Wild vs. Red Wings
Posted on April 5th, 2009 – 7:56 AMBy Michael Russo
Nick Schultz sustained an eye injury in the second period. He will not return to the game
Update: Scratches are Weller, Kolanos and Scott. Kurtis Foster on blue line, Gillies and Olvecky play. Just chatted with Eddie Olczyk. He’s a big fan of Mikko Koivu. Right out of the box when NBC comes to air, he’s going to say Mikko Koivu’s the most underrated player in the NHL.
Cal Clutterbuck’s not boring.
I know I’ve bemoaned the fact the Wild’s season been duller than, say, a dozenth Northwest Airlines maintenance delay of 2009 (hey, I was mature yesterday and didn’t complain about yet another return trip to the gate and ultimately getting on a new plane, but today’s a new day), but Cal Clutterbuck is certainly not boring.
If you didn’t see today’s story, here’s the one I referred to yesterday regarding Clutterbuck giving me five or six recent rip-jobs aimed at Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows, Stephane Robidas, Todd Bertuzzi, Kyle Okposo and Darcy Tucker.
I’m about to head down to the Joe. Not sure of the lineup yet, but I’m thinking Kurtis Foster will play, but back on the blue line. I think Jacques Lemaire might be a little nervous about playing John Scott in Detroit due to his footwork with Detroit’s top guns. If that happens, Colton Gillies, or maybe Peter Olvecky, would be back in.
Just another awful night for the Wild. Anaheim blows out San Jose on the night the Sharks could have clinched the President’s Trophy. Columbus blows a two-goal lead to lose for the 11th straight time in Nashville. And St. Louis gets a point.
Wild has 83 points. Nashville and St. Louis have 86. Anaheim has 88. Most the Wild can get is 91.
Wild loses today, and game over. Really this time. I mean it. Trust me.
This is why you can’t rely on others to get it done for you.
Talk to you when I get the most wonderful, spacious, clean arena in the league.
247 Responses to "Wild vs. Red Wings"
Wow, posting the gametime blog a bit early eh Russo? YOu must be bored.
Talk to you when I get into the most wonderful, spacious, clean arena in the league
Okay. Even I am afraid of going to the Joe. Especially when there’s 80,000 hoop junkies to go along with the 250,000 other junkies in Detroit.
No one will help the Wild but themselves, and we all said that months ago. Too little, too late. Even with a win today, the ‘tragic number’ is at 5 right now going into today’s games, and Columbus and Anaheim both play later.
Go Wild, anyways!
I guess I should learn the permeations a bit better. Or not post when waking up.
Great article this morning Russo!! CL needs to wake up and see it’s time to clean house at the GM level.
I’d keep JL if he’d stay because he is one of the best coaches in the league that can do great things, but he won’t.
For all those begging for JL’s head too, wait until DR hires Constantine who will coach the same boring style… but he is no where near the coach JL is in getting production out of turds.
That will cause the Wild to be in the bottom 10 all year because you know DR won’t do anything.
Russo, you’re prediction of “dead wood” ahead for Wild fans is spot on.
russo, great stuff on Cal! very witty remarks!
I think the playoffs were a mere mathematical possibility for some time.
Hey, it’s always darkest before the dawn (growth post #2 Ice).
“I don’t doubt it” to Bertuzzi is hi-freakin’-larious!
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
I don’t blame you WRT. But look at it this way, most of the threatening folks are either probably still sacked-out or are so hungover that they couldn’t do much harm anyway.
National TV or not, I still am on record as saying that I absolutely HATE afternoon hockey games. Football is OK to play at noon, hockey….not so much.
I agree with Schmidty, Russo’s “Insider” was a good one today. Although I almost HAVE to say that, becuase it’s basically the same thing that myself and about 3 or 4 other folks on here have been saying for a couple of months now.
Hey Don, you’re not reading the blog late at night with a notepad in-hand are you? 
Russo needs a vacation. Hopefully that jury duty thing is over quickly.
Geno: I’m with you on afternoon hockey. Never liked it in the 60’s and 70’s, don’t like it now. What’s even worse than the Sunday afternoon games are the Friday/Saturday afternoon games. Those are inconveinent for everybody. The only thing possibly worse would be a ‘businessman’s special’ game, like the Islanders do 1-2 times a year, or a ‘kiddie school special’ like several AHL teams (Houston being one) do.
Michael: Wish you had wrote that same version ‘Sunday Insider’ column about, say, 8 weeks ago? A lot of us have been saying one version or another of this most of the season.
Any chance you could post the tiebreaker scenerios and why we lose them all? I thought first tiebreaker was wins, which would give us the edge over St. Louis if we somehow tie them correct?
scenario is any tiebreakers were done lol
Russo, you’re prediction of “dead wood” ahead for Wild fans is spot on.
Unless DR actually does something this summer. As much as some of us would like it, DR is not going to be fired ahead of next year and may very well have to hire the next coach so let us all hope Russo can’t write this next year:
The Wild, which truly believes it does it better than everybody else, is a stand-pat organization in every area.
Thanks for the anti-smug advocacy Russo!
Michael - you are the best. The Sunday column was accurate and precise. Thanks.
comments on the arena, a trace of sarcasm perhaps…
i cant wait for the trash talking to commence
WRT, go read the two columns I wrote over New Year’s. I did write the same thing. Thanks for reading 
How come the Wild never play a physical line-up and a physical game-plan against Detroit? Strictly skill vs. skill isn’t going to cut it.
i hate late morning games screws up my whole day but go wild
Geno & WRT: agree on the afternoon games
Weird… just experienced some odd technical difficulties.
i agree 930 on a sunday is killing me but i wouldnt have it any other way go wild
same here and then they played what they already said, how is it on time now? or is that the 7 second rule tv thing that just happened?
WRT, go read the two columns I wrote over New Year’s. I did write the same thing. Thanks for reading
Chalk up another Russo Slam.
[insert profanity-filled tirade over scratches]
WRT: wow a direct response from Michael. You rock.
woo cant wait till this stupid hockey game is over so i can watch golf afterwards! haha
LOL Chris
Well, knowing he was going to talk about Mikko made that set-up really really ghey.
What are the odds you guys can light up Osgood today, on very few shots?
[insert profanity-filled tirade over scratches]
BadDogs never happy when BIG JOHN SCOTT gets scratched.
People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along? Can we stop making it, making it horrible for the older people and the kids?…It’s just not right. It’s not right. It’s not, it’s not going to change anything. We’ll, we’ll get our justice….Please, we can get along here. We all can get along. I mean, we’re all stuck here for a while. Let’s try to work it out. Let’s try to beat it. Let’s try to beat it. Let’s try to work it out and just rip DR
haha and rip DR we shall
Nice pressure there before the stop. Keep that up.
the only penalty there was diving
I can’t believe the announcers said that was the right call. If that guy’s solid on his skates, he doesn’t fall. Shep barely touched him.
What happened - why is Backs disputing?
Crap
Schultz really blew that. Why didn’t he just play it up the wall?
Stupid ref really didn’t help either.
Oh - I think he’s mad the ref is playing for Detroit. Does the ref get an assist on that one?
puck never hits the ref the wings dont score what a bunch of bull
Is anyone else’s picture way too washed out? It looks like the ice is glowing or something.
“Trapping style like Minnesota’s” - seriously, STFU
Well this has goine south qickly….
game over
This game just turned into a steaming pile…
Boy, are the Wild the cure for what ails a slumping team, eh?
Okay - that one we earned. What was it they said about skating and not watching them play? We just sat and watched that one go in.
Looks like we’re going to need one of our patented 3-0 comebacks.
Shep missed the only chance to break that play up. The rest was all red wing finesse.
Can they just play Cal’s mic, so we have something to enjoy?
It could just be my pessimism… but EVERY time I hear a national broadcast of a Detroit game, it seems like the announcers yearn to go out on the ice, drop down to their knees and do “personal favors” to each of the Wings.
This game just turned into a steaming pile…
That really sums it up
Don’t blame the refs, blameJames Shepard, -2 right now because he cannot play in his own zone. Why is he behind the defenseman when we need to break out? Minus 13 all year. 5 goals in the offensive zone all year. Trade this guy last month! Oh wait, we are building the frnchise around him — he’s off limits. Fire Doug.
Didn’t you know, LA? The Wings are all direct decendents of Hercules and Xena, and the Wild players are lepers.
Well, in the mythology of hockey, that’s not so far off.
LA - couldn’t have said it better myself.
Seriously, watching this game hurts my eyes, I can barely see the lines.
There’s a concept. Shoot at Osgood!
Looks fine to me, MrBG
Backstrom holds the puck to get a faceoff. Guess who doesn’t trust his team anymore?
Woohooo! Go Cluts!
YEA CAL!
Wow. That was a dumb play by Ozzie. Nice work Cal!
CLUTTER!
Maybe we can beat a team with that bad a goalie.
BOOM SHAKALAKA!! =o)
At least that’ll keep any flies away from the steaming pile!
Now we have to hit Osgood again while he’s down - get his confidence way down.
No visual issues here either… it’s HD though.
Hey Detroit. Your team might be good, but how’s your economy?
What, too soon?
Not too soon - there’s just nobody at the game to answer. Can’t afford the tickets.
Nice one Mr BG.
Well, standard def on a 9 year old TV, direcTV, but I’ve never had this issue before. Other channels look normal too. Basically, the white level is way too high.
Only down by one, we might pull it out.
God I hate Sean Avery. He should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell.
Sean Avery? We’ll get him next year. That’ll make us better.
Not… taking.. the… bait…
Austin - +1
And Kelso - +2
Wow - talking up a Wild player. I like it!
Austin, does Avery really deserve to go out as good as Dan Marino?
Speaking of Avery, anyone else hoping the Rags don’t make the playoffs as punishment for signing that idiot?
I just figured that we get other teams’ cast offs. How did Avery put it? …
anyone else hoping the Rags don’t make the playoffs as punishment for signing that idiot?
YESYESYESYESYESYESYES.
Problem is I want the Canadiens to miss as well and they both can’t. (Well, they can but it would take a lot of work.)
MrB, I seriously hope the Rags don’t make it. Eff Avery… If the Wild pick him up I would have a hard time watching the games.
Thanks, Michael, for that Sunday Slam. I forgot, Wrestlemania is today on PPV.
You must be heading to watch that from the way you ripped into me, pal. 
The fact is we all have been saying it since at least when you wrote the first two articles. Yes, I read pretty much everything you write (and, I actually pay for it now ‘n’ then) but I can’t remember what I read last month, much less 3 months ago.
Mr. BG: Yeah, my picture is washed out as well. Must be the conversion from HD to SD or someone in the truck at Detroit is too lazy to check the picture quality.
My choice is the latter…
The problem is that the GMs live in such a bubble, they’ll never connect not making playoffs with signing Avery. Just like DR will say if we don’t make it, it was because Gaby was injured - not because our scoring talent is average at best.
I’m not an Avery guy, but I think he got jobbed. Make crude comments, suspended indefinately. Break Koivus leg on a slash - 4 games. I think Avery’s a better choice than Chris Simon, but hey, we got him.
I think the suspension on the comments was kind of a “make up call” by the league - the guy is cheap in every aspect of the game. He’s just lucky he has good hands.
Gabby shoots and two guys at the cerase. That’s what we need to do!
This game is too quiet. No scrums, no real physical play, no chiping.
I meant chirping.
Problem is I want the Canadiens to miss as well and they both can’t.
Yes - way to tank Florida Panthers even though you kept Bouwmeester.
Typical RWs game from what I’ve seen, ATX.
I can’t stand that we back out of the zone with NO forecheck! These guys are too good to give up the zone that easily.
Austin - they picked a heckuva game to mike up Cluts, huh? Detroit’s not much of a chirping team.
Bad icing call. A gift to Chelios from the linesman.
Oh, Rags over the Habs every day and twice on Sunday. I greatly prefer New York obnoxiousness over French-Canadian obnoxiousness.
yeah heather, that might be why they haven’t showed us anything from him yet. He hasn’t even really had any good hits today.
I think we miss Butch in this game. This is a good style of play for him.
They really don’t look like they care if they win this game or not.
More Olvecky! Good forecheck draws a penalty. Shepard’s line cant get out of the zone. It’s not the defensemen, it’s the center.
I wonder if the guys realized they didn’t stand a chance after last nights games. Threw in the towel before the game even started.
JL - “Dare’s no doubt”
That was absurd. Nice job Backs to save that embarrassment.
Jesus - who’s on the PP here?
They’re outchecking and out working us. At least tha’s what Jacques will say after the game.
Chelios- you’re older than dirt. Uglier too!
I didn’t realize Samuelsson is such a pansy.
What is Clutter supposed to have done?
Good shot by Foster. Protect your zone!
High stick, ms.c
Good to see Fossie being physical.
If we’re goin’ down, might as well have fun, right?
Gaby!!!
Awesome! Gaby! Woot!
GABY!!!
Awesome work by Olvecky!
What a play by Olvecky.
More Olvecky! Great forecheck!
WOO!
Olvecky AND Clutter! Sweet. And what kinda line is that? Gaborik and those two? I love it!
Another great shift by Olecky. Start him next period.
olvecky is playing very well on the slovak line gabby
Red Wings have scary puck handling skills. We are fortunate they do not have a goalie.
Hopefully, we can get at least a point today. But, I don’t think it is absolute doomsday if they do not.
Just checked in on this game. Backstrom has stopped a game’s worth of shots in two periods? Champ.
Seems as the Wild kept plugging away, these NBC tools put away one of their Detoilet kneepads, only one though.
Jeff Gordon needs to win a race. Maybe today at Texas.
I honestly didn’t think this game would be this close after two periods. Let’s hope the Wild don’t ‘pull an Ottawa’ and fold in the 3rd. Points, folks. The Wild need points. From this game.
Gaby was scintillating there after the PK to end the period.
Jeff who, Bob Kelso? What hockey team is he on?
Gotta get at least one today. Can’t come away with nothing.
I want Olvecky and Shep to battle for the 3rd line center spot next year.
Boogity, Boogity, Boogity: Let’s go racin’ boys! Turn Left! Better than watching the Zamboni turn right all intermission.
We get it Kelso. You don’t like Shep.
Gaborik is head and shoulders above anyone else on the Wild!!!! Almost everyone else looks like statues on skates. The Wings are skating through them like swiss cheese…it’s laughable. Backstrom and Gaborik are the only reasons the game is tied after two periods. It will be a complete STEAL if the Wild win. They do not belong in the playoffs. This is probably the worst they’ve been since their first year in the league…it’s UGLY!!!
Hey There’s another Bob Kelso out there! I don’t want Shepard at all. trade him for a mature goal scorer!
…and the Wild MUST find a way to keep Gabby…but I’m sure he’s biding his time for free-agency.
Can the Wild sign Gabby for a 1 year contract?
A lot has been said (and, re-said, and re-re-said) about Gaby. He will do what he thinks is best for him, and the Wild will do what they think is best for them.
That being said, we really need to obtain another quality center this off-season.
We only won 3 faceoffs in the second? What’s up with Koivu?
J. Gordon leads at Texas. Back to hockey.
Koivu’s the best! (On the Wild that is)
- Web site is switching names again.
- Since we kept Shep at last year’s deadline we need to go the distance with him now. However, he has to earn his minutes. He has had some good games of late but in a game like this one, you should be happy JL is Dr. Line Switcher
- Call me crazy but I think if a team Dr. can justify it, someone is going to give Gaby a major deal this summer. I predict a desperate DR dusts off and tweeks only slightly a contract you heard about this September.
Kimmy’s hurt
Oh good. He’s back.
Not only do I dislike Shep, Jaques benched him. Interference on Chelios. Does he have pictures of the NHL refs?
Mikko is on it today.
Wowwww… I go take a shower and head out to the sports bar to watch the rest of the game along with the NASCAR race and the Wild tie it up… maybe I should turn it off more often!
Where’s Kolanos? Hate the frosted tips but love his work effort.
Mikko’s doing great, but again - we only won 3 faceoffs in the second. I realize we rely on him too much on the faceoff, but puck posession is HUGE against the Wings, and he dropped off in the second. Faceoffs after the first were 12-12, after the second they were 27-15. We’re bad enough on shots - we really can’t win without faceoffs.
Kolanos is sitting in the press box helping absolutely no one with his terrific talent.
Holmstrom needs to be taken down.
Here come the wings..
Get the F off my GOALIE!
Detroit thinks Johnsson should get a penalty. I think Holmstrom should get one. You can’t stand on the goalie!
Gillies seriously needs to get tougher along the boards.
Hey - who was that? Not that I don’t agree…
Sorry Heather, I became you there for a minute. Why does it do that?
Glitch in the Matrix.
Backstrom is really on today, anybody still think DR overpaid him?
I should’ve taken the red pill.
I wonder what the announcers use to get that taste out of their mouths after the game?
MN game plan (according to the announcers) - take the crowd out of it. What crowd?
Koivu used to be better at faceoffs, but every linesman in the NHL seems to be on his case. They never throw Malkin out and does all the same things. Koivu/Jacques needs to make a bigger deal out of it.
A while back Koivu said in an interview that he tries to cheat when he can. Some refs must have read it and assume he’s trying to cheat.
Jesus ice, give it a rest. No one in their right mind thinks DR did himself any favors by waiting so long on Backstrom.
heard that too Heather..is the crowd EVER a factor in Detoliet?
Everyone cheats. With the two ref / two linsmean system, they don’t have enough to do so they kick people out. “Hey ref! Drop the puck!” as Gophs fans like to say.
Wow - crowd’s bigger than I thought.
Good hit by Gabby! But no shots underneath the dots. Crash the net boys!
To be fair, Nick, Mike was ripping Backs until about 2 weeks ago. He’s curiously absent from the blog since.
dang… a couple of good chanes there… just need Ozzie to STB now.
Did you see how Osgoods eyes went back into the net even after he grabs the puck with his glove? Happy Birthday Chris!
Wow that was close for mittens..
Jesus ice, give it a rest. No one in their right mind thinks DR did himself any favors by waiting so long on Backstrom.
+1 especially when you consider the smugness Russo noted in his article today nearly drove DR to opt for a new goalie next year even if the system didn’t have JL next year. The Backs signing saved DR some credibility but he did not earn him more.
Oh CRAP.
game/season over….damn
MUTHER EFFIN SON OF A BEETCH ASSFACE JERKHOLE!
Tell you what - I’m rooting for San Jose and whoever plays Detroit.
Great job zids.
Game - set - match….
I absolutely HATE stacked teams.
Season done… let the re-haul of the Wild franchise begin!
That really sucked. Ugh.
DR = McHale of hockey. One solid playoff run for both.
Go Twins.
My heart is just broken for Backs. Just completely broken.
Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT. Zids, buddy, that was brutal. And with Hossa on the ice!
Whatever. Here come the douchbags. Later people.
zidlicky blows another game… falls down at center ice leads to 3 on 2 and Backs lets in a soft goal. he should have had that.
Now I hope we lose the rest so we can get into the lottery.
yeah Backs bailed their arces out and he gets screwed as his reward….I think I hear a bell
Actually, I hope the Nucks play the Hawks. Would love to see a replay of the hair-pulling.
Well Folks…the Run was fun…We won’t even be close to making a run for the playoffs without Gaborik next year.
We should absolutely sit Nolan, Brunette, and Koivu so they can heal a bit. Bruno might as well schedule his surgery right now.
yeah, that one went between Nik’s arm and his side….never good.
Another Minnesota choke! Thanks
Maybe we won’t put our whole season on one player (who only plays 15 games) next year, Tony. If he hadn’t had the “Gabby will save us” mentality, maybe DR would’ve made some decent moves.
Its over
PLAYOFFS GONE< LEIPOLD SUX and FIRE RISEBROUGH!!!!!
A fitting end to a flop season!!! This team is SO FAR from being good…it’s sad!!! I wonder how long the loyal fan base will put up with this sub-standard product! They could be even worse next year…if they don’t land a high-profile goal scorer…especially when they lose Gaborik.
Tony O, you realize that we basically didn’t have Gay this year, and we were pretty dang close to the playoffs. Don’t be foolish.
The season in a nutshell Wild fans! Just not meant to be this SUCKS!!!:(
Time for management to start managing better! The POS DR should be the first to go. What a tragic season for this franchise and it fans. Truly embarassing!
We should absolutely sit Nolan, Brunette, and Koivu so they can heal a bit. Bruno might as well schedule his surgery right now
Yep - perhaps that is why Kolanos is still here - Dallas game on Tuesday has no playoff implications for other teams - the NSH and CBJ games are still to be determined.
That would be “Gaby” not “Gay”
Risebrough has to be the WORST GM in hockey. Nice 10 year plan. More than 50% of the teams make the playoffs, yet the Wild are on the outside looking in and have a pathetic future ahead, unlike Chicago and St. Louis. Who is going to score next year…and WHY did we pay all that money to Johnsson…he sucks.
yeah and there were two guys forechecking, gabby was one of them. then zids pulling his usual stunts what was he doing. it was a complete meltdown.. why god why!!
Great signings by Risebrough this past year. Team full of mediocre wussies.
I think I like Gay better, Austin.
No offense txfan, is that how far expectations have fallen? That we’re supposed to be happy just contending for the playoffs? Nine years in and ONE solid run? If we were so dependant on Gabby then our team was put together poorly in the first place. The 18,568 that are getting fleeced are going to get sick of it sooner than later.
Gabby will be missed. I predict he will have a great year next year. I had to laugh when Risebrough said he and Gaborik mutually agreed not to talk contract until after the season…hey Dougy boy, basically Gaborik was telling you to go screw yourself, just like you screwed the Wild fans.
finally! i’m so sick of hearing about them being on the edge of being in the playoffs… glad it’s over and done with. i’d much rather have a team that plays like a real winner and deserves to be in the playoffs!
Great signings by Risebrough this past year. Team full of mediocre wussies.
Nolan? Bruno? MAB is what he is - a PP specialist - but pehaps you can argue that Zids can’t play top 4 minutes and DR should have known that but you need to focus your anger.
The New Wild Owner needs to take some of the blame. He did nothing in Nashville and so far has been a pretty crappy owner for the Wild. But as long as they keeping telling us what great fans we are, it doesn’t matter if they win..because again we are such great fans.
A lot of things could be said about this game, but like the rest of the season, they come up just a bit short.
The Wild’s ‘tragic number’ is now at 3, BTW.
Yeah, Leipold seems like a clueless owner just glad to have a toy to play with. And Risebrough knows it and can keep screwing the pooch when it comes to making decisions but Leipold will keep sticking by that POS GM. Hey, guess the 10 year plan is now the 20 year plan. By then all of our up and coming young talent will be seasoned veterans. Doug Risebroug HAS TO GO.
ron jones, you missed the point. Tony said we would not even be close to the playoffs without Gaby… Well, we didn’t have Gaby this year hardly at all and we were this close to the playoffs. A few decent moves this summer, and the Wild will easily make the playoffs. That was the whole point.
Leipold seems like a clueless owner just glad to have a toy to play with
Could be worse. You could have the Tampa owners. Talk about clueless idiots.
Wild will easily make the playoffs?? So many posters said that this year. No way is ANYTHING going to be easy next year. Not with Johnsson and Skoula anchoring the defense. They causes goals 1 and 2 to be scored today by not covering their man in the crease. Embarrassing.
And Risebrough knows it and can keep screwing the pooch when it comes to making decisions but Leipold will keep sticking by that POS GM.
That’s better - the impression fans have been given is that DR has a job for life anf for a guy (DR) that likes to talk about accountability, he needs to know its a 2 way street.
I predict Tampa will have a better record than the Wild next year. Guess we will have to wait and see.
Risebrough Sux. You are missing the point as well. Forget it… it’s not worth the effort.
No, it isn’t. I said at the beginning of this year the moves Risebrough made will result in the Wild dropping in the standings and missing the playoffs. Case closed.
at least twins start this week. gotta forget about the wild
Not with Johnsson and Skoula anchoring the defense.
You lost me again - Wild remains #2 in goals against and is now #26 in goals per game.
Risebrough waiting to sign Backs cost them a ton. Just many of a laundry list of mistakes by this crappy GM. I already cancelled my season tickets this past year because I am not like many fans. I want to go watch and exciting team that has a chance to win a cup. Just going to the game as a social event is not good enough. But that is who the Wild ownership count on and prey on to fill the seats. Bring back the glory days of 1980 when the fans were fanatic and the team played with guts.
I wan’t rebutting your statement… I was just pointing out that Tony O’s comment didn’t make any sense. Is it that hard to see?
And the Wild missed the playoffs. Thank goaltending for the strong defensive showing. How do they rank for shot given up on goal?
My obvious bias against Risebrough is justified. He was a TERRIBLE GM in Calary, and supposedly had a 10 year plan to win a cup. Does anyone see the Wild winning a playoff series let alone a cup next year. Sorry, Houston has no talent ready to step up, the Wild young players will be 2nd liners AT BEST. And if you think Risebrough is going to make any offseason blockbuster moves, forget it. For starters he screwed the salary cap and will have limited funds. And his history has proven that he really is a poor judge of talent.
Great story today Russo. A very honest and accurate take on the future of the team. On to today’s game. A completely desperate team was completely outclassed by a team just tuning up for the playoffs. The Wild does’nt appear to be any closer to competing with the Red Wings today than they were in their first year. The score was the only thing that was even close.
“A few decent moves this summer, and the Wild will easily make the playoffs.”
That is my point. Has DR shown he’s able to do this? All but one solid run says NO, and his legacy of failure is getting bigger each year. How many times are fans willing to wait for ‘next year’? Simply locking teams down just to stay competitive and having almost much zero firepower has failed this team.
- For this season it is about the move DR didn’t make - trading #10 at the draft because it was crystal clear to some of us that after DR put Demo in a bad spot last year by not adding a center (and even dumping Moore) at the dealine, Gaby already gone (TM, kj).
- How do they rank for shot given up on goal?
That is how the Six Goalie System is played. I am a huge Backs fan so I am not taking anything away from him but in light of the moving vans at Gaby’s house I would rather focus on the goal scoring then replacing defensive defenseman with other defensive defenseman.
That is my point. Has DR shown he’s able to do this?
Nope so I hope he feels the heat. IMO, the decision to not make fans pay for 2 rounds of playoff tickets up front was not just about the economy.
Jesus effin Christ… you people are hopeless. Stop twisting what I am saying! I was only pointing out a flaw in an argument! Gimme a effin break.
Tony O said: We won’t even be close to making a run for the playoffs without Gaborik next year.
I said. We didn’t have Gaby this year… yet we almost made the playoffs.
All I am saying is that Gaby is not the BE-ALL-END-ALL of this hockey team. Tony’s comment did not make any sense because if Gaby does not return, the Wild will basically be the same as this season… where we were close to the playoffs. So saying the Wild would not even be close to the playoffs without Gaby was not an accurate statement. THAT IS ALL I WAS SAYING! Noe please get the FVCK off my back.
On the GAA and the talent of the defense. IMO, if the Wild had better defensemen, would’nt Lemaire then be able to take away some of the defensive responsibilities of the forwards. Obviously with Lemaire the system will always be defense first, but with better d-men he could then let the forwards freelance more. Not that they have the talent at forward either. Which, again is the responsibility of a GM.
With a 2.39 GAA, there is not a lot of room for improvement (BOS at 2.24 and SJ at 2,42 while the Maple Loafs have a league worst 3.54). With a goals per game of 2.49, that is a full goal behind DET still way below the Ducks at #15 and 2.90.
NiNY, when did you become the thought king here?
As somebody pointed out, Backstrom is not the most highly paid goalie in the league. If that is the situation then he was paid market value. That is just fine with me, I am not such a purist that it make any difference to me when he was signed.
The Wild are still not mathematically eliminated.
Well our Wild club has come full circle. We are once again a club with expansion team talent and a great coach.
Please unload Belanger this off-season. this guy epitomizes the French Figure Skater. Why the F is Vellieux on the ice so much in the 3rd of a tie game? I get that he’s a decent defender, but cripes he played half the period.
Unless the Wild get’s a new GM in the off-season and pulls a Tampa Bay Lightning (signing every veteran FA), next years team will look just like the 2000 team. Greaaaaat.
I am not such a purist that it make any difference to me when he was signed.
Yep - we don’t need cap $ to get goal scorers to come to Where Players Want to Play(TM)
The Wild are still not mathematically eliminated.
I always thought you were Kevin Fallness, know I now
I’m not saying that the GAA needs to come down. I’m just saying that with better d-men, the GFA could go up because the forwards would be allowed to play a more aggressive style.
On another note. Great story on Clutterbuck today. The Robidas, and Kessler lines are instant classics. Is there anyway that he could be miked for every game, and the fans that want to listen could have a seperate PPV channel to watch.
pulls a Tampa Bay Lightning (signing every veteran FA)
Yeah, and how’d that work out for them?
“Yeah, and how’d that work out for them?”
I’m not saying they should do that. I’m saying the 2009-2010 team will look just like the 2000 team unless major changes happen this off-season.
Brainfreeze - there could be something to what you say but I don’t think any GM could have easily traded out 5/41/8/55 an got significantly better defensive defenseman. Plus, there is a learning curve with the system. If anything, the Wild needed a much better #2 center - I bet we can agree 100% on that
I’m getting tired of watching expansion hockey. Last year was the first year the Wild didn’t look like the NHL’s JV team. this year they’re right back to Junior Varsity hockey, and there are no indications that next year won’t be JV hockey.
Wild needed a much better #2 center. Der is no doubt.
6GS: Agreed. We need a legitmate center for our #2 line. Belanger should be a no. 3 center, and Shep should be a 4th liner (unless he gets a lot better).
Sorry folks, I’m still bummed about today’s outcome. (BTW: Thanks, Zidlicky, for absolutely nothing. Nice play, bud…)
From what I saw of the GWG, I believe it was shot from somewhere out near the top of the circle/blue line… true, it should’ve been a fairly routine save for Backstrom. HOWEVER… how many excellent saves did he make during the game? Watching the first 2 periods at home, about the only positive thing I heard the announcers say about the Wild had to do with Backstrom’s play.
IF (I don’t think they’re eliminated yet, are they?) they don’t make the playoffs… I hope some of you will root for the Blackhawks. And yes, Heather, I would LOVE to see the Hawks play against the Nuckleheads! Give Duncan Keith a shot at payback!
- Hawks v. Nuks = all Hawks fans here - der is no doubt
- If Mikko/Saku/Shep-Olvecky is probable, than that is a gift for DR as he can focus his “skills” on getting a wing that can score. I hope Tool’s comments today about getting a draft pick with pizazz were secondary to pulling a Gaby contract out of the grave or getting a wing that scores 30 next year.
Hawks v. Nuks = all Hawks fans here - der is no doubt
Definitely no doubt about that.
Food.
