Monday update: Schultz doubtful vs. Dallas; Kolanos sent down; Weller at D?
Posted on April 6th, 2009 – 12:26 PMBy Brian Stensaas
Cold and a bitter wind. Just feels like Opening Day for baseball, eh? Nah - feels more like hockey weather out there. So let’s get on with some hockey talk, shall we?
It doesn’t look too good for Nick Schultz getting into tomorrow’s home game against the Stars. He didn’t practice today, and officially the team is saying he is doubtful with an eye/head injury. Nobody is really too sure what, but something happened to Schultz Sunday against the Red Wings. Coach Jacques Lemaire said he thinks Schultz hit his face on the glass during a hit.
The only other real bit of news from today is that Krys Kolanos was sent back to AHL Houston.
UPDATE: Wild just announced it has signed its second round pick (55th overall) from the 2008 draft, 6-foot-3, 206-pound defenseman Marco Scandella, to an entry level contract beginning with the 2009-10 season. He will head to the Aeros on an amateur tryout for the remainder of this season. Scandella, 19, recorded 37 points and 67 penalty minutes in 58 games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season.
So with Schultz out, that leaves Minnesota with six defensemen. That’s plenty for a game, but yu have to wonder if the team might shake something up for tomorrow. Winger Craig Weller has played defense in the past (though not as a pro), and wore a maroon jersey today with all the other defensemen. Probably a long shot, but at this point in the season, why not? Weller, by the way, would have no problem with switching back to his old position.
Kim Johnsson also did not skate today, leaving that open spot for Weller to fill in during practice. But like Nik Backstrom I think Johnsson was just given the day off.
So the season is not over yet. The Wild does still have some life. But you sure can sense that it’s all but done. Mondays are usually pretty busy media-wise around the Xcel Energy Center. And there were a lot of past tense verbs being tossed around when asking questions today. Players and coaches barely batted an eye when answering questions about “what if?” Every so often somebody would catch it and say something like “well, uh, you know, not that it’s over.” Really, though, it’s all there for everyone to see.
“Disappointed,” Lemaire said when asked how he was feeling today.
Yep. That about sums ‘er up.
Side note: I can now tell all my friends I shut down a Hall of Famer. Just before addressing the media today, Lemaire was using his hockey stick to play around with a foam lacrosse ball leftover in one of the side locker rooms from Swarm action this weekend. After shooting a few off the wall, he fired the ball at me and - doink - right off my leg.
“Ah. Good save, there,” was all the congratulations I got from the man who scored 366 NHL goals and has 11 Stanley Cup rings. But what a proud moment!
Annnnyway. Russo’s back with you tomorrow for all things Stars v. Wild.
98 Responses to "Monday update: Schultz doubtful vs. Dallas; Kolanos sent down; Weller at D?"
The only other real bit of news from today is that Krys Kolanos was sent back to AHL Houston.
Which will make Ms. C. happy… 
I can only imagine what that locker room was like today. Everyone was dour, like Belanger is most of the time. Past tense? Yeah…
Nice work on the kick save Stensy.
Good God, Weller on D! So how’d he look? Lost? Better than he looks at forward? Pylonesque?
Goody…he played better D than Zidlicky!
Thank you, thank you, I’ll be here all day… 
Good luck to Marco Scandella.
Houston fans please let us know how he looks. I was hoping Tyler Cuma would be healthy and getting some time down in Houston too. Oh well he needs to recover a 100% so better luck next year kid.
The Wild beat Dallas and St Louis loses to Phoenix,then expectations will change fast about making the playoffs
So how badly does JL get roasted if he plays Weller at D when the playoffs are still mathematically possible? Even if Weller plays a strong D game? Would Mr D (JL) do such a thing? Even if the game doesn’t matter?
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
I’m having such a crap day so this is good news. I get Krazy Krys back AND fresh meat. Sweet.
At least a pylon would hold its’ position, unlike a certain Wild defenseman who didn’t yesterday at Detroit…
ms.conduct says:
April 6th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I’m having such a crap day so this is good news. I get Krazy Krys back AND fresh meat. Sweet.
Do I sense Key Lime pies in their future? 
Anyone think theres a chance they would add FIRE DR as an option on that poll?
Or perhaps make a seperate poll asking fans who they blame most for the teams failings this season.
Here is a thought, although not new, might be a different take…On the startribune site when you click wild a bar appears at the top of the page with the players/staff the fans identify most with. This is obviously a common tactic by the media, but have you ever seen a team lose all those people in one year? Jacque many believe to be heading into retirement. Harding might as well have a hook through him during the draft (I find live bait works great myself). We all know about Marian. Boogie has a year left and has missed a ton of games the past two years (back problems in hockey = not good) the league tryimg to take that type of player out of the game anyways. how much can you pay a guy for 1 minute a night? There is still hope though, a possible JL retirement party might be hosted by marian since the economy might make it tough to beat a wild offer. Also, maybe Ilya will come here after the wild makes a philosophy change and goes all offense. He is 4th in the league in scoring. Dont bother with telling me he is also -12 Zidlicky, veilleux, sheppard have wors + - stats and it would take all of zidlicky, bergeron, clutterbuck, and gaboriks goals to equal his 42 for the year.
Why is it that Zids is getting roasted for stepping up to try and make a play? You don’t think that was the plan that late? 55 seconds left in a game where they need 2 points which they are less likely to get in OT and even less in a shootout against the Wings. Not seconds before Johnsson did the same thing and nobody says word one. Of course his worked and he got a shot off. Too bad that Zids couldn’t foresee that C-Buck was going to blow the forecheck, Bela was going to fall down and Backuum was going to muff a save he makes 98% of the time.
>>>geno, why is it everytime you post here, you make yourself out to be so high and mighty?<<<
That is what STHing, name dropping, ref groupies who think they are the only ones who get it do. In most dictionaries, that is the definition for narcissist. Probably drives a used 3 Series BMW.
edubs says:
April 6th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
wtf
Would love to reply to BadDog but whats your question? Point? Comment?
Yeah, I too thought backstrom would have made that save. He made 15 harder saves through out the game.
Let the off-season begin!
In the meantime, there will be playoffs to watch and all that.
My hunch is that next season is going to be even worse, but at least it will be clear to management at that point that they need to re-group.
I’m not certain that realization has quite hit Risebrough & Lynn. My fear is that they will look at this season as evidence that even without Gaborik, they almost made the playoffs therefore the roster is fundamentally sound and just needs to be tweaked. Let’s hope that’s not the case. I think it was that sort of rigid mindset that fails to properly analyze information and take action that doomed the Timberwolves to nearly a decade of “sorta good” followed by a disastrous collapse that is still bottoming out, five years on.
Is it possible and do you think guys think Sheppard and Olvecky will be sent to Houston when the season is done? I really think Sheppard needs to be there and have some success.
Not that it’s going to happen, but if we get Saku this summer I wouldn’t mind seeing him there in the fall too as I think that Miko benefitted from being there during the lockout year and it could help him as well.
I think that they realize that they need to bring in another scorer (or two if Gaby is gone). Now the problem is going to be getting one.
When I think back to last off season, they went after Beattle juice, Hossa, and other top flight players, they just were turned down. Like Leiopold has said, we need to land a big one to build some momentum for others.
Right now the Red Wings have such a great situation as people want to be there and will take less to go there or stay. For as crappy of a place as Detroit is, they are sure making it a great place for people to play.
Saku is Mikko’s older brother by about 9 years and at least that many years of NHL level success. I don’t see him spending time in Houston to sand off the rough edges.
Had lunch today with a feller who was telling me the average home price in the greater Detroit metro is $17,000 and no, I didn’t forget a zero. No doubt there are pricier neighborhoods, but still…..
Stoned, sorry, I meant send Sheppard to Houston since we wouldn’t have to have him on the roster with 2 Koivu’s, Bella and Olvecky.
Edubs, sorry im very crabby. Essentially i was trying to figure out what u were trying to say in your post. I didnt get ur point. What was it? That the Wild can’t score and have a moron as GM, etc,etc?
Seasons not even over and im having hockey withdraws already.:(
MissC, do you have a pipeline to DR? Your whining paid off!
Would Saku really want to come here and play with his little brother? Would Mikko really want his big brother here? With the cap projected to shrink, can we really afford to buy talent? I guess we can only wait and see what happens. My only other question would be, will the Mr lose the gut he’s gained while sitting on his tush with his leg in a cast?
Even teams that have arrived need to be building!
Next year, they definitely need two scoring wings assuming Gaby is gone.
They do not need either of them to be as electric as Gaby if they have defensive awareness and can stand in front of the goalie.
How long would it take to clone Nolan?
It would be great to get Saku but is that just a pipe dream?
BG: Two words for your tubby hubby:
Starvation. Diet.
Upon reread, my bad Greg.
Sure BG. Lose a few pounds and now you’re harpin’ about the old man’s disappearing 6 pack abs. But then, watch what happens if he ever says the same thing about 7 months into pregnancy. Not that I’m presuming anything. Been down that road. Hard lesson learned.
You wonder if a falling cap wouldn’t put some decent talent on the market at bargain prices.
First off, for all those that think JL needs to be fired. I think he is doing a OUTSTANDING job of polishing the turd of a team the DR has given him. I think that once JL leaves we will really see how lacking this team really is. I would also guess that DR will be out the door shortly there after. I really think that JL is hurting this team by being able to pull every last bit of talent out of the players that we have and in turn, masks the fact that our team doesn’t have much talent. How many players have come into this team to have career years….. I don’t think it is just timing, I think that is a good coach getting everything he can out of the players he has.
I don’t think this stinker of a season hinged on one play by Zidlicky. This is a team that earned 1 out of 8 points against LA.
Consider the Red Wings granted us a mercy by not giving us a point to prolong this death throe.
Yeah, I dunno Ice. Maybe he reads T3I. Maybe my horrible hockey game last night was the sacrificial lamb the hockey gods needed to turn things around for my teams.
Stoned, I think there must be reason to hope that.
If Calgary could not have a full lineup last time they played us for cap purposes I would think that is perhaps the Wild’s (theoretical) advantage.
Chirpy, you are right, there are lots of places the Wild had a point or two in their hands and let it get away.
Zidlicky was just on the last one and he was not alone.
Maybe it is not the most expensive point lost, but if it becomes the last point then it seems like it.
Zid - Johnsson
Foster - Scott
Bergie - Skoula
If trying Weller out at D means the departure of Zid or Bergie - I’m all for it. Otherwise, why practice him back there?
But, we said that with Burns moving up earlier in the year - just flipped.
The season is all but over. Unless the Preds and Blues and Ducks all pull a Minnesota Wild and just choke the season away…
It’s kind of easy to forget, but the Wild were 1-5 in Alberta this season, 2-4 in California, and 1-6 (so far) on the road against Central Division teams other than Chicago (who we swept at the UC) with one road game remaining (Saturday, at Columbus).
I think we can get free NHL games this week because of opening Baseball week.
With no disrespect to Josh Harding… what do you guys think is in his future, a trade and on draft day or an RFA offer sheet from another club?
The Mr often pokes my shrinking gut and says keep going. So I’m just poking back. He’s mad at himself about the tummy actually.
I think we should still call the Dome dog next year Dome Dogs.
I’m thinking Harding will be fine no matter where he ends up. I would hate to see him go, and would hate to see him go to Montreal or Toronto. Those are two of the hardest places on young goalies, they would do their best to chew him up and spit him out like they’ve done to goalies in the past.
It’s Berts birthday. Happy birthday Bert.
Lucky: there are two trains of thought. Recently DR said to the other newspaper he plans on keeping JH. A certain former FL beat writer has a different thought- JH for draft choices or something to that effect. Hey cue up Matt Thomas on demand for direct quotes. I agree with BG wishing young Mr. Harding the best future possible.
I think it depends upon how well Harding likes riding the pines Lucky.
If he thinks he is ready to be a #1 and presses the Wild about moving him maybe it is done.
I do think they will give him more chances next year but with points being so precious this year there was not much choice but to go with Backstrom.
I think Harding has, at least publicly, shown a great attitude in accepting his role and being supportive!
That says a lot, at least to me. (But alas SGS, I am not Falness ;~} so I really do not know a damn thing).
I didn’t notice zids ill timed pinch until the replay. i did notice 25 fall down.
vs vancouver the D was roasted for falling back and falling back letting the nux walk in. now they are roasted for trying to cut them off at the red line. I think it is just the result of a frustrating season.
Twins have become a model franchise while retaining the same staff for years.
Seems to me that DR can grow in his position too.
Brian Stensaas: GAA=0.00, Save % = 100%.
IceMan, I like the fact that you keep a positive attitude, but I think that DR has had enough time to grow into the position. One thing that the Twins staff has been able to do is acquire young talent, and coach it to it’s potential. DR has had more than enough time to figure out how to get the job done. I said it earlier, and I’ll say it again. Yesterday’s game proved just how far the Wild still need to go to be able to compete with the elite teams in the league. The Wild were as desperate as a they could be, but were still nowhere near good enough(final score and oustanding play from Backstrom aside) to stay with a team that was just tuning up for the playoffs.
The Wild were as desperate as a they could be, but were still nowhere near good enough(final score and oustanding play from Backstrom aside) to stay with a team that was just tuning up for the playoffs.
but then on friday what did they show? granted calgary was depleated but they were a team that was in a dog fight for 1st place in division.
this would be my frustration. that the team can show they can compete with anyone one night and then just stink like bertuzzi the next. not acceptable
Twins have become a model franchise while retaining the same staff for years.
are the twins really a model franchise? while they do produce young talent, they also seem not to be able to keep them once they become FA’s.
they have also been able to take advantage of a week central division for a stretch there.
BG & Mr. BG: good luck with the cast switch out and the walking boot thing. Wishing you an uneventful next phase of rehab & recovery. Perhaps flaming skulls or something equally manly for the next art project/design.
Hey I can hope for Tuesday night that some of the Russoville faithful will win some of the game worn jerseys! I truly hope so.
>>>are the twins really a model franchise?<<<
The fact that they manage to stay competitive in a league with no salary cap is impressive to me. You can argue that the Pohlad’s should have cut loose with some of their personal wealth, but that is a hollow argument. You don’t go into business to lose money. They also seem to do a better job of setting and managing expectations.
The playing field is leveled in a salary capped league and frankly, Smug is getting his butt handed to him.
And those Twins. Man! Opening night! Dome Dogs! Cold Beer! Frostees! If only it were outdoors under the stars…..where its 38 degrees with 15 mile per hour winds out of the NNW gusting to 29 for a wind chill of 30 EFFING Degrees. I sure miss outdoor baseball.
Thanks M. The Mr really wants to take a bath without a garbage bag on his leg and with the walking cast he can take it off and bathe. I wouldn’t suggest getting anywhere near the toes on his broken leg, the smell may make ya yack.
I’m hoping for a sweaty smelly game worn jersey tomorrow night when I go with H for her birthday. But I won’t hold my breath. I don’t win a lot of things.
>>>granted calgary was depleated<<<
Sometimes the Wild get too much credit for a win and it obscures how weak they have become. The Flames were more than depleted, playing back to backs after getting in late and Kipper was bad.
That win was on par with the night they beat San Jose with a chip shot from center ice. It doesn’t say as much about how good the Wild were as how bad the back up San Jose goalie was.
The good thing about the Wild missing the playoffs is we won’t have to watch what the Wings or Sharks would do to them when all hands are on deck and the games really count.
The Wild would be chum in the water.
Put on a coat and quit your beotching Stoned. The roof they planned would have been a glorified umbrella, the sides would be open to the wind and wouldn’t have done jack for the cold. See Seattle’s stadium for how that kind of roof works.
>>>But I won’t hold my breath. I don’t win a lot of things.<<<
Band. See if you can finagle some optimism from Iceman. He’s full to overflowing with it and you sound like you could use a boost.
I’m beyond exhausted Stoned. I don’t think even some borrowed enthusiasm would help this evening. I’m also a pessimist at heart when you get right down to it.
>>>Put on a coat and quit your beotching Stoned.<<<
As I mentioned in a post some time ago, I cut my baby teeth on cold days at the old Met. You kids will find out…..the hard way. Enjoy that future World Series/playoff game under 12 inches of snow.
>>>I’m also a pessimist at heart when you get right down to it.<<<
You don’t say
Come on Stoned, it’s not that much colder (on average) than Cleveland, Detroit or New York.
Oh, and Chicago and Boston… crap! 
Seriously, why would MLB schedule ANY northern city to open at home. Leave that for the southern and west coast teams. Opening here next year in mid-april seems like it would solve a good chunk of the issue.
The Flames were more than depleted, playing back to backs after getting in late and Kipper was bad
back to back don’t mean shat anymore and who cares if kipper was bad? they still had to show up and play. and play a team that is trying to win a division.
me thinks that the wild don’t get credit when they are good because that would lesson some peoples argument that smug is a worthless GM…
BG: you & Boogie (in a sleek business suit) and his jersey. Oommm. Envision it. Someone has to win. Karma.
Badog, the point I was trying to make was I have never seen a pro sports team “possibly” lose this much identity in one season. I would guess Koivu and Backs will get the majority of the media next year, especially after the year Butch and Burns had. Whats makes me worry even more is the Wild may have big $ to land players but this years crop of free agents isn’t that great (at least not to build a team around). Many decisions led to this point, but for me the deal breaker was letting Marian touch the ice the first game of the year without him being resigned long term. Marian had the gun to the head of DR, but DR should have realized it was empty and made the choice to move him. I know hind site is twenty twenty but his track record of injuries backs it up. Atlanta might want to pay attention its already happened to them one time with Heatly.
I was on here right after the game praising the effort against Calgary, and even praising the play of Skoula(as much as it hurts to admit). I obviously can’t blame DR for everything bad and not give credit where credit is due. The signings of Nolan and Brunette have proved to be huge, I mean how bad would this team’s record be without them.
That being said. DR has had more than enough time to prove himself here. The poor draft record(after the first round) pretty much leads to his failings in other areas. Such as the inability to pull off the big trade when needed. This Front office has come up with one very good prospect after the first round, and they used him to get Demitra, and I’m sure that if they had come up with any other big time prospects at any point that they would have a much more talented roster right now. By trade or by development. Which leads me to ask one more question. Is there anyone out there that would take James Shephards potential over Oli Jokinen anymore?
Sorry so long winded. Sometimes it takes me ten sentences to say what most could say in two or three.
>>back to back don’t mean shat anymore and who cares if kipper was bad? they still had to show up and play. and play a team that is trying to win a division.<<
If you want to take your measure of the Wild based on performances against opponents on off nights, have at it. The Wild work hard and are good guys, but it has been demonstrated over the course of the season, that the Wild need an off night from the Flames combined with a superior effort and some breaks to win.
The players and Jock-U have covered Smug’s asp all season long.
Greenstar, that is exactly my point. If the team does something good it is never impressive enough and when they falter it is DR’s fault.
Detractors, you can’t have it both ways.
The masses have loaded Belanger’s gear and dumped it on the street. Remember, he played with a broken toe too when we needed him.
Stoned, like everyone else, I have been kicked, scratched, cheated, bruised and broke.
But, I have had a good life and will be damned if it will be ruined by any spectator sport. I am not smart enough to out think any GM, especially without having the same information as they have.
Teams make their own breaks, Wild included. When they can get Kippur reaching then it is to their credit, it is not an accident.
Stoned, I wish they had built a retractable. But, I guess it is understand why.
It is an accountants decision that the cost of the roof is more expensive than the lost revenue from rainouts.
But, I sympathize with those people who might come from Canada, N/S Dakota, Montana, Nebraska only to find the game they bought tickets to is rained out.
[…] -Minnesota demoted former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Krys Kolanos to Houston of the AHL. […]
Wild beat Dallas/Nashville & Columbus.
Nasville loses to either Detroit or Chicago
St. Louis loses to Columbus and at Colorado Sunday.
Wild finish 8th.
There, my morning kool-aid has been consumed.
But, I have had a good life and will be damned if it will be ruined by any spectator sport. I am not smart enough to out think any GM, especially without having the same information as they have.
That is where we differ Ice, I have a good life AND I am smart enough to out-think Smug…
Well, you did not say that they would do it Deepbreath, so no need for cool aid. You are assuming that St Louis loses to Phoenix. Dont assume they beat Phoenix. The Wild beat Dallas and St Louis loses, it game on again.
If the Notes lose to the BJs and Snowflakes, they can beat the Dogs 44-0 tonight and it still won’t matter. Notes would have 88 pts to the Wild’s 89. Notes don’t have to lose all three of their games for the Wild to get in.
If you want to take your measure of the Wild based on performances against opponents on off nights, have at it.
wild play great and lose its now we are settling for moral victory.
wild play great and win, its because they other team rolled over
wild play bad and lose its because they suck.
wild get outshot by 30 and win it is because backstrom stole the game.
wild take 30 shots and don’t score it is because we have no offense.
I’ve never said the wild were a great team but that doesn’t mean they can’t get a little credit for putting it all together on occasion.
Hey Stoned @ 1:53….
Name-calling? Tisk, tisk. How very “3rd grade-ish” of you.
But I certainly do appreciate the vocabulary lesson, ’cause I honestly didn’t know that narcissists were name-dropppers, ref-lovers, or STH’s. Wow, the things you learn on this blog. Cool.
Oh and BTW, I’ve never owned a USED car or a BMW. Sorry…..
Whether the Wild wins 5-0 or loses 5-0 doesn’t change the fact that this year’s team is average at best. Painfully mediocre and a true testament to the ridiculous formula the HNL uses to award points to losing teams. We’ve all seen the team play very well at times this year and very Bertuzzi at times. Simply an average, at-best, team which is in need of an infusion of offensive talent if it wants to move up the food chain in the West.
I have said that if the Wild make the playoffs they can be dangerous in the playoffs.
Greenstar- your tripping. This team has had major injuries all year long and still do. Now Brent Burns,Bouchard, and Boogy. Before its Gaborik
What would happen if Calgary lost Phenuf and Iginla…..hmmmm . I think you get the point now.
The Star and Tribune rips on the Wild have no meaning in the real world. No franchise that started at the same time the Wild did has performed even close to what the Wild have
The Star and Tribune rips came from a Mpls paper who is trying to help the Timberwolves. You would have to be a retard to believe in the crap they are writing about the Bleak future.
Yes Lemaire might be gone, and I am going to say Russo is on his way out as well given his more frequent time away from his time covering the Wild
Signed Mister Know it all
I have said that if the Wild make the playoffs they can be dangerous in the playoffs.
You also said the Wild would win the cup and misspelled Kool-Aid
The Wild really wouldn’t be in this spot if they hadn’t have blown a number of games that they should have won. There is no such thing as a “Comfortable Lead” when it comes to the Wild. It was always predictable to see them come out of the intermission & play flat & try to play keep away for the remainder of the game if they had that “Big Lead”. The couple of games they had a 3 & 4 goal lead, they let get away due to there “This games in the Bag” attitude. They have done this year after year. And it’s not all about the “Injured Talent” we have…When they played a hard & solid 60 minutes, they were GOOD! The fact is they just skated HARD from time to time & that’s why they are in this mess.
IceMan @ 10:43 pm: +1.
Hey all, I was at an event scheduled for a 1 pm start. At 1:00 we were allowed to go in (~30 minutes delay, what the heck). We sat down and the head honcho came out and said sorry the show has been cancelled. There were seniors having a difficult time standing during the wait, people that drove down from Duluth, others that had pick up rides arranged for 4:30 pm. The establishment did not acknowledge the many hours & $ lost by their paying cutomers. Just a recall of a past event.
Onto more positive thoughts. A Tuesday only chuckle: http://www.uclick.com/client/sto/ob/
You also said the Wild would win the cup and misspelled Kool-Aid
that was “coffee all over the keyboard” funny.
According to MKIA @ 7:12, you have to be a “retard” to believe what Russo wrote on Sunday, and what several on the blog have been saying for months, that the future for the Wild looks rather bleak over the next few seasons.
Well, I guess it’s offical now. In addition to everything else I been called, I guess I’m a retard too. Oh well……
Wild Man: If you’re gonna play the “Wild should have won this game and that game”, for the 2 points you add to the team’s total for the 5-3 loss to Ottawa that they “should have won”, please subtract 2 points from the total for the OT win in San Jose when the team was down 3 goals. The Wild is exactly where it deserves to be, based on it’s painfully inconsistent play.
Geno
Yes Mister Know it all has said that if the Wild make the playoffs ?? they have a shot to go far and yes if they regain health on the team as they should, they can win the cup even this year. This team will play better in the playoffs then in the regular season…. That is what I said Nick from New York. I LIKE THIS ROSTER IN THE PLAYOFFS IF THEY GET IN. Lets face it, they need to get more healthy, but they should by the time the playoffs start one would think
As for Geno— Geno I dont see why the StarTrbune should write that the Wilds future looks Bleak. What in the Wilds history would suggest they dont know what they are doing. Would you rather have the crummy North Stars ?? or how about the Blue Jackets that started the same year the Wild did.
The article was an attempt to strike a blow to a franchise that has had great success, unlike the Minneapolis Twolves
Geno- what GM do you think will come in here and be perfect ?
If they lose Gaborik and Lemaire, they will still move forward and be good
I like Lemaire and dont want him to go. He is by far the best coach Minnesota has ever had and he provides stability when times are tough. If he leaves, it would be too bad. He deserves better then to go out on the finish of this year. I am assuming the Wild dont make the playoffs
If the wild add a 30 plus goal scoring minnesotan that will ease the team of 18,000’s pain next season assuming we lose gaby.
I agree MKIA,
wild are total lose cannons when under the gun and no one wants to play them when they all decide that they are desperate…last game against calgary is latest example
MKIA,
I think that russos opinions are read and talked about behind the scenes at the wild camp,and it seems like they matter.
sometimes his articles have an effect on the team mabey it’s just coincidence but when he calls out players in the paper they seem to turn it up a notch.
Russo knows this and mabey this keen eye perseption of his goes to his head a bit sometimes and he overstates things to get the brass to hear it loud and clear so they act on his perspectives? mabey? just a thought.
MKIA….
Maybe some Decaf, me boy.
No can address ramblings right now. Must find helmet and catch short-bus to game.
D’oh!!!!
year’s team is average at best.
goes with the inconsistency or is it that they are consistently average?
Inconsistently. We have seen this team whitewash the flickers and come back twice from 3-goal deficits against the Minnows. But, we have also seen them lose all 4 games to the Princes and p!ss away a 3-rip lead at home to the Congressmen. Painfully inconsistent.
Geno says: >>>Well, I guess it’s offical now. In addition to everything else I been called, I guess I’m a retard too. Oh well……<<<
Self awareness is the first step to recovery. We’re just trying to help. Also, the powers that be have justifiably deemed the term “retard” offensive and unacceptable for use. Let’s go with developmentally disabled.
Developmentally challenged is the proper PC term, I believe.
It also accurately describes the bulk of the Wild’s forwards.
G*
I am as happy as anybody for the coach and players when they post a W and disappointed for them when they lose. They are a hard working bunch of apparently good guys. It can’t be fun missing the playoffs although making $1M+ and up certainly can take the bite out of it.
My beef is that they are not a team that is positioned for consistent success and that is Smug’s responsibility. Our hardworking boys suffer because he doesn’t do his job. Sneaking a win past Calgary or San Jose makes for an enjoyable evening, but it shouldn’t obscure that fact.
Please feel free to misinterpret the above and put words in my mouth as you see fit in your response.
>>>Developmentally challenged is the proper PC term, I believe.<<<
Like most things in the world these days, unanimity seems unachievable.
SotB…+1
>>>We have seen this team whitewash the flickers and come back twice from 3-goal deficits against the Minnows. But, we have also seen them lose all 4 games to the Princes and p!ss away a 3-rip lead at home to the Congressmen.<<<
Is it me or are you holding a grudge that none of these teams picked your entry in their original “Fans! Name Your New NHL Team Contest!”
Food
kj
I like to paraphrase Einstein when he was asked about remembering details. “Why should I clutter my mind when I have Wikipedia?”
wild 3 stars 1
coyotes 4 blues 2
blackhawks 4 predators 3
wild right back in it we will see you on friday when the wild make it two in a row against the preds
Yes, Inconsistent is THE word Deep Breath. Even if they were to make the play-off’s, Bye-Bye in the first round once again.I love the Wild but,there will be many teams in the post-season that are just plain better when it comes to winning when it really counts. Even in the play-offs, your never sure which team is going to show up. Look back at last years first round with Colorado, when it REALLY counts…They don’t show up.
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