency this summer and signs elsewhere, it doesn’t mean the Wild don’t get anything for him walking away. What it means is the team will have over $6 million available to sign another free agent on the market. If we use that money to sign a scorer cause Gabby walks away, that is essentially the same thing as the team trading him for a scorer. Just like last year when Rolston, Demitra and Parrish went to other teams. We didn’t get nothing in return, we used that money to sign Miettinen, Nolan and Bruno.
It is not losing a player for nothing!
You can trade his rights for picks at the draft. I’d rather keep him now, see what damage we can do this year, and then figure out our options. The funny thing about the playoffs is you never know what can happen. If we trade Gaborik for a couple average players, do you see this team getting the playoffs, and even if they do, going past the first round? And long term, you’ve dealt a huge blow to this team. We’d be losing the major offensive piece of the core. For a couple average players.
Unless someone drastically overpays, I’d rather keep him now.
Good point Robert.
AustinTXwildfan - Thank you. And the reason that is important is maybe DR has his eye on someone (or maybe two solid scorers) that he can’t acquire by trading Gabby but would take a stab at during free agency. Why force a trade for a player you might not really want, just to get rid of Gabby, when you can wait till summer and all of a sudden your options open up so much more cause you no longer have to worry about the salary cap of that players team.
Robert, my gripe was mainly about the words Lynn used. Foster’s comeback is one of the most inspiring stories in the league this year. If Lynn were to say what he said about Foster (which he no doubt did at some point), the words would be unconditionally true. But saying the same thing about Gaby comes off as a cheap meaningless phrase that in comparison (IMO) doesn’t seem to stack up to the epicn truthiness of Foster’s recovery. It’s kind like in Seinfeld with describing both Elaine and the ugly baby as “breath-taking.”
Toivo, I understood your perspective. But, it is true also.
He is probably going to be here for the foreseeable future. Though he has been a day late and a dollar short on some key player deals, every GM does have closets full of bones.
Fair enough JD.
Robert, but we need to understand that defensive minded centers, especially Belanger and Koivu do help that statistic too.
Interesting observation Woodcock.
If you look at teams like Detroilet, San Jose to an extent, Boston… the good teams.
They have 2-4 studs that can score and finish and then they surrond those guys with players to help and a few 4th liners. I’d rather have 2-4 studs who will score each night then having ONE star and a bunch of lunch pail guys.. which is kind of what we have now with Gaborik.
Koivu is good, but he’s a 2nd line center on any other team in the NHL. Or than him (and Gabby), is there a person on the Wild roster that would even come close to starting on anyone elses first line? Hell no.
Schmidty, I think you are exactly right on every point you made. That’s why I’m going SGD on the blog and copying your entire post.
What it means is the team will have over $6 million available to sign another free agent on the market.
Not exactly. It will free up some cap space, but they just gave Backstrom a nice raise which bites into their cap space for next season. The other guys on the roster not under contract next season don’t make much so it will be hard to make up any savings there. Maybe they can move Johnsson to free up some space, but otherwise it’s going to be pretty tight.
Andropov set in front of the net could make PMB or Mittens more effective. How is he without the puck?
Dom Moore looked way more solid to me with the Leafs than when he was here before.
Eklund is normally a tool, but I think there might be something to Gho$t being traded to LA.
Gho$t said it’s his kind of town, and he likes the west coast. They have some centers he’d match up well with. They have lots of dough.
Get their 1st round pick (and hope for Tavares), Handzus or Stoll and a prospect.
Or course, they could just wait for July 1 and sign him away from whatever team rented him too…
JD says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
You can trade his rights for picks at the draft. I’d rather keep him now, see what damage we can do this year, and then figure out our options.
———————————
Nooooooooooo……….the only damage that will/would happen is Gho$t will tweak his groin again! Just trade him ASAP!!
He is probably going to be here for the foreseeable future. Though he has been a day late and a dollar short on some key player deals, every GM does have closets full of bones.
Some more boney than others.
Encrimson’d - haha you just gave me a good laugh, that is a great episode of Seinfeld. Your gripe could be well warranted as I think we all know how tough a road Foster had back. I guess the only defense to Gabby is we don’t really know much about his situation so I think it’s hard to tell. I’m not going to disagree with you, but Tom is closer to the situation than any of us. On top of that image is very important right now so I think they are trying to say that Gabby is still committed to working hard and coming back to help the team. I think they are trying to keep morale up and hope alive of the team making a playoff push at the end of the season.
Updates above, BTW. Weller… funny guy.
Robert says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Sports Guru Dan says: The Wild have way too many d-men that can’t actually play any D. A few defensive d-men would be nice.
I suppose that is why the Wild has the lowest GAA of any team this year, and lower than the team had last year when it won the Division.
the reason for that just got a 6M a year contract.
Schmidty says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Also (other.. pewterschimdt), most of the league has come to realize that the Wild put out good goalies.
Roli is playing well for Edmonton and has been their #1 since the trade.
Manny has played solid for Boston and would be their start if Tim Thomas hadn’t come on so strong and Manny didn’t get hurt.
Then we take an unknown in Backstrom and turn him into a top five goalie.
Teams looking for a future #1 goalie (see Ottawa, Atlanta, Toronto) would be thrilled to add a Harding. And since all three are sellers, it works.
Another ArmChair GM trade:
Harding & Johnnson to Atlanta for their #1 pick (in Johnny T. Lottery) and either Todd White or Colby Armstrong
good call since White worked out so well here the first time. seriously come up with something better than that.
Antropov and Moore are officially being held out of tonights game. Didn’t someone earlier syat that Burke and DR have talked several times to day about different players, and none of them where Gaborik.
yeah. Burke was on the FAN 590 in TO and said he and Doug had talked 3 times already today.
Robert, you’re absolutely right about keeping up the image. That’s what annoys me: most all of us are savvy enough to know it’s a front. That being said, even cynics would probably prefer Lynn to be positive (however superficial) instead of heralding our doom.
Toivo, I think DR and other’s comments are to put the best face on what may be the most likely outcome. That does not necessarily mean it is cast in stone.
The Wild just need scoring help. They need it bad, but it is not like they need a makeover.
If you can get the right guy you improve the chances immeasurably.
But, it could be Gaby, with his scoring touch except it may be too late before he can help.
So, maybe Toronto is a likely place to look. If you could get a giant like Andropov to stand in front of the net he makes shots from the blueline more effective or from Mittens or PMB.
Moore brings some different skills but he is doing ok on faceoffs.
But, does the Fritsche pickup make a Dom Moore deal less likely or can they play together?
Robert says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
ow many of Backstrom’s losses this year could you blame on lack of goal support?
all but about 3.
JD says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Keeping Gaborik is the biggest chance this team has of getting past the first round.
They have 0 shot at the playoffs, so what you said doesn’t work.
Sports Guru Dan - I agree he is a huge part of it. But you have to assume Backstrom’s abilities are pretty much the same as they were last year. But, the defense is almost completely different. So yes, Backstrom is great but I think the D is better than last year. The difference Backstrom makes is we would probably be at 155 GA this year as opposed to 142.
Russo: I know you are busy but any insights into why Olvecky in on waivers or why so many notable players around the league are?
From Allan Muir:
“Smart move by [Wild GM Doug] Risebrough,” one Western Conference executive said. “[Backstrom] makes their system work as much as their system helps him. And it’ll help re-establish some good will with their fans. I think he had pretty much burned through his capital there.”
I think that is a hat tip to my fellow DR detractors
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/allan_muir/03/03/trade.deadline.react/?eref=sircrc
Lots of good points being made here today. I enjoy them, I have things to do but am caught up in this.
Almost like we can’t lose.
If we keep Gaby, the key is how quickly he comes back. And, as a rental, we can reuse his cap money to replace him. If they move him for somebody that can help with goal scoring we win either way.
Sports Guru Dan - all but about 3.
Exactly, so that shows my point that Harding really is a very solid goaltender and I think would be a better #1 guy on a team like Atlanta or Washington than what they have now. All Harding needs is some offensive support and I think he would thrive as a #1 guy.
What image is Lynn protecting, if not Gaborik’s? It was Gaborik that stuck his foot in his mouth yesterday, though he said to Falness what Lynn said today. This whole kerfuffle was mainly about the media and others taking Gaborik’s comments and running with them. All it did was make Gaborik look terrible.
Lynn’s a good guy. He knows the players, and he knows what’s really going on. None of us do. I think I take his word over yours, no offense.
I wish those of you that think the Wild can actually make the playoffs would come back to the real world. They have no shot. They will finish the month of March about 5-11 which will make them fall way out of a playoff spot. It’s bad enough the Wild can’t score goals, it’s worse that they spend most of the month on the road. Everyone that can be dumped, should be dumped, because the cupboard is empty and this team needs to rebuild and quick, especially if Lemaire does actually retire, and isn’t around anymore to make this group of bottom feeders look better than their actual talent level.
JD: Keep Gabby? You really think Gabby will take us out of the first round of the playoffs? I don’t. I can recall Gabby being completely worthless in every Wild playoff game I have seen. No one is going to want to “overpay” for him because of his injury. He is too big a risk, which is exactly why you take what you can get. You don’t do what I think DR will do and holdout and get nothing. He doesn’t want to be here, that much is clear. He is not a team player. He is a gifted scorer but he is by no means a savior. Christ, he doesn’t even want to come back until the last handful of games, so how is he even going to get us to the playoffs let alone carry us if we get there?
Robert says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Sports Guru Dan - all but about 3.
Exactly, so that shows my point that Harding really is a very solid goaltender and I think would be a better #1 guy on a team like Atlanta or Washington than what they have now. All Harding needs is some offensive support and I think he would thrive as a #1 guy.
Harding is not, and will not, ever be better then Kari Lehtonen. The Atlanta team defense is pathetic, starting with their captain.
Your3rdgradeenglishteacher says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
JD: Keep Gabby? You really think Gabby will take us out of the first round of the playoffs? I don’t. I can recall Gabby being completely worthless in every Wild playoff game I have seen
Then you should’ve paid more attention when they made their run to the Western Conference Finals. Gaborik finished 2nd in playoff scoring, 1 point behind Duluth boy Jamie Langenbrunner, and Jamie played in 7 more games.
Dan: If Atlanta sucks so bad why do you watch them?
because I love hockey. I watch every game I can.
Your memory must be short then. Take a look at his playoff scoring before the whiteout last year.
As for his injury..in light of his history, I can’t blame Gaborik making sure he’s ready before coming back. Nolan and Brunette, while inspiring and awesome players for what they’re doing, are nearing the end of their careers. Gaborik is just starting his prime, and his injury has to do with his greatest asset. If he screws this up, who knows what his future holds.
A simple comparison bewteen their situations is easy, but I don’t think it’s fair. That said, I want Gaborik to bust his a$$ trying to come back ASAP. If he does that, I’ll be ok with it.
Then you would know that Lehtonen is overrated.
New Jersey should pick up Miroslav Satan, if for nothing else than for the potential sales of Devils jerseys with that last name on them.
DR on NHL Home Ice (XM Radio Ch. 204) now…
for4rest says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Then you would know that Lehtonen is overrated.
far from it.
What’s he saying?
5minute Major: +1 for the Satan - Devils reference!
(Hey, anything to stir the pot in Lou-ville…)
haven’t you ever heard a Doug interview before?? He never says anything.
Sports Guru Dan - I guess it’s a hard argument either way in Atlanta because both goalies have only played for one team and those teams are extremely different in terms of style. It would be interested for those two to swap teams and see how Kari does here and Hards does in Atlanta. I’m not disagreeing with you, Lehtonen could be the better goalie so I might have to back track on that one. But again it is hard to really know because the teams they are on play such a different style. You could say Lehtonen’s numbers would be incredible if he had a defense, but you could also say the same if Harding had an offense. Who knows? I guess that’s what keeps us going haha
DR was asked about what they needed that was out there: DR said that offense isn’t out there (!) and that there’s really nothing they want.
Toivo, I think DR and other’s comments are to put the best face on what may be the most likely outcome. That does not necessarily mean it is cast in stone.
Of course he’s putting the best face on it or setting expectations or whatever. That’s what GMs do. Whatever he says needs to be run through the parser to figure out what he really means.
Now Risebrough is saying that if the Wild do something it will be minor. I’m going to guess that probably means Gaborik is staying and I should have stuck with my initial instinct.
New Jersey and Minnesota are exactly the same in the sense that any goalie can be good at either place. Brodeur gets hurt, Weeks and Clemmenson do an even better job. Roli, Manny, Nik, Harding, all have solid numbers in Minnesota. Poor Lehtonen is left high and dry every game and he still has almost a 91% save.
Wild Road Tripper says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 4:51 pm
DR was asked about what they needed that was out there: DR said that offense isn’t out there (!) and that there’s really nothing they want.
What that really means is:
“We need offense, there is plenty available, but because I have done such a terrible job drafting, wasted picks and the couple prospects we had on bad players, didn’t give Euros a fair shake resulting in them going home, and my complete failure to land any top end free agents, makes it impossible for me to make a deal.”
DR is asked about Harding in light of the Backstrom signing. DR says Harding is ‘in the right place’ due to Backstrom’s consistency and control, good lessons for Harding.
DR is asked about the trade deadline: DR says that no one can do anything due to the shrinking salary cap, that you cannot be as reactive as in the past, and that ‘we will deal with it conservatively’ regarding players on contracts.
DR on Satan: ‘Decision has been forced due to his contract’…
DR on deals: Under 20 league-wide to be made, the draft picks are too valuable to be used as trade bait…
Interview ends.
6 million a year for a 31 year old borderline all star when you have talent behind him? So I guess we made our choice let Gaborik go and keep Backstrom or worse yet keep Backstrom and after letting Gaborik go not going after a goal scorer.
We overpaid big time, this is embarrassing. Theres so many goalies that can get the job done that have proven just as much who are nowhere near 6 million.
Sports Guru Dan - I will agree with you on that. But can you prove Harding wouldn’t post the same save percentage if he was playing? Again I’m not disagreeing with you, it’s just hard to prove. I will agree with you though when you compare NJ and Minnesota. That is part of the reason I don’t think Broduer should have received the Vezina over Nabokov. Everyone said the Devils were a horrible team in front of Brodeur and that’s why he should win, but proof is kind of in the pudding that the team could win without him in net. That kinda throws out that argument. I’m not going to say Nabby didn’t have support, but the fact is he put up better numbers than Brodeur and Marty had great defensive support in NJ. That was just over-looked…
They have no shot.
Sharks, Wings, Flames, Hawks and Canucks in.
Columbus, Edmonton, Wild, Anaheim, Nashville, Dallas and St. Louis. Seven teams for the last three slots. If Nolan plays 15 of the last 20, the Wild make the playoffs. If not, they don’t.
Assuming the Wild don’t go into sell mode, that’s my prediction.
could’ve brought back Roli and Manny for 6M total !!
Mike’s the only one who gets to say “I told you so” in 2 years when the team is choking on that 6 mil a year for their backup goalie.
count out Minnesota and Dallas and probably Anaheim….
leaves you with Columbus, Edmonton, Nashville, and St. Louis for those 3 slots. Depending on who swings the best deals, they will get in.
Mike! Good to see your take is in line with DR of at least a couple of months ago when he was touting the system over Backstrom. Too bad fan pressure made DR go against your opinion
Recchi also sitting tonite. So with Guerin, Antropov, Recchi, Moore sitting and all those guys on waivers, where are the deals.
Big trade coming!
Show starts later tonight, woodcock. I’ll guess we’ll start hearing some news around the time the puck drops in Vancouver tonight.
Sports Guru Dan - I would take the Wild with Nolan consistently in the lineup over St. Louis and Nashville. The question is whether or not Nolan will remain in the lineup. Gabby’s return or a trade for a goal scorer would in my mind put the Wild far ahead of Nashville and St. Louis in terms of ability to make the playoffs.
If Nolan only plays half the remaining games and Gabby doesn’t return until the end of the month, then I will agree with you.
Harding is still a steel at the price he is being paid and there would be no reason to cut him loose.
If Gaborik came back today, sure, they’d have a good shot at the playoffs. Since he said himself he won’t be back til the end of the month, and the most likely trade Doug will make would be Pouliot, Harding, and a 1st to Russia from Chris Simon, the Wild have no realistic shot of making the playoffs. Especially when the majority of the month is spent on the road, and the schedule is ridiculously tough.
Who let Debbie Downer, aka SGD, aka Sports Guru Dan back in? I thought people were warned to not feed him.
SDG… come up with something better? I don’t like White, but he isn’t the centerpiece of that trade.. it’s the #1 pick of ATL’s. Try to see the forest thru the trees please.
Anyone listen to DR on “In the Slot” on XM Radio? I missed because of a teacher conference… they were going to ask him about trading Harding. I know Russo already covered it but I think that was before him and Burke had a Nooner x3.
No trade move ideas:
You cut Weller, send Ovecky back down and pick-up both Morrison and Satan to help create a 2nd #2 line (since we have no real 1st line). You get a center and a winger who have some talent who are UFA’s at the end of the season. Huge upgrades from Weller & Ovecky and we have the cap room to do it. Thoughts?
Does anyone know what time Russo Radio is on tonight?
Schmidty says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
SDG… come up with something better? I don’t like White, but he isn’t the centerpiece of that trade.. it’s the #1 pick of ATL’s. Try to see the forest thru the trees please.
you’re insane if you think ATL would actually give up that pick for anything less then Koivu.
Matt N., apparently that memo got lost in the mail for some people…
Ok people need to realize that if Gaborik goes to free agency this summer and signs elsewhere, it doesn’t mean the Wild don’t get anything for him walking away. What it means is the team will have over $6 million available to sign another free agent on the market. If we use that money to sign a scorer cause Gabby walks away, that is essentially the same thing as the team trading him for a scorer. Just like last year when Rolston, Demitra and Parrish went to other teams. We didn’t get nothing in return, we used that money to sign Miettinen, Nolan and Bruno.
It is not losing a player for nothing!
yes it is, couldv traded those players for some kind of draft picks and still picked up that group of players.
el jay: ‘Russo radio’ 7 PM tomorrow (wednesday) night. Today is Tuesday.
schmidty: See my post above, I listened to the XM ‘In the Slot’ interview and tried to transcribe…
…needless to say I wouldn’t do well as typing TV dialogue for closed captioning…
Have you paid any attention to the Wild at any point Erik?? Seriously, no top end free agent has any interest in playing for Lemaire. They can have 30 million to spend in free agency, but it doesn’t mean anyone would actually come here. Doug and Jack need to be relieved of their duties for this franchise to have the ability to move forward.
SDG - Call me what you want. ATL’s problem isn’t scoring.. they have that. What they don’t have is defense and a Goalie (hence the 2nd worst goals against in the league, yet 12th in goals for). They have just the opposite problem. Would we need to add something to that.. sure, possible even our #1 in a swap, but we would be giving them their future #1 goalie and a defenseman would be an improvement to their club.
Besides, I’m putting out ideas in the hopes DR will do more. They need to trade Harding and get something to make a legit run at the playoffs or add a key piece for the future.
WRT - Thanks. It has been a long day
Bad move (again) DR. Now we can lose 2-0 instead of 3-0 if we didn’t have Backstrom.
6 millions is too much for Backstrom. I would have moved him for offense and gone with Harding.
Wow. Risebrough just took a shot at Russo in an interview with Barreiro on KFAN.
Thanks WRT. Wish they would have grilled him more.
Sorry ATX, I know you are referring to me about “feeding SGD”. Just trying to get some ideas going for moves DR could/should make with Harding now that we have Backstrom locked up and have Brust (or however you spell it) as a worth back-up down in Houston.
what?? ever heard of Ondrej Pavelec ??? time for you to get to know him.
the only trade idea I can think of that is actually feasible without dealing Gaborik would be PMB for Staal. I’m sure they could deal Johnsson and the rest, but they aren’t gonna get much for them. At this point, I’d be perfectly content with the mediocre return all those redundant d-men would bring back. Boston could use Johnsson.
No biggie Schmidty. Others are doing the same. I just ignore the crazy bugger.
BusterRass, what did DR say?
For what? I have to say I’m a little annoyed with Russo, maybe more than a little annoyed.
But what’s DR’s beef?
The single best move by the team all year.
Essentially, Risebrough said that Russo doesn’t understand the “new” NHL and how roster movement does or doesn’t work.
Robert says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Ok people need to realize that if Gaborik goes to free agency this summer and signs elsewhere, it doesn’t mean the Wild don’t get anything for him walking away. What it means is the team will have over $6 million available to sign another free agent on the market. If we use that money to sign a scorer cause Gabby walks away, that is essentially the same thing as the team trading him for a scorer. Just like last year when Rolston, Demitra and Parrish went to other teams. We didn’t get nothing in return, we used that money to sign Miettinen, Nolan and Bruno.
It is not losing a player for nothing!
—————————————-
yes it is, could’ve traded them for draft picks and still spent money on those players. And SGD, I watch every game. So yeah I pay attention to the Wild. Im new to blogging though, so cut me some slack (JA)
AustinTXwildfan says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
No biggie Schmidty. Others are doing the same. I just ignore the crazy bugger.
crazy? never. too sane. absolutely. I deal in the real world while the majority of you seem to live in a fantasy. Wild have no shot at the playoffs, deal with it.
So bad blood between DR and Russo, eh? Michael, your response?
BusterRass says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Essentially, Risebrough said that Russo doesn’t understand the “new” NHL and how roster movement does or doesn’t work.
that may be true…
however, Doug doesn’t understand how to be a GM or how to build a winning team. His entire GM history proves that. He ruined the Oilers, got shown the door. He ruined the Flames, got shown the door. Now he’s ruining the Wild, and our idiot owner loves him and refuses to show Doug the door.
Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore were pulled from the Maple Leafs lineup this evening but won’t likely be dealt until closer to the National Hockey League deadline at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
Earlier in the day, general manager Brian Burke said he was mulling over a late offer from Moore’s agent, Larry Kelly, and that he wasn’t ruling out re-signing Antropov, who is also headed for unrestricted free agency.
Burke had multiple discussions with Minnesota Wild counterpart Doug Risebrough among others yesterday, though the Chicago Blackhawks are a team that’s looking for a faceoff specialist along the lines of Moore, who is a shade under 55% in the circle
If its Dominic Moore, I hope DR had a chat with JL this time
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/03/03/8616861.html
Stop all this hating on Dougie Risebrough and Russo. They both are doing great
Note: this is from the Toronto Sun but I am getting moderated so this is a try w/o the link:
Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore were pulled from the Maple Leafs lineup this evening but won’t likely be dealt until closer to the National Hockey League deadline at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
Earlier in the day, general manager Brian Burke said he was mulling over a late offer from Moore’s agent, Larry Kelly, and that he wasn’t ruling out re-signing Antropov, who is also headed for unrestricted free agency.
Burke had multiple discussions with Minnesota Wild counterpart Doug Risebrough among others yesterday, though the Chicago Blackhawks are a team that’s looking for a faceoff specialist along the lines of Moore, who is a shade under 55% in the circle
If its Dominic Moore, I hope DR had a chat with JL this time
I see a worm with a hook on it… I am not biting that.
I am definitely not holding my breath for DR to do anyhting at all tomorrow.
What’s the deal with Russo taking heat from people? He’s just a reporter guys and gals… a pretty good one I think. But what he says is not the be-all-end-all.
there isn’t nearly enough hockey coverage in “The State of Hockey” and Russo is apart of it.
Somthing I am posting is getting moderated so check out this Wild/Leafs rumor - http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/03/03/8616861.html
didn’t say anything I haven’t already said. Burke was on the FAN 590 in TO and said he talked to Doug 3 times already today.
Please DR.. DO NOT bring Moore back. He was terrible here.
I was in the car listening to the DR interview, and he absolutely took a shot at the Don. Now, I happen to like DR and think he’s doing a fine job, but there’s no sense in picking a fight with a beat writer. Anyone who has taken Media Training 101 knows that.
you think he’s doing a good job huh? what has he done right? Gaborik and Koivu fell in his lap, Burns was a reach that panned out, Jack makes the goalies look good. What else has Doug done that makes you possibly come to the conclusion he’s done a good job?
6GS: If it were Antropov, I could take it. But I really don’t think the Wild want Dominic Moore back, unless ‘Chateau Bow-Wow’ needs another resident now that Gaby is about to finally check out someday this month…
That was a cheap shot DR took at Russo, wasn’t it? Sorry, DR…but the truth of the matter is that Russo understands the NHL’s ’system’ better than even you and TooL do…that’s why Russo is considered one of the best in what he does, and you two are considered one of the worst in what you do.
didn’t say anything I haven’t already said
Is there anything you don’t say?
If its Dominic Moore, I hope DR had a chat with JL this time
Six Goalie System says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Somthing I am posting is getting moderated so check out this Wild/Leafs rumor - http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/03/03/8616861.html
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the sunshine girls are pretty interesting to. lol.
I would love for the Wild to trade for Dom Moore!
Trade for a guy one year, waive him the next and then trade for him again the following year. That would be tremendous!
toivo… I am picking up your sarcasm…
I nominate Russo to be the new Wild GM. Anyone wanna second that?
Erik, that would be an interesting experiment for sure.
Then you would know that Lehtonen is overrated.
far from it.
Are you high? Let-4-more in is nearly the *most overrated goalie since Trevor Kidd pre-injury.
A list of goalies as of games completed March 2nd (thank you again yahoo sports)
Tim Thomas
Pekka Rinne
Steve Mason
Niklas Backstrom
Manny Fernandez
Jonas Hiller
Chris Mason
Nikolai Khabibulin
Scott Clemmensen
Ty Conklin
Cristobal Huet
Tomas Vokoun
Alex Auld
Roberto Luongo
Evgeni Nabokov
Erik Ersberg
Ryan Miller
Henrik Lundqvist
Jon Quick
Cam Ward
Antero Niittymaki
Mike Smith
Dwayne Roloson
Craig Anderson
Miikka Kiprusoff
Carey Price
Marty Turco
Jason LaBarbera
Martin Biron
Marc-Andre Fleury
Jaroslav Halak
Jose Theodore
Dan Ellis
Ilya Bryzgalov
Peter Budaj
Andrew Raycroft
Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Kari Lehtonen
Manny Legace
Chris Osgood
Vesa Toskala
Joey MacDonald
Johan Hedberg
That’s sorted by Goals Against. Save % might get you media coverage, or better contract numbers, but a GAA over three and thirteen wins on the year? O-ver-rate-ed!!! Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap!!!
Move over DR, Russo is on the way !!!!
ATX:
Seriously though, think about it. It would be like a Lewis Black joke.
the sunshine girls are pretty interesting to. lol.
+1
toivo… it is funny for sure.. but I sure wouldn’t be laughing
Seriously though, think about it. It would be like a Lewis Black joke.
+1 for Lewis Black. Damn funny guy.
but I sure wouldn’t be laughing
Not even if we gave him the nickname Starbucks?
(assuming you’ve heard his end of the universe joke)
toivo… I have not heard the joke… I better you tube that.
What is with all the Lehtonen bashing. i live in this dump (ATL) and watch more than a few games (live and tv)…the guy is good and would be borderline excellent almost anywhere except ATL.
Nope… I have heard that before. It is very funny!
You could go visit Ms. C and visit the end of the universe together. It’s in Houston.
haha, yeah I wonder if she has been there…
Great, now we have the players in place to make a playoff run…oh wait…this is really a status quo move. Glad we signed Backs, but we need a wee bit more talent to make a playoff run. Doug, what are you going to do????
I wish this “team” mentality by Gabby and the Wild had been in effect when I was in college. Who knew once you get injured it releases you from performing any sort of activities with the team and watching their games. I hurt my knee and was out for three weeks and my coaches made me travel with them to make sure I was still being part of the team and showing my support. Here I could have been back home getting hammered and increasing my standing on the House Alcohol Consumption Tracker. Stinking college coaches, they have no idea what being part of a team means.
I disagree that we should be satisfied with cap space when Gaborik walks. We could get cap space along with a pick if we trade Gaborik.
Furthermore, DR, thus far, has not shown that he could bring an elite or close to an elite player to the Wild.
FOOD
darkknight9 says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Then you would know that Lehtonen is overrated.
far from it.
Are you high? Let-4-more in is nearly the *most overrated goalie since Trevor Kidd pre-injury.
it’s the team you tool, not the goalie. furthermore, going by fantasy rankings is stupid, going by Yahoo’s fantasy ratings is the dumbest thing you possibly could use to back your “point.” Yahoo! rankings are a joke. They overvalue some things, undervalue others, it isn’t a realistic picture of anything. Lehtonen has almost a 91% save. what that tells us is that he makes a lot of saves, and his terrible team lets up way too many shots.
I dont usde fantasy ratings, I use stats published by yahoo, updated daily from the NHL. I havent played fantasy sports since I was in my 20’s.
In case you need a link, here goes:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/stats
Let-4-more-in has a .908 save%. Not an “almost” not a “guru fantasy rounding”, its .908 as of last night. There are **27** other goalies in the NHL this year that have played a minimum of 21 games that have higher save percentages. In case your interested, the range of save % for all goalies this year (with 21 or more games played) is min: .880, max: .933
Unfortunately, .908 doesnt even make the top half of that list. And, you can blame the “team” all you want…. he’s not. that. good. He’s not even average (which would be .910 out of all goalies who have played 21 or more games this year.)
These are facts. They are not shabbily formed opinions, fantasy rankings, nor are they based on emotional observations.
Next thing you know you’ll go after ATL’s GM for not putting a good enough defensive core in front of your boyfriend.
they are shabbily formed opinions. Most those goalies that are “ahead” of young Mr. Lehtonen, if they were to change places with Kari, I guarandamntee Lehtonen’s stats would would be better then theirs are with their current team, while theirs would be worse then the output Kari has had.
they are shabbily formed opinions. Most those goalies that are “ahead” of young Mr. Lehtonen, if they were to change places with Kari, I guarandamntee Lehtonen’s stats would would be better then theirs are with their current team, while theirs would be worse then the output Kari has had.
And that’s why *you are a blogger, and not a gm.
These are statistical facts. For example, its a fact that for tonight, Let-4-more-in is at a whopping .850 sv% after two periods against that offensive juggernaut… the Florida Panthers.
Consequently for anyone else still reading this, he’s let…. wait for it…
…4 goals in….
Your opinion is only yours…. stats, like names on the cup, are nearly forever.
I would’nt be suprised if DR shopped Nik only to see that he could’nt get fair value or fit the cap numbers. His next option was to sign him or lose him and we could’nt afford that. Nik is a top 5 goalie in the NHL right now and he got paid like one. I’d hold onto Harding until the summer when there will be a bigger market and teams get their cap sit straightened out.
I think they have to trade Gabby for whatever they can get but I think teams will just wait until this summer. gabby’s injury really put us in a bind.
