Thursday update
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 – 1:18 PMBy Michael Russo
Russo here, back on the clock, just living the dream.
Living … the … dream.
I have a buddy, who for years, anytime I ask him how he’s doing, he sarcastically says, “Living the dream.”
It cracks me up everytime. If you knew “DB Downer,” as I call him, you’d find the humor in it, too.
Not much to give you today. There were still remnants of packing popcorn all around the bowels of the arena this morning stemming from the April Fool’s joke from yesterday played on Eric Belanger. His car was filled to the brim. Have you ever handled packing popcorn? That stuff just doesn’t disappear thanks to static electicity.
Knowing Belanger, something tells me he didn’t find the humor in the joke. He’s a bit of a sourpuss at times, which is why he was the one gotten.
Everybody that was expected to practice today did, meaning the Killer B’s — Burns, Bouchard and Boogaard — didn’t skate — as expected. By the way, I chased down Boogaard today just to say hello, and he turtled. 
Anton Khudobin was recalled again on emergency conditions because of the tweak in Nik Backstrom’s lower body. But he flew in last night, and Backstrom and Josh Harding both practiced today, meaning everything seems OK with Backstrom.
However, I’d suspect Khudobin will stay here through the weekend now just in case Backstrom aggravates anything.
St. Louis’ T.J. Oshie was named NHL Rookie of the Month for March just a few seconds ago, so congrats to the Minnesotan.
The Wild’s idle tonight as Calgary comes to town tomorrow. The Wild will be looking for help from Detroit (which hosts St. Louis), San Jose (which visits Edmonton) and Vancouver (which hosts Anaheim).
That’s the position the Wild’s put itself in by being the classic win one/lose one franchise.
Hey, but good news, after tonight, the Wild’s got a game in hand on the Blues, Oilers and Ducks!!!
I’ll probably be back on later. Right now, I must write.
69 Responses to "Thursday update"
I wish I was living the dream. What’s the opposite?
killing the dream?
game in hand? like it matters with the win one/lose one franchise! (thanks for letting me steal that one, russo.) as it’s been said before, they have to win those games at hand for them to even matter. call me skeptical, cynical, or whatever you want, but i just don’t see that happen with calgary coming to town and then the roadie in detroit.
Is that why Bela’s always the go-to quote guy on the players’ reactions to Gaby’s situation? Guaranteed to get a somewhat crabby response?
So, that’s awesome that the only healthy goalie in Houston is gonna sit around in Minnesota for several days while we’re down here trying to get into the playoffs. No really. It’s great. Keep doing that.
russo is sounding like hes burned out covering this season.
I’d say either ‘living the nightmare’ or ‘killing the dream’.
Definitely not ‘killing the nightmare’ as that is a double negative and as such, the same as ‘living the dream’.
I’m burned out watching the season…
At certain point we start thinking Burns is done for the year.
mrs.conduct, I agree.
While the Wild are barely hanging on to a glimmer of hope for a playoff spot, he sits and watches. I suppose the Wild are just more important than Houston in their minds? In my opinion, leave him in Houston, where he can get his team to the playoffs
Coming down to the wire here. These KSTC/FSN “HD” games are killing me. at least 2 of the final 5 games are on NBC and Versus.
Sniff… sniff…
Cryin Ryan out for the year… sniff… sniff….
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/9408078/Avs‘-top-scorer-Smyth-out-for-rest-of-season?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=142
Not that it matters at all, I just hate the whinny little byatch. He and Lord Hemlet (MAB) need to trade helmets. MAB looks like his is 4 sizes too big and Cryan’s looks like he’s been using the same one since mites.
Captain Kleenex shuts ‘er down, eh? Boo hoo.
Well, the Wild ARE more important than Houston (see the kerfuffle over Filatov getting called up from the Crunch to the Blue Jackets and them basically saying, “He might play, he might not play. We just want him here to watch and learn.” Oh boy are the Crunch fans coming apart at the seams.)
But that’s the minors. You put your big boy undies on and do the best you can. Every team deals with this stuff.
Oh no, Ryan got an owey. It’s not like they have even a glimmer of a chance of a hope so no biggy. Has Sack-itch even skated since his little problem with the snowblower? Duh doofus, don’t stick your hand in the spinny blade thingies. …. Sorry, kinda cranky. It’s gorgeous out and I’m stuck inside with paperwork up to my eyebrows. And I get sarcastic when I get cranky.
i have a tee time with PMB on april 12th and then help gabby move out of mpls to vancouver on the 13th. Get the clubs out boy’s cuz you are done on friday! no way they’ll beat the flames……
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
with a one day lull, here is the link to Matt Thomas on demand including 4/01 Russo segment & SGS’s question.
http://www.am1500.com/ondemand/od_mattthomas.shtml
They could have at least let Khudobin play for Houston tonight and then yank him north in case something flared up with Backstrom on Friday.
So what if Khudobin would be tired from playing the night before, Harding would get the start anyway.
There are five different flights that would get him in before noon tomorrow. I’m just saying.
Heh, re “Living the Dream”, a few years ago my workplace was having an internal meltdown, major political infighting every where, long time employees being moved out on a regular basis, etc. Just an absolute living hell. Pretty much like newspapers today, no doubt.
A co-worker taught me what I’ve always used since for a reply to the “how’s it going?” question from coworkers that I’ve used ever since. “Proud to be here; honored to serve” with just that little bit of irony in the tone.
My wife works at a TV station, where it is only slightly better than newsaper newsrooms these days, and now she uses that response. . .
That’s the way it’s done MissConduct, on the other hand you could audition?
Sounds like the Aero’s could use a goalie.
MC-Me, too. I manage to watch by keeping one eye shut.
Also read to scrap the “Wild Anthem” and replace it with “Piece of My Heart.”
“Take it!
Take another little piece of my heart now, baby!
oh, oh, break it!
Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, c’mon now.”
Oh yeah gabby doesnt get a goal? I’m playing golf with Burns on Saturday.
Then I’m helping Martin Skoula move into a bigger house in the suburbs next week after he resigns for 3+ million.
TJ Oshie is not a Minnesotan. He is from Mt. Vernon, Washington and was recruited to play at Warroad.
Easy there Reg, nobody is looking for a fight. . . well. . . maybe except for me. . . and you. That’s it Reg, let’s go!
Is this “gabby doesn’t get a goal” that moron ‘Dave’s a Killer” from Dater’s worthless blog?
Is it time to go home yet? My connection to the network keeps crashing so I can’t get into my files, my office is 20 degrees warmer than the hallway, and I’m hungry. Did you hear that? That was my tummy growling.
It’s a John Scott or Boogie sized hunger. FEED ME!!
I dunno, BG…you sure you don’t want to keep that girlish figure? 
I suggest at least for Friday they scrap the ‘Wild Anthem’ and replace it with…
“Gimme that Filet-o-Fish,
Gimme that Fish…”
Agreed, Aaron.
I’ve decided to just focus on how cool it is for him to get to be up there. Nothing we can do about it. I hope emergency call-ups still get their NHL salary. The top shelf vodka is on Dimples, baby!
BG: south or west facing office? Heat gains. Food -a Hardees run for fries?
WRT: thanks for the chuckle. Fish.
the paper across the river has a nice article on John Scott and an uplifting piece on Tony Dungy.
All said, Russo still is the best.
phil - nope only true to were the real wild info is at - russo rants!
I’m just a fed up season ticket holder who calls it like i see it and has lost faith with this group……….
this team doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs……
No Hardee’s near me M 03 (and west facing office), and I’ve lost enough weight WRT that I have pants I can no longer wear in public due to the fact that they may fall off. The Mr and I are having BBQ chicken when I get home, just have to wait a tidgen longer.
The thing about the to big pants should be followed by…. So no worries about the girlish figure. Need sugar, brain malfunctioning.
Recruited Reg Dunlap? Are you sure? I thought his family was from Warroad and he is a nephew of Henry Bouche.
M 03, are you finding any promising career leads?
Was wondering about Oshie’s origins. Looking forward to a longer explanation.
On another note - cheer me up and name me some players who are now doing well after concussion issues. Gagne in Philly? Other than that, I’m drawing a blank.. I want to be optimistic about our one-time future norris winner…
All this re-signing of Skoula talk is crazy. What’s happened to you people??? Wait a second… Who sent you? Was it Skoula himself or is this bigger than that? Lemaire? Bettman??? I want answers!!!
Seriously though, that’s just crazy talk.
toivo: Agreed re: Skoula. IMO, any team that wants him, can have him. With my compliments. (And I still want to know what pictures he has, of whom, in what compromising positions!)
FWIW, we need better than Skoula. They are out there (if, the price is right). Just go get ‘em.
I don’t get the Gaby to LA or Vancouver talk. If he wants the big money that comes with endorsements, he needs to be in the east. 3/4ths of the hockey world doesn’t know squat about teams and players that are 2 and 3 time zones behind.
On SRV, I get that he is replaceable, but its a bit hard to buy Smug’s “where player’s want to play” shtick when he tells a long term good soldier to take a hike the minute he has earned some leverage.
Heard Hitchcock talking the other day about the Flames and how they were a team built the right way; strong up the middle. This is where the Wild have stumbled. Backuum and a good core defense are accomplishments and Mikko gives you strength. But Shep was counted on too early and Smug has failed to strengthen the center position for nearly 2 years. This isn’t news to anyone of course.
BG: Congrats on your ‘new and improved’ you! I know the Mr. must like the changes…even if his leg was fractured by that mean ‘ol ice…
Henry Boucha
State High School hockey tourney; 1969 if I recall. What an incredible talent and his defensive partner Alan Hangsleben was unsung but almost as impressive.
Edina. I still take alternative routes just to keep from driving through it.
I feel kinda to blame for Skoula. Here the guy is having his best season since being traded to Minnesota and I happen to mention it on this blog… *POOF* he reverts to Kuba-ism. I jynxed the poor b@stard.
I’ve heard Gaborik will probably go to somewhere like L.A.
As much as he probably would liek to come to Vancouver and as much as they would like him, there isn’t the money.
The Canucks already probably have to get rid of Ohlund this summer, who is a UFA.It’s going to be hard enough for the Canucks to sign the Sedins at a huge pay raise.
So don’t worry. Gaborik probably won’t be wearing your dreaded Canucks uniform.
Blues up 4-3 with 7 minutes to go.
wings tie it with 4:40 left!
Blues score again!
IceMan: Thank you so much for the inquiry. I have met recruiters from companies I never knew existed. Nothing solid yet. As a distraction, I thought the Wild would keep my spirits up. Well at least the blog is active, for now and those darn fish commercials will be around for a bit. Thanks all.
Blues win…dammit
Flames up 2-1 after 2 in Big D….
Sharks up 2-0 mid-way thru 2 in Edmonton.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a long way from done with the weight loss, but I’m down one and a half pants size, and the skating I did at the local rink this winter helped (thank you modified Herbies). Walking the bigger of our two dogs in the nice weather will help quite a bit as well.
Dammit Blues, can’t you just do what we want you to do? Ugh, oh well, nighty night. I’ve got an early start tomorrow.
FLAMES WIN!
I bet we see CuMac tomorrow!
Van and Anh tied at 2, 1st intermission
Go sharks, Go Canucks.
Good night, Russoville.
All alone in here for awhile Nick? Hopefully the Flames are “tired” tomorrow.
KISS OF DEATH!!
Heard during the Sharks/Oilers game tonight: “The papers here were calling for MacTavish’s head but the reclusive owner of the Oilers contacted during the preshow saying that MacT isn’t going anywhere.”
And that, ladies and germs, is the nhl coaching kiss of death. When the owner comes out and says youre not going anywhere or that they have faith in you…. You’re done like dinner.
In case you didn’t check yet - Oilers lose, Ducks win in SO.
Keep positive M 03.
Yeah, not a good night of scoreboard watching tonight. Ducks and Blues both got two. Funny moment watching the Canucks/Ducks game. Vancouver scores to go ahead 3-2 and I’m a little peeved. Then they score again and I’m thinking, “crap.” Then I realized that I’m supposed to want them to win tonight.
It felt weird.
Horrible night to watch out-of-town games….The Red Wings are killing us; First with that collapse against Nashville on Sunday, and now tonight. And the Luongo - who stood on his head here Tuesday night - sieves out against the Quacks…That little bit of light at the end of the tunnel is almost out.
I felt like such trash sitting there rooting for Detroit and Vancouver, and they screw us over anyway. Fxxx them.
darkknight9 says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
KISS OF DEATH!!…
…And that, ladies and germs, is the nhl coaching kiss of death. When the owner comes out and says youre not going anywhere or that they have faith in you…. You’re done like dinner.
DR and JL detractors can only hope. With the faith CL has expressed in those two, if your theory is true…
Asked to describe this season, Lemaire replied: “It’s always fun. I thought last year was really a tough year for coaching, because I felt that we had a lot offensively and we didn’t show what we had and we were on the bubble not to make the playoffs and all that. Players started to play and we climbed our division, but that was tough. This year, it wasn’t the same … it was easier in a way, it was a matter of accepting the players that you have, having the right expectations
Is the coach calling out the GM?
well the ducks in back to back games against the sharks this weekend will help or halt the wild if wild win and ducks lose both well then its good split by ducks might be still ok but wild need to win
i see the predators folding and the blues taking the 7th spot good luck check back monday to see if the wilds games next week mean anything
G*: I sort of feel like he’s been intimating that here and there over the last couple weeks.
It definitely doesn’t sound like a mea culpa, in any event…
breakfast is served
check back monday to see if the wilds games next week mean anything
What, no parade down 7th street?
Alan…what if the ‘Nuks decide to let the Sedin Sisters walk? And replace them with Gho$t and Hossa. One year deals each, so the Three Slovaks can then sign long term in LA.
Gho$t doesn’t want endorsement deals. He wants to score and be an All-Star. To be recognized as a legit NHL Star. And to have sand, sun and surf out his back door. For 8.5 mil per.
I BELIEVE THE DUCKS WILL LOSE TWO OVER THE WEEKEND AND THE PREDATORS ALSO
S0 IF THE WILD SOME HOW BEAT THE FLAMES AND THE WINGS(HA HA ) THE I WOULD SAY ITS PLAYOFF PARTY TIME
DUCKS TWO WITH THE SHARKS HOME AND HOME AND THE PREDATORS TWO ROADIES HAWKS AND JACKETS
LETS GO BLUES AND WILD #7 AND # 8
