St. Louis Blues 5, Wild 3; Brunette playing on ACL tear, faces surgery decision
Posted on March 15th, 2009 – 9:00 PMBy Michael Russo
First of all, the news of the day, but I’ve confirmed through different avenues that left wing Andrew Brunette is playing on at least a partially torn right ACL and maybe a fully torn ACL.
Neither Brunette, nor GM Doug Risebrough, would confirm the exact injury, but both confirmed that Brunette has a major decision to make after the season regarding surgery. You can read the story in Monday’s paper or on the Star Tribune Wild page in a few minutes.
Brunette said he’ll “probably” have it, especially if it’s going to be like this again next season.
You would not believe the things I’m seeing daily from the gutsy Brunette. It is taking a lot to get him to play. When he gets off the buses or moves through the hotels, he can barely walk. It’s taking lots and lots of treatment to get him on the ice, and yet he’s still producing and playing well.
If the Wild goes belly-up here, you just have to wonder if he’s going to shut it down.
And let’s be honest: The Wild’s season is slowly dying.
You can couch it anyway you’d like – and yes, the Wild’s still only a point back from the playoffs – but really, is there any reason to believe the Wild’s suddenly going to discover how to reel off a winning streak?
Not at all, and coach Jacques Lemaire said after tonight’s game that in his mind, Marian Gaborik is not close to returning. We’ll see this week.
Again we can use funny numbers to blur the record, but the reality is, the Wild is facing must-wins every single night and has dropped nine of the past 11 games (2-5-4).
And even though nobody in this playoff bubble has been able to go on a run yet, trust me, it’ll eventually take a winning streak by the Wild to make the playoffs. And like I’ve said ad nauseum, the Wild barely can win these days, let alone win more than two in a row (something it hasn’t accomplished since the middle of November).
The Wild tripped down to 11th, meaning there’s a traffic jam to jump over now.
The players know, too. You can see it on their disappointed faces after the game. So does Lemaire. He looked defeated after the game. And so much for all those games in hand the Wild had the past few months. Funny thing about games in hand, but you’ve got to WIN THEM to matter.
In yet another game, the Wild fell behind 3-0, then 4-1, again tonight. Yet, it showed desperation late like it always does and tried to complete the comeback, but after trimming it to 4-3, it paid for its undisciplined play early in the game.
The Wild gave up three power-play goals to tie a team record (two 5-on-3’s, one 4-on-3). You can read the gamer for details on Cal Clutterbuck and Marek Zidlicky’s costly penalties, but there were ill-timed penalties all night. Even in the first after David Backes scored, the Wild had a glorious chance to tie. But 10 seconds after Brandon Crombeen took a penalty, Marc-Andre Bergeron two-handed Jay McClement to negate the power play.
Just a momentum killer. Then, the parade to the box began in the second. Niklas Backstrom should have stormed off the ice during the whole thing. It was bordering on abuse. When he was yanked, the Wild was being outshot 29-11. At one point, the Wild was being outshot 26-7. The final shot count was 36-22, which shows how the Wild became desperate too late again. Backstrom’s faced more tap-ins recently than I’ve seen all season.
OK, that’s it for me. Papa Stensaas on the Wild for practice Monday as I take a nap.
98 Responses to "St. Louis Blues 5, Wild 3; Brunette playing on ACL tear, faces surgery decision"
Do not want to type this but since I have never done this before…
First!
Team looks tired and needs a jump start from a guy named Mary Anne Gaborikova. Why would JL even give a crap if Gabby is not ready. He is still better than half the team.
Gotta love the heart Bruno brings to the ice.
I guess I cant agree with the Wild season dieing comment by Russo. It would not be surprising to Mister Know it all, if the Wild take the next 9 out of the next 10 points. In my mind if the Wild do that, I doubt people will be thinking the season is dieing at that point.
The only thing that will seriously deflate this team is if Gaby comes back in the line up and then gets hurt again, otherwise this team will perform well in the next 5 games I think
I see good things. The Giant killer will be if Gaby comes back and is hurt right away
We should see Gaby by Friday or Sunday
MKIA: How many drinks have you downed tonight? The only thing that will seriously deflate this team?? This team is already AT that point, brother.
can someone just hit the delete button for MKIA’s posts? everyone of them is the same old senseless, unintelligible banter. And he needs to learn how to spell! with the exception of himself and the turd guru dan, we all know he’s a complete moron, but c’mon already!
Honestly, going into the season I said they had no shot at the playoffs and I certainly am not wrong. When your big off season moves are geriatric Owen Nolan and Miettinen, you have no shot. Throw in our incompetent gm failed to bring in any actual scorers, and it was a recipe for failure. He can use the lack of Gaborik as his excuse all he wants, but due to Gaborik’s history, it should be no surprise he’s been hurt. Risebrough has successfully sunk this franchise into nothingness and just like Edmonton, nobody wants to come here to play. Due to the complete lack of talent on the NHL roster as well as in the minors, the Wild are in for a Toronto like run unless the entire ship is blown up.
I think at this point, doctors and the Wild need to shut down Bruno and play the the other healthy scratches. You have to make do with what’s available.
I haven’t really noticed Bruno except for that goal the other day. While he is still important, I would rather he get himself healthy.
Sorting out points, the OT & SO losses, and all that in the standings can fuzz the real simple essence of their record:
The Wild is 32-37.
That’s not a respectable record for a legit playoff contender. If a record like that gets you in, you shouldn’t last long anyway.
I love this team. But they can’t seem to do any of these, let alone with consistency or conviction…
- get an early lead,
- hold any lead,
- win on the road,
- string together any wins,
- play solidly for a full 60 minutes,
- score goals,
- avoid stupid penalties daily (#3 MZ!),
- win when they don’t absolutely have to,
…and so on.
This will be an interesting and telling summer for the Wild. It should also prove if DR has any skill at being able to create a solid, long-term solution/plan for this very average team.
MNBREW- I think Risedork has had MORE than enough opportunities to create a long-term plan/solution. The skill part? He doesnt have it.Poor trades, lousy draft choices, bringing up and expecting kids to be solid contributors on a team w/very few skilled scorers, letting time-tested, proven leaders/scorers walk and getting nothing in return.. Oh, and the Gaborik fiasco. The only skill Risedork has is the “skill” of running a franchise into the ground. Calgary: Mission Accomplished. Minnesota: Mission Accomplished. Memo to Risedork: Go run another franchise into the ground. You’ve done more than enough damage here. Beat it!
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
Sunshine, with all due respect I couldn’t disagree with you more in regards to Bruno. He’s setting a phenomenal example of leadership. Hopefully some of the younger guys are taking notice. If Bruno indeed has to go under the knife, who knows when he’ll make it back, if he even wants to go through the process. Regardless of what happens, the choice should be up to Bruno. He’s earned it.
i hope the wild miss the playoffs for one reason - it is time for a new regime….
I am so sick of boring ass hockey in this state…..bill mahoney did it with the stars in the mid 80s ask louie and he will confirm….boring ass hockey has no place in this state…
but it is not like we have anything to build on….may have to suck dong for a couple years and rebuild with the draft ala chicago……..
it is depressing watching the current wild product mope around the ice etc…..
get koivu some one who can actually take his passes - fritsche sux goat balls……ovelcky sux goat balls…..shepard is pathetic…..PMB is unglodly awful and should shoot the puck and quit doing his pirouettes…….mietenen is ok but he is miettenen - brunete and nolan are solid but they arent the answer……clutterbuck is about the only thing that is worth watching!
and where the hell is burns??? flu takes your ass out for a week???
and burns needs to find his shot soon……
Brunette is slow as hell anyway. Have a torn knee isn’t going to effect much when it comes to him.
Back in the day guys played with broken legs and hands and whatever else. I don’t know when players got so soft, must’ve been when all the cash was thrown at them.
gus says:
March 15th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
and where the hell is burns??? flu takes your ass out for a week???
where is Burns? don’t you read anything? he has concussion like symptoms and he’s out til he’s better.
The next five games will tell the story, If they are not in the top 8 going into the back to back at Calgary and Edmonton they are done. The way they’ve been playing the have a shot at 6 points in the next 5 games and need them all, can’t settle for anything less and stay in, at NJ and at NYR i’m counting as losses.
As a Wild fan, this season has been second only to the 04-05 season as the most difficult and frustrating of all time. Personally I hope the Wild doesn’t make the playoffs so we A) might have a chance for a higher draft pick(?) and B) there’s some actual changes made for next year. Is anyone else concerned that our leading goal-scorer is Owen Nolan?! I mean don’t get me wrong, he looks like a solid veteran pick-up but he’s leading the team in goals! Where the heck is our young talent!!!??!
You know, regardless if they make the draft or not, Doug can’t draft. Another problem is, he dealt away our 2nd and 3rd rounders for Zidlicky and Bergeron as well as Ryan Jones. Plus, Pouliot was misused and is now left in the AHL to rot, exactly where Gillies and Sheppard should be, not Pouliot. Also, you have the Euros that went home because they weren’t given a fair chance to make the team.
This franchise has minimal talent on the NHL roster, no talent in the minors, no prospects, no draft picks, and the best player is about to walk out the door along with coach Jack. This franchise is going to be just like Toronto the next few years unless some miracle is pulled off.
Asked Friday to respond to such an indictment, Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough said, “I feel that that is consistent with the league. I think the coaching perspective is of their own team. I have a perspective that that is pretty consistent with the whole league.”
Risebrough said he believes the NHL is made up of three or four elite teams and that 20-plus others are on nearly identical footing.
“The difference between a lot of the teams is so fine, you can’t even statistically find it. You can’t,” Risebrough said. “Take this team — our goals-against is good (second in the NHL), our goaltending is good, our power play is good (11th), our penalty kill is good (first), the coaching’s at a high level.
“OK, 5-on-5 (29th for, eighth against) isn’t what it should be. So in five of those [categories], we’re in the top third of the league. So what’s the problem? We’re all the same, so it’s how you’re feeling about how you are.”
Print this off and send it back with your season ticket renewal bill.
I agree with you Sunnyside, just pull Brunette. We have healthy scratches sitting in the press box. The season is all but over anyways. Brunette isnt near as effective as he is healthy. Dont risk hurting his knee to the point of no return. It isnt like we are going to make a big playoff run anyways. I hope Maryanne is reading this about guys gutting it out and playing hurt, not playing at 100%.
It is time for the Wild to look toward next season, the playoffs might happen, but they won’t get out of the first round. Lemaire is ready to leave and doesn’t care either.
Bruno and Nolan need to start preparing their bodies for next year. Gaborik MIGHT come back for a couple of games and WILL be gone.
I feel for Backstrom, his defense is tired and has stopped playing. I think he might be regretting signing that contract now.
The refs were horrible yesterday by the way.
At this point, I agree. Send Brunette for surgery. Hold Burns out as long as is necessary. Play Gillies, play Weller, play Foster. Heck, play Scott too and sit Zidlickey and Bergeron. Give those players some experience. That would be the easy choice if the Wild were just a few more points behind. As it is, they’re just good enough for Brunette to keep playing hurt (maybe causing more damage). IMHO it is highly unlikely that they make the playoffs. Even in the event that they do, I highly doubt they could win 4 games out of 7.
I’m thinking part of the willingness for Brunette and Nolan to play injured is due to their age. They know that this could be their last contract. They don’t need to ‘preserve’ their bodies because they don’t have the potential to play for 10 to 15 more years (like Gaborik). They know this. They know that their time frame for winning the Cup is closing. Each and every year could be their last chance so they may as well play as hard as they can.
That said, I applaud their effort, their willingness to play through pain and sacrifice their bodies for the ‘team’. Thank You
Risebrough isn’t shocked by Brunette’s attitude. “He knows that we need him, and he’s not taking the easy way out,” Risebrough said. “The most impressive thing with him is there wasn’t a, ‘Let me see how it feels in two weeks.’ He’s like, ‘I’ll see if I can play tomorrow.’”
Once again this is the player DR told us we didn’t need in the post lockout NHL - Alexandre Daigle had more upside as a vet said Smug. I agree with sunshine, shut him down, the leadership point has been made. Might as well dial back Nolan as well and actually build a team that could use these guys next year. I hope Smug looked in the mirror after his quitters rant the other day 
apparently not eating for three days has weakened my brain below the low, low threshold at which it usuall operates, and I left two posts on the prior thread this morning.
kj: you looked like, well, kj. 
But it was cool to see you representing in the face of a butt kicking on the Wild.
Dad in MN brought the following to my attention, and it’s pretty cool:
NiNY…that’s what makes me ‘that guy’ 
This is the team we have.
Smug = Michael Scott
So much for DR’s new no complaining/excuse making policy. I see Clutterbuck is whining about his double minor and Backstrom is still screaming about goaltender interference.
I’ve been traveling the last three weeks so I don’t know if it has been discussed, but Backstrom’s rebound control appears to be a little questionable lately. I’ve seen a lot of pucks bounce off his glove that probably should have been caught. He also seems to leave a lot of rebounds in the slot that probably could have been deflected to the corners.
I will stick up for MKiA here. No point in fans wallowing in self pity when you have a choice.
Sunshine brought up a good point. It is great that Nolan and Burnette are warriors and examples to show a young team “what putting the team first and playing with serious injuries means”.
But, if it does not matter to make the playoffs then take them off the ice because it will make a difference … if not to their hockey playing days at least to their life after hockey.
Also, there is a point on the graph where instead of playing a tired and injured star a rested and ready less skilled player would provide more in return.
Personally, I think Burnette and Nolan are playing because of their pride and not because of their contract.
That’s it entirely Ice…they(IGoW,Bruno) don’t know any other way.
We’re getting ready for the long drive home.
An usher gave birthday girl Hannah a practice puck and a Blues fan sitting behind her bought her a Wild pick from the Blues Store. Just goes to show that hockey fans are cool everywhere.
So, Smug will spin this disaster of a season as one of ‘growth’ for the club. Sounds like excuse grabbing to me.
Ok, so the auto-correct of my iPhone swapped pick for puck, hopefully y’all knowed what I was meanin’
An usher gave birthday girl Hannah a practice puck and a Blues fan sitting behind her bought her a Wild pick from the Blues Store. Just goes to show that hockey fans are cool everywhere.
that’s pretty cool! Safe home, guys.
Just get home safely with them little’uns, kj…looks like you’ll have a good day weather-wise all the way home..
The Wild management will try to make chicken salad out of this chicken(bleep) excuse-filled season, then try to charge the STH’s more for it…
kj: Yeah, those Blues fans around us were nice, until they started screaming for DQ Blizzards…then they got a bit loud…the things people will do for ice cream…
so, comparing last year and this year, through 69 games,
The Wild was 37-26-6
The Wild is 32-29-8
The Wild HAD scored 185 goals (including 8 in OT/SO).
The Wild HAS scored 177 goals (7 in OT/SO).
The Wild HAD allowed 187 goals (6 in OT/SO).
The Wild HAS alllowed 173 goals (8 in OT/SO).
The Wild WAS 30-4-3 (81.1%) when scoring first.
The Wild IS 24-9-2 (68.6%) when scoring first.
I scream, Blues scream, we all scream for ice cream?
Sounds like excuse grabbing to me.
Groin-Grabbingly excuse making even
- Good numbers NINY and I will be the first to admit that this team has done a lot without #10 although the Ls when leading first should be noted. However, as someone mentioned above, you can’t just pencil in #10 for 82 games and the Wild options at wing were so bad when down #10 and #11 that they probably did Burns a serious disservice with extended play up front.
NiNY…those numbers indicate that the rest of the conference did more in the off-season to improve.
Can you count on more from Sheppard next year?
What ’scorer’ will UFA bring?
Who will be coaching?
If we thought Smug had a lot of work to do last summer…
Can you count on more from Sheppard next year?
can he possibly produce less? (if healthy)
kj,
If Risebrough remains the GM of this team we can expect our scoring UFA to be PJ Axelsson, Chad Larose, or maybe at best Sammy Pahlsson. Wait…none of those guys can actually score? They are third liners for other teams and will try to be passed off as 1st liners for the wild? Sounds familiar (Miettinen).
IF CL decides to help this team for the future and fire DR maybe we could get a guy like Erik Cole, Marian Hossa, Franzen, Koivu, or Kovalev. Lemaire is most likely retiring so offensive free agents might want to come here next year. Maybe we could even pull off trades to get early round (1-3) draft picks before the draft.
NiNY, how many of last years W’s were OT SO wins?
Thompson…
Trades…only if Smug is gone.
Otherwise he might swap Harding for someone like Kovalev or Antripov.
The crowd was 19,000 plus yesterday. 25 sellouts this year too. Isn’t it nice to see the Norris Division returning to respectability? Too bad our 300+ sellouts haven’t helped to do the same in the SoH.
NiNY, if not for those five fewer W’s (10 pts) they would be about where the Nucks are right now.
But they are not playing with confidence as a team. They look exhausted.
NiNY, how many of last years W’s were OT SO wins?
8
versus 7 this season.
through 69 games
Last year the Wild was 8-5 in OT/SO.
This year, the Wild is 7-8 in OT/SO
through 69 games
Last year the Wild was 11-9-3 against the NW division.
This year the Wild is 6-9-3 against the NW division.
The thought occurs that if JL is the reason FA’s don’t want to come to the Wild, and if JL is retiring after this season, let’s hope DR can get JL’s decision and hire a new coach prior to July 1. I’d hate to have JL still possibly on as coach on July 1 and scare away FA’s (again, if he does so). Perhaps worse might be to be coach-less on July 1.
last year the Wild was 4-4-1 against the Eastern Conf.
This year the Wild is 11-3-1 against the Eastern Conf.
Goody: yeah, but if KC (and the Sunshine band) is the new bench boss, all bets are off in that department.
This team is going nowhere!Coaching like Lemaire.The team has a d man with a hundred mile an hour shot and a great passer and proven goal scoring dman (Foster) and they sit him and play a guy that cannot pass ,shoot or SKATE(SCott)I think there has to be JL and DR cooking something up.Lemaire is over the hill,two years ago.He has lost the winning touch!!
proven goal scoring dman (Foster)
20 goals in 177 games = proven goal scorer?
The team has a d man with a hundred mile an hour shot and a great passer and proven goal scoring dman (Foster)
FYI, Fozzie has scored a whopping 20 goals in 177 career NHL games. He has 71 career points. That’s 0.11 goals per game and .40 points per game.
I realize we all feel bad for Foster, the way his last year has gone. But this tendency to re-cast him in Orr-ian reverence is unnecessary.
6GS: beat me to it.
The use of “Orr-ian” made the point stronger though - Foster best replaces MAB or Zids in the lineup unless you think Skoula, Johnsson and Schultz bring enough physical play to render Scott meaningless
Agreed. We kept looking at Foster as if he were the second coming when he was injured. We all love the guy but at best he was a #6 D who has a strong shot that rarely is on net.
every one settle down we have 13 games to prove if we are in or out so do the other 6 teams battling for 6 - 8 so its just who wants it more and how many breaks a team can get ala the refs
speaking of the refs what a joke yesterday in st louis no wonder why the blues won 5 on 3 for 4 minutes because of why? a penalty that was not even a penalty his sick got up because he was the one that did it these penaltys for 4 minutes are a joke
That sounds like excuse grabbing Mark! Just kidding man.
If any of you think Lemaire retiring will turn Risebrough in to an elite GM then I want what ever you are smoking. Lemaire has turned piss in to lemonaide for over 8 seasons. The only thing that we have to look forward to is finally getting lottery picks the next few seasons. Hopefully Risebourgh & Co. have been removed from office by then.
I still say go after S. koivu, camerelli, Leopold, and bowmeester….
Then you have lines like this
Forwards
Butch, Koivu, Cammerelli
Bruno, Koivu, Mittens
Nolan, Fritz, Clutterbuck
Gillies, Sheppard, Boogard
D-men
Bowmeester, shultz
Burns, (bruiser picked up in trade/fa)
Leopold, Scott
Harding is a good trade bait for that bruiser….
The wild go deep in the playoffs with that lineup…..the question is, can they afford those pickups, and is there a better option than camerelli out there?
If you can get a better forward (gabby teir…-injurys….) available….with that player, we go even farther….
I just don’t see anyone that can fit better than cammy with butch…anyone know of anyone better? (that we can afford)
mark wild says:
March 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am
every one settle down we have 13 games to prove if we are in or out so do the other 6 teams battling for 6 - 8 so its just who wants it more and how many breaks a team can get ala the refs
Maybe it’s the IRR colored glasses, but in my eyes the Wild never want it more and the Wild never get breaks from the refs.
Nick, yeah, the sunshine band would probably be perceived as the same boat, but mostly I’m just hoping something would be resolved prior to July 1. I think it could have a big impact on how DR might go about building next year’s team.
Our problem is still offensive firepower and amazing inconsistency. But last night it was the damn penalties. Neither our D nor our goaltending is our problem. Yes, our D could be more physical but they also block a lot of shots and prevent some good scoring chances and Backs is still a top goalie. Every good goalie struggles at some point–look at Kipper who is killing my fantasy team at the moment.
and can we get a better gm to make these deals…..should have been the first sentance….
every one settle down we have 13 games to prove if we are in or out so do the other 6 teams battling for 6 - 8 so its just who wants it more
that’s all well and good, mark. But what has the Wild done this season to give you any indication that they intend to “want it more” than enough of the other teams around them in the standings?
Goody, that does seem to be true. We don’t get many breaks and we don’t seem to play hard for three periods even when we are in the stretch drive.
sadly this team wont do anything……they do enough to get your hopes up (i.e. the last 10 minutes of the game last night)….then they wilt….
it has been a rough season…..kind of glad I missed most of it……
it will come down to the last two days of the season 11th and 12th
wild at columbus and blues at avalanche
the other teams will nor factor at that time i still believe in the wild but the blues are the best team goung right now out of the 6 battling go blues!!!!!!
even if the teams make the playoffs (wild blues oilers predators stars ) no chance against either the sharks or the wings
ps likeing the bluejackets right now to playing well and will make a run in the playoffs
I must agree 100% with SGDan’s assessment of how Smug has run this franchise into the ground. I will also go the final step and say that we ARE, most definitely ARE, in for a Toronto-like run for this organization. Our NHL product is of AHL quality, there are virtually NO NHL-caliber players in Houston to bring up, and we have no mid-round draft picks, where you get some of your best players from, in this year’s draft. And as has been stated before, with this GM and this management in-place, the Wild WILL NOT get front-line, high-profile, big-name star players to come here. Get that through you heads all you Wild Kool-Aid sippers, ’cause it’s the hard, cold reality of the situation that has been created by Smug and Co.
And even if Mr. Leipold does “blow up” this franchise, which I highly doubt he will, it will take SEVERAL years to get this team anywhere close to being consistently competitive again. It AIN’T gonna happen overnight boys and girls.
It will be interesting to see how the ST renewals do after this Friday 3/20. Lots, and I do means LOTS of pissed-off STH’s in the stands these days. Myself, I will renew. Mostly because of all the friends made at the X over the years, and games to me are now more like a “family and friends” night than a hockey game. But as for the product being trumped out there lately, I ain’t renewing because of that.
Knock, Knock…Craig Leipold. Are you listening? Stop up to the 200-level some night and you can talk to a whole boatload of other fans who will say EXACTLY the same thing!!!!
Whoa, timewarp. The blog’s all the way back to AiH’s 7:56 post. Where’d the entire morning go?
I just love all the referee blaming. Gimme a break people!! Good teams, or teams that “want it”, don’t need breaks from the refs and don’t use that as an excuse when they lose.
Penalties are penalties, no matter what color of glasses you’re watching a game through.
The boys with the armbands on are not even close to being ANY part of the problem as to why the Wild are where they are.
you have to admitt the penalties are terrible for all the teams
the wild will be just fine they will beat the avalanche beat the devils beat the oilers and then they will gon that 4 game road trip and split 2-2 then they will win out the rest of the way
making them 11-2 and on the way to the cup
ps i dont even drink
Myself, I will renew.
Baaaaaaaaa…baaaaaaaaaa….baaaaaaa…
Nothing will ever change with this frachise precisely because of people like you. The Wild will continue to sell out every game and continue to have their mythical waiting list to point to.
“Well gosh folks, a-huh a-huh, even though I hate the boring product, I guess I’ll keep paying thousands of dollars for it, cos me n my friends sure lovvvve hockey! Team of 18000! Greatest fans in the world!”
Honestly, how anyone can pay literally thousands of dollars a year to watch this crap is beyond me. How many “FUN” home games have their been this year? 3? 4? Just keep buying it though…Keep selling the place out. What a bunch of sheep!
Knock, Knock…Craig Leipold. Are you listening? Stop up to the 200-level some night and you can talk to a whole boatload of other fans who will say EXACTLY the same thing!!!!
Geno, it’s not just the 200 level. CL can make a visit to my section in the Club level and some of my friends in the 100 level as well. He’d find distaste and grumbling everywhere.
I’m just sick of listening to DR trying to spin things and make his own excuses, whether he thinks so or not, about his inability to improve the team. Everyone else seems to be improving their teams in some way or another. DR needs to wake up and take a long look in the mirror.
If any of you think Lemaire retiring will turn Risebrough in to an elite GM then I want what ever you are smoking. Lemaire has turned piss in to lemonaide for over 8 seasons.
That is exactly my comment to the JL haters here, getting rid of him likely means DR has even more control of the franchise.
Wow, Russoville is snarly today. Oh yeah, the Wild…
Really, it’s a lot easier if you just accept that the season is over and they’re not making the playoffs.
Well, for the apparent JL lovers, if DR has more control after JL leaves, doesn’t that equal more rope to hang himself with? If JL has done such a good job of making lemonade, hasn’t he then done a good job of hiding DR’s incompetence?
I too will renew my season tickets (actually already did) because I like NHL hockey. Even if we were in last place in the NHL I would renew. Doesn’t mean I won’t criticize DR for failing to do something about Gaby or failing to do something at the deadline but I will still renew. Meanwhile I hope we sign Saku and Cammalleri (or similar talents) in the offseason. Even if we didn’t touch the D corps that would make a huge difference on this team.
Don’t mistake me for a JL hater. I fully realize he’s made quite a bit of lemonade. I’d kind of like to see what he could do with a handful of very talented forwards willing to play his system.
I think you can like hockey and want to buy tickets and still be frustrated, no? Isn’t that the point of being a fan?
Look, the baseline is that any Wild hockey - bad or not - is better than what we had after the Stars left.
But to not expect better is to not hold up our end of the bargain, IMO.
and I don’t think anyone here is in a position to tell anyone else how to spend their hard earned pennies.
Hey Sheep,
I strongly suggest you enroll yourself in a reading-comprehension class before posting again. Apparently, you have issues in that department.
I think I clearly stated why I enjoy going to games and why I choose to renew, and it AIN’T the product on the ice. But you missed that part I guess.
Dee-Dee-Dee!!!!!
P.S. I hear the T-Wolves are lookin’ for some fans. Why don’t you head over there, you might enjoy that “product” a little better.
NiNY, Amen. The years without the NHL were tough.
I would say Bruno needs to sit and get surgery ASAP. He’s a trooper, but it’s not worth getting a career-ending injury now, or aggravating an injury by playing through it. The Wild are done this year; I don’t think anybody denies that. If they somehow squeak into the playoffs, they are going to get swept, with or without Bruno.
kj: Smug= Michael Scott
That’s perfect, I seriously lol’ed there.
I just came to. After I read the post about Fozzie being a proven goal scorer, I fell backward and hit my head on the desk. At his current goal-scoring pace, as soon as the NHL goes to a 446-game regular season, he will post a 49-goal season and shatter Paul Coffey’s record of 48. And here I thought Nux fans were stupid.
“”that’s all well and good, mark. But what has the Wild done this season to give you any indication that they intend to “want it more” than enough of the other teams around them in the standings?”" NiNY, but neither has any of the other teams in the same category!
JL was correct last night, it was the penalties and specifically the timing of the penalties.
But, maybe it comes from a young team that is not responding to a grueling schedule! Every game is a key, no doubt every mistake is revisited. They are playing like it is a job, not like it is fun!
It is no surprise to anyone t hat I do not think DR is the problem or that a replacement would necessarily be a solution. There has been more bad luck than bad decisions.
Same with JL, he is a HOF coach and will be as long as he wants to coach.
The Wild have had good goals waived off, and maybe other teams do too. But, just a lot of bad puck luck.
There needs to be tweaking before next season. I would like to see the team work through the adversity to see if they young guys can grow!
NiNY, but neither has any of the other teams in the same category!
fair enough, and I love the optimism, I really do.
There has been more bad luck than bad decisions.
Can’t agree with this.
When Shep is in alone on a partial breakaway 7 feet from the top of the crease and sends a blind drop pass that gets picked off instead of shooting, that’s a bad decision.
When PMB forsakes an open lane to the net for a circle-back and gets knocked off the puck and we lose control without even getting a shot off, that’s a bad decision (granted, he’s been better lately.)
When the Wild puts up single-digit shots on goal in 12 of their last 18 regulation periods (including twice when they had single digits in all three periods in a game!) it can’t be bad luck preventing those shots from hitting the goalie/going in.
When MAB or Zids fails to pick up the trailer, or Mikko fails to skate hard on the back check, or Boogaard goes ape, or Backs goes into the b-fly too soon, those are bad decisions, not bad luck.
I believe that you make your own luck. If they Wild isn’t getting any the first place they should be looking is the mirror.
“”NiNY - Look, the baseline is that any Wild hockey - bad or not - is better than what we had after the Stars left.”"
NiNY, the truth is that the Wild Hockey, (this year is a possible exception but we are still in the hunt) has been better than the North Stars except for just a couple years!
I was s die hard North Star fan, but the record shows they were pathetic many of those years!
when did the league do away with the divisional playoff format?
But, just a lot of bad puck luck
That’s textbook groin-grabbing excuse making right there. Let’s have a “We Are A Better Franchise Than The North Stars” parade
according to wiki, 92-93 was the last year of divisional playoffs.
The Stars left after the 92-93 season.
The (North) Stars made the playoffs in 15 of their 26 seasons, for a 57.69% success rate (of making the playoffs.)
The Wild has made the playoffs in 3 of 7 seasons, for a 42.85% success rate.
The (North) Stars made the playoffs in 15 of their 26 seasons, for a 57.69% success rate (of making the playoffs.)
Correct me if I am wrong but that means the North Stars finished last out of the 5 teams in the Norris 11 out of 26 times - ouch, IceMan did suffer a lot.
good point, 6GS. Interestingly, from 79-80 to the end (*sob*), they only missed the playoffs 3 times (14 seasons.)
NiNY, I was referring to DR decisions like not getting Gaby resolved before he got injured.
But, this is all from the perspective of where we think it is reasonable for the Wild to be right now.
If we think they should be able to compete evenly with the Detroit this year, then we have a fair ways to go and it understandable why people want to blow the place up and restart.
But, I have never felt that was a reasonable expectation yet.
If we are satisfied that they are still growing as a franchise but should be comfortably in the mix of playoff teams instead of struggling right now, then the distance left to go is much smaller.
I prefer to believe if we either had Gaby, or a decent player that his talent would normally bring in a trade, we would be there to compete with Calgary right now. Maybe not quite on par with them but close.
The team needs a player or so, they need them bad.
I think Ollie Jokinen would have helped lots and with a healty Gaby it would have been a lots better season!
But, we did not have as much to offer for OJ as Phoenix.
51 is not doing so hot right now but what if he puts it together in the future? Who would like to watch an older OJ slowing down if Shep were to emerge? So, it is hard to fault trades not made.
I think JL is a teacher, I think he demands a lot. It will pay us dividends in the future. But, he has a lot of learners right now and they are playing tired.
NiNY, I was referring to DR decisions like not getting Gaby resolved before he got injured.
and DR not getting it resolved is just bad luck for DR (and us)??? If DR comes out and says “I probably could have handled that differently” you would be like “aw, you don’t have to do that DR…”??? For real?
But, this is all from the perspective of where we think it is reasonable for the Wild to be right now.
If we think they should be able to compete evenly with the Detroit this year, then we have a fair ways to go and it understandable why people want to blow the place up and restart.
I, as one of many around here, have NEVER thought this for 08-09. In fact, no one whose opinions I generally respect around here has ever posited such a ridiculous thing here.
If we are satisfied that they are still growing as a franchise but should be comfortably in the mix of playoff teams instead of struggling right now, then the distance left to go is much smaller.
Nor is any of those people I mentioned saying there shouldn’t still be some growing pains. You’re marginalizing your own arguments.
I prefer to believe if we either had Gaby, or a decent player that his talent would normally bring in a trade, we would be there to compete with Calgary right now. Maybe not quite on par with them but close.
Agree to disagree?
I think Ollie Jokinen would have helped lots and with a healty Gaby it would have been a lots better season!
Why stop there? What about Rolston, Commodore, Green Lantern, Captain Kangaroo and Gordie Howe?
But, we did not have as much to offer for OJ as Phoenix.
Semantics, perhaps, but I’d say we had every bit as much to offer, we just weren’t willing to.
51 is not doing so hot right now but what if he puts it together in the future? Who would like to watch an older OJ slowing down if Shep were to emerge?
As long as we’re crystal balling it, what if Shep finds Jesus and drops out of the NHL after this season to go bring The Good Word to the heatherns in the third world?
So, it is hard to fault trades not made.
Apparently, the majority of sports fans around the world disagree with you.
I think JL is a teacher, I think he demands a lot. It will pay us dividends in the future.
I don’t disagree with this…but only if they want to be taught, and by him.
But, he has a lot of learners right now and they are playing tired.
Does he? And I don’t buy playing tired. At least not so much that it’s more of a handicap for the Wild than any other team in the league.
Food.
NiNY, your North Stars playoff percentage is badly skewed … those first years Stars competed for a playoff spot against mediocracy - St Louis, Pitt, Philly, LA Kings and the Caliafornia Seals.
Also, four of the six teams in the division made the playoffs.
SGS, you are indeed wise beyond your years. The North Stars stunk lots of times. Wild by comparison have been competitive even when they were not.
If you want to see a picture of a bad GM, look for Wren Blair.
Really, until Nanne came on the scene and then Gainey there was not much hope.
Iceman- you really think this group would be up there w/Flamers if we had Gabby? Are you serious? You don’t think Risedork is part of the problem? Are you serious? You couldn’t be more wrong if you tried, man.
Knight63, I think I said if they had added the center they were looking for last summer, yes I do and Gaby being healthy.
Despite not looking like a contender, they are not that far out now.
Don’t you think two key players (Gaby and a Center) would get them 8 more W’s?
Who are you comparing DR to and what is the criteria? Compare with the three teams that entered the league with the Wild Nashville, Thrashers and Blue Jays? Is it total W’s? Playoff appearances since the beginning?
This is not an exact science. I only think that the Minnesota fans were asking for a competitive team ASAP and to an extend they got a lot of competitive games. But, it cost them premium draft choices so it has a cost too.
In the early years why would they have squandered money on a big-time player when they did not have a supporting cast? I have no idea why they traded O’Sullivan for Dimetra but they apparently believed they had a window of opportunity.
So, I still think the jury is still out.
Iceman,
With all due respect sir, most of your rebuttals concerning critical posts about out CURRENT team and it’s CURRENT state of affairs are hypothetical situations or scenarios.
Anyone can sit back and say…”What if we had signed a center”. Or, “what if we had Gabby all year”. Or, “what if we hadn’t traded this guy or that guy away”. The hard, cold reality of it is that Smug has made decision after decision that has put this team in what will end up being a long and deep hole to crawl out of that is not going to happen in the short term.
With a CURRENT group that is arguably what would be 3rd or 4th liners on most other teams, the all-but-100%-certainty that we will lose our best player to free agency for absolutely NOTHING in return due to the incompotence of our GM, two or three kids that are “developing” at the NHL level rather than in the AHL where they belong, nobody down in Houston that is anywhere close to being “help” for the future, and no mid-round draft picks in this year’s draft because our GM used them to acquire mediocre 2nd-tier free agents.
As I have said before, I’m a fan too. A very passionate one at that. But I’m also a realist, and I can see the writing on the wall. I guess if you think that potentially making this year’s playoffs by the skin of our teeth, only to be most-likely blown out in the 1st round agin is “success”, well…to each his own.
