Russo Ramblings on GM search, potential changes, Masterton; Aeros take 1-0 second-round lead
Posted on May 1st, 2009 – 1:06 PMBy Michael Russo
First things first, the Houston Aeros, behind goals from Krys Kolanos and a face from the past, Tomas Mojzis, and 27 saves from the revelation that is Anton Khudobin, beat the Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 in Game 1 of West Division Finals last night. Here’s the link.
Game 2 is in Milwaukee at 7 p.m. Saturday if you have a hockey yearning and want to hop on I-94 and drive east.
Kinda quiet in Wildland, eh? It’s weird covering a team without a general manager AND coach. I think Boston had that for awhile a few years ago because Peter Chiarelli hired Dave Lewis. And I was reminded, the Rangers went without a coach and GM from March to June 1, 2000, when Neil Smith and John Muckler were fired, and eventually Glen Sather hired.
I’ve been getting a few emails from fans wondering what’s taken so long. It’s been two weeks! Calm down. All I can tell you is be patient. This is a phenomenally critical decision. The GM is the most important hire in an organization. Screw this up, and the franchise is set back dramatically. So allow Craig Leipold & Gang the time to do a far and wide search (although, if you’re reading Mr. Leipold, I’m imposing a May 15 deadline because I’m leaving town the next day) :)
Leipold is keeping everything close to the vest, but here are some things I know from recent days:
– Leipold has formed a committee of confidants who are assisting him with the entire process. Chief among them is Jac Sperling, who is currently a board member for Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE). He also currently owns and manages Grit Rock (Rodeo) Ventures based in Minneapolis. He was formerly Vice Chairman of MSE for Bob Naegele and prior to that was CEO of the Wild, while playing an instrumental role in returning the NHL to Minnesota back in 1997 and hiring Doug Risebrough. Sperling is well-respected and known throughout the hockey world.
– I was told yesterday that Sperling was on the phone recently with a long-time NHL team executive to go over the Wild’s list of 20-plus applicants. The list has been weeded down dramatically, and the interview process was supposed to really get started as early as yesterday (Thursday) and at the latest, Monday.
– Leipold has had phone conversations and email exchanges with several candidates. However, it’s tough to know the exact list Leipold’s interested in for a couple reasons. One is this: Several GM’s have contacted Leipold to recommend candidates, like assistant GM’s, letting him know he’s got permission to speak to them. I’ve found out a number of those identities this week, but I haven’t written their names because it’s so deceiving.
Yes, the Wild’s received permission to talk to these “candidates,” but that’s very different than the Wild contacting teams to talk to candidates. And I’ve since learned that the Wild, even though they’ve gotten permission to speak to some people, really aren’t considering some of the names I know but haven’t written (hope that makes sense).
– One name I keep hearing they’re really focusing on is Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Chuck Fletcher. It’s a sensitive topic right now because the Penguins are in the second round and nobody wants to create distractions for them. But the Wild wants to talk to Fletcher, has received permission to do so, and GM Ray Shero — whom Leipold knows well because he used to be assistant GM in Nashville — is really pushing for Fletcher. The Harvard-educated Fletcher is immensely respected, is young at age 41, in 16 years has been to three Stanley Cup Finals (Florida, Anaheim and Pittsburgh) and has been around the game his whole life (Cliff Fletcher’s son).
– I keep hearing that Pierre McGuire, the longtime NHL TV personality and former Hartford Whalers coach and Pittsburgh assistant coach – is “enamored” by people inside the Wild offices. I know he’s got friends inside NHL headquarters that are pushing his name. He’s long wanted to get back into management, and he knows everybody in the league. And because of his job, he’s probably seen more NHL players and prospects close up than any manager or scout around. I do hear he’s going to get an interview, and boy, you know he’d be aggressive and a quote.
– I still think Leipold is very intrigued by Nashville assistant GM Paul Fenton and Director of Hockey Ops Mike Santos. I think he plans to talk to both — if it hasn’t happened already.
– And I keep hearing that Pat Quinn, Doug MacLean and Jay Feaster are very much interested in the job, with reciprocal interest from inside the Wild. I will say this: I keep hearing Quinn mostly wants to coach again, and although he’d take the GM’s job, he just loves coaching and most consider him a better coach. But one would think the Wild would allow the new GM to hire the coach.
– And you know there are always mystery candidates that haven’t been revealed yet. I’ve heard some very, very interesting names, but since I haven’t been able to confirm, I haven’t written them. Of course, if one of them is hired, I’ll probably beat myself up over not writing it for months.
– I know a lot of you are praying this team makes a big free-agency splash. I still think the smartest thing to do, and the thing these guys probably would do instead, is make their splashes via trade rather than free-agent signings.
What else do I feel like rambling about?
– I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how many things will change around here. It’ll be fun to cover. For instance, watching Sergei Fedorov score the winner the other night for Washington. At last year’s trade deadline, I got a lot of emails from readers wondering why I never included Fedorov in as a center possibility to trade for. It’s because I knew Doug Risebrough wasn’t a fan. And when you learn GM traits or opinions, you often just discount things. It’s the same reason why I didn’t list a guy, like say, Marc Crawford or Quinn as a coaching candidate. It’s because I knew Risebrough wouldn’t consider them.
Well, no more. A new GM means I can no longer have pre-conceived ideas about what they’ll do or won’t do, which will be fun.
I’ve even been thinking about trivial on-ice things. I watched the Vancouver-Chicago game last night with a friend. I pointed out to him how three Canucks dove to try to block a Brent Seabrook shot at one point. That’s something you’d never see from a Wild player with Jacques Lemaire as the coach. Not that it’s right or wrong, but Lemaire wanted players to stand in shooting or passing lanes and never leave their feet. Now even something like that may change under a new coach.
Everything will be new. It’ll be kind of cool. Incidentally, allow this shameless plug for some friends, but we watched the game with Davina and the Vagabonds playing live in the background. Go to their web site to see where they’re playing because they’re awesome, and incredible live.
– Boy, how about San Jose choking again? Can’t blame the coaches anymore, eh? New coaching staff. Blame now gets pointed at the common denominators, and those include guys like Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Check out this indictment of a quote from Sharks coach Todd McLellan in the San Jose Mercury News: “One wears the C, the other the A. Frankly the team hasn’t succeeded with them driving the bus.”
And on the Sharks’ lack of intensity in the playoffs: “You can’t just go to Costco and pick it up, but it’s an essential ingredient to winning.”
– Interesting that Richard Zednik’s signed a two-year deal in the KHL, eh? Remember, this is a player who last season had his life saved because of the incredible medical care he received in Buffalo when Olli Jokinen’s skate slashed his throat. You’d think such an incident would prove to you that the NHL is the place to be.
Lastly, I’ve got to rant real quickly about the Masterton voting process — one I won’t take part in again if the Professional Hockey Writers Association conducts it this ridiculously in future years.
Every chapter picks a nominee from the team they cover. The chapter chairman writes a bio, the 30 bios are put together and sent out to the membership for voting.
This year, the PHWA sent out all 30 bios, but on a trial run, had a “committee” cut down the list of 30 into a list of “favorites.” While the PHWA board urged the membership to read all 30 bios and vote from there, on April 12, the board sent out a list of five “top candidates” as chosen by this “committee.” This was apparently discussed at one of our PHWA meetings, which is absurd to begin with considering we live in an economic climate where many newspapers don’t send their writers to the major events where these meetings are held — All-Star Games and Stanley Cup Finals.
The “top candidates” were Florida’s Richard Zednik, Nashville’s Steve Sullivan, Vancouver’s Alex Burrows, Detroit’s Chris Chelios and New Jersey’s Scott Clemmenson.
Now, I will be honest. I went a tad loco at the time. I fired off a reply email April 12 to PHWA President, Kevin Allen, and secretary-treasurer, Alan Adams, saying, this is “absolutely wrong” and it “completely taints the process.”
Now, this might sound like sour grapes because Kurtis Foster wasn’t among the five “top candidates.” I’ll admit that might have spurred my reaction when I witnessed this guy be the personification of what the award is — perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. And I will also admit to you that a big part of my critical email to Kevin and Alan had to do with how a “committee” of people who allegedly watch hockey for a living could justify campaigning for voters to consider Alex Burrows a “top candidate” for an award that includes sportsmanship in its description.
But I promise, the major part of my problem was the precedent this set. It just completely taints the credibility of the award when a “committee” recommends the “top candidates” to vote for. As hockey writers, we vote for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Selke and Lady Byng. With our ballots, I never see the NHL send a recommendation sheet.
No, we have 600-plus names to choose from.
Well, with the Masterton, it is already broken down for us into only 30 players. If you’re a hockey writer who is incapable of finding the 10 minutes to skim through 30, 100-word paragraphs, you should not vote. But to ask at a meeting to have those 30 cut down, and then actually have that motion pass, is absurd.
Now, I’m not saying that Richard Zednik, Steve Sullivan and Chris Chelios aren’t deserving of the award — in fact, two of those players got votes from me — but I am saying, we will always have to wonder how the voting would have changed if this “committee” didn’t send out a separate email with “top candidates.”
But that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong. Incidentally, after this blog, my PHWA cards since 1995 might be collectors items 
165 Responses to "Russo Ramblings on GM search, potential changes, Masterton; Aeros take 1-0 second-round lead"
Hey Russo -
What’s going on with the GM search?
Michael - foreshadowing or are you going to be a trophy husband? Hope not. Thank you so much for the behind the scenes on the Masterton award process or lack of process,
“You can’t just go to Costco and pick it up, but it’s an essential ingredient to winning.”
If you could, i’d have it.
that’s crazy about the Masterton process. Thanks for the update, Russo.
re:Burrows…besides him being a jack arse, what was his story for nomination? was it because he overcame being picked on as a kid and having his girlfriend stolen by PMB?
only to become a pest for the pest filled canucks?
Much appreciated insights, what I love this blog for. All the details we’ll never see in print.
Thanks for blogging about something, Russo. It was getting way too quiet, and I was bored and waiting for something!
G* - He overcame adverstity and defied the odds of being the Northwest’s most hated player, pulling himself out of the shadow of one Matt Cooke and stealing the spotlight.
It’s a heart-warming story really…
*note* I know Cooke is in the East, but consider it “based on actual events”
GreenStar, if they had it at Costco, I’d have an 11 gallon tub of it.
*stands and cheers* Fight the good fight, Russo. That’s even worse than I imagined re: the Masterton.
And speaking of the Sharks, I think it’s pretty interesting to contrast the end-of-season comments from McLellan and Wilson to what we’ve gotten from the Wild in recent seasons.
I say its between Fletcher and Sheehy.
Oops, link didn’t take.
Having a committee to pare down the list is almost like having a committee ’select’ the participants for the playoffs.
Oh wait…NCAA…nevermind.
It’s good news to hear that Chuck Fletcher is being considered. If only he can replicate the draft lottery to select another STK, we’ll be golden.
Here’s a bit more from the Sharks.
bringing in CL’s old nashville buddies will not excite me
I don’t mind giving serious consideration to McGuire. He has had a serious lust affair with the wild the past few years. I think this is why he called them out at the deadline.
also on McGuire, he is certainly well-versed with the prospects.
“perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
OK, so I can see how Canucks haters in other cities might scratch their heads over quality # 2, but if you were to live in Vancouver and know the history and personality of Burrows you would most certainly know why he exemplifies qualities # 1 and qualities # 3. I can understand the hate for him, but if you were here, you’d know why the sports writers nominated him, that’s all I can say.
Wow. Doug Wilson is not about ‘managing expectations’ or Excuse Grabbing™ is he?
So, Alan, what you’re saying is 2 outta 3 ain’t bad?
but if you were here, you’d know why the sports writers nominated him, that’s all I can say.
and i’m not there but here so I don’t know d!ck about him except he hates PMB for either stealing his lunch money, stealing his girlfriend, banging his sister or all of the above
I bet Burrows only made the fave five because they got to four and realized they didn’t have a Canadian team represented.
In other words, he’s the pity vote.
So, Alan, what you’re saying is 2 outta 3 ain’t bad?
Isn’t that a song? Burrows is apparently the team’s most popular player within the team. He is always the last to leave the ice after games because he high-fives every teammate as they leave the ice. This guy just bleeds his love for hockey.
I don’t know d!ck about him except he hates PMB for either stealing his lunch money, stealing his girlfriend, banging his sister or all of the above
Well maybe so. But there’s more to him than that…And I think I’ve seen Burrow’s girlfriend and I don’t blame him for trying to steal her way.
Actually the song I was thinking of for Burrows was:
Once…
Twice…
Three times a lady…
My vote is for Pierre McGuire for GM. I want someone in here who is aggressive enough to package up Harding, Sheppard or Butch, and either Johnson or Zidlicki with our first overall pick to go get Teveras.
It opens cap room, provides us another true goal scorer in the event Gabby leaves and if Gabby stays we have two solid Centers for him to play with. Oh, and he was teammates with Clutterbuck so he’ll fit into the chemistry of things right away given how much everyone loves Cal.
I want someone in here who is aggressive enough to package up Harding, Sheppard or Butch, and either Johnson or Zidlicki with our first overall pick to go get Teveras.
i want someone who will force colorado, tampa or whoever gets the first pick to trade it to us for harding, sheppard, butch and either johnson or zidlicki.
I want what Green* wants!
lol…
Obviously you can’t force anyone and knowing your history Green*, you were mocking me. My point was that I’ll take the more aggressive GM (and Russo mentions that he thinks McGuire is just that).
You’re “trade” offers up a litte more than what I listed, but I think the Wild need to make a push for JT. The Islanders need a lot more help then one player and giving them the players I listed gets them farther along in their rebuilding efforts than selecting one guy. Not to mention that the Islanders have a ton of picks in this draft so they could move this pick for more proven NHL talent and still continue to build through the draft.
If you don’t want major changes like this as a Wild fan, you’re crazy.
Alan, in all seriousness, is that really Burrows’ story - that he’s a great teammate? Obviously, that’s great for him and the Nucks, but I have usually thought of the Masterton as something of a come-back award.
If you don’t want major changes like this as a Wild fan, you’re crazy.
Well, if that’s the standard, then why don’t we just make a trade for Toews and Kane.
Wow. Doug Wilson is not about ‘managing expectations’ or Excuse Grabbing™ is he?
Not so much.
it meant to be an exact copy of your trade, should have cut and paste.
I don’t see sheppard or pmb, yawnson or zids and harding and our 1st, getting a top 3 pick in return. yawnson or zids are UFA and would only be around a year. sheppard and pmb are busts according to most here, so you get our mid 1st round pick and harding who again, most here do not think is ready to be a top goalie.
I admire the willingness to push the envelope but if i’m on the other side, why would i take all these castoffs?
I love watching a TSN game where McGuire is doing color. Both when he’s doing the NHL games, and when he was doing the WJCs, he provides a ton of insight. The guy clearly knows his stuff. Whether that would translate to being successful in the GM role… no idea. But as Russo says, he’d be a good quote.
why don’t we just make a trade for Toews and Kane.
or zetterberg and datsyuk. i mean it’s just that easy.
it worked for other TV peeps going back to the game…tortarella, mullet
maybe we can hire nanne as GM. he can hire wooger as coach, wooger hires sonmor as asst. Then we state that we will only draft player that were born in minnesota or played at the U of M.
that will get the fans interested
It’s just not going to happen that any team with a top pick is going to trade it anyway. How often does that happen between the end of the season and draft day? They’ve got these high picks because they are bad and need to rebuild and the best way to do that is to draft the next superstar, usually with a high pick.
However, my hunch is that whoever takes over the reigns will likely have some philosophical differences of opinion than Risebrough had with what he wants to do with the roster, and will likely try to change the face of the team to that philosophy as quickly as possible. So I would definitely expect changes early and often.
maybe we can hire nanne as GM. he can hire wooger as coach, wooger hires sonmor as asst. Then we state that we will only draft player that were born in minnesota or played at the U of M.
Looks like Guru Dan is taking over people’s screen name again
I remember going to the visitation for Bill Masterton. Burrows is about as far from a Masterton as you can get. Writers didn’t vote him in. He was selected as a “favorite” by a committee and which still didn’t work for him. I too thought the Masterton was more about overcoming adversity, but may have misunderstood the actual criteria. I guess I wouldn’t be alone.
How about this nugget from Wilson:
“People tried to use this comment, someone called and tried to pacify me saying the journey is the reward. That is a crock. This is pro sports, winning is the only thing that matters.”
He’s dead on about winning being the only thing that matters in pro sports, but what other pro sports executive has ever said it so directly?
Vince Lombardi?
We can disagree on talent value.. i’m fine with that. And the players that you and Hockeydad (from the peanut gallery) listed are proven NHL superstars, not one of the top three prospects like JT. There is still a big difference between that too.. however if you two feel that JT is Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Toews or Kane… then why wouldn’t you want to go after him with whatever you think it will take to get him?
Lets just say that PMB and Shepp are busts as you state, and Harding isn’t worth much because he isn’t ready to be the Top Goalie on a team yet… then why would the Wild do anything but dump everybody they could for picks and just hit the reset?
I’d prefer they didn’t since I don’t want my STH money flushed for a long season of AHL hockey. I’d prefer they make some moves to get us back in contention right away next year.
Lets hope the GM-to-be isn’t interesting in the “DR copyright 5-year plan”.
—This is pro sports, winning is the only thing that matters.”—
Spoken like a true player, coach or GM. From an owner’s standpoint however, making money makes losing a lot easier to take than winning makes losing money easier to take.
“Actually the song I was thinking of for Burrows was:
Once…
Twice…
Three times a lady…”
I fell down laughing in the wet grass.
then why would the Wild do anything but dump everybody they could for picks and just hit the reset?
because you can’t just dump. salary cap won’t let that happen. other teams need to have the room and want to take on that salary.
or maybe trading is just that easy but most GM’s in the league are too stupid to know that.
wild GM to detroit GM: say i reall like that zetterberg kid. he’d look great on my team. tell you what. i’ll give you harding and sheppard for him. and, because i’m in a giving mood, i’ll throw in zidlicky. what ya say?
detroit GM to wild GM: hot damn!!! I get three players and only need to give up one? I’ll take that any day of the week and twice on sunday. send my lawyer the papers to get signed, i need to go polish the stanley cup.
sorry, this Masterton thing is still bugging me.
isn’t Kevin Allen based out of the Motor City? Maybe he and Chelly are tight from Chris’ days wearing the Winged Wheel?
I’d sure hate to think that cronyism is creeping into the fourth estate (with all due respect, Russo…)
Forget Pierre McGuire; he sucks.
Fletcher sounds cool. Can he bring Evgeni Malkin with him?
Can he bring Evgeni Malkin with him?
hell yes. trades are easy. just send harding, sheppard and zidlick to pittsburgh.
done deal
McGuire - he’s made his feelings on fighting pretty clear. As such, if he becomes the new GM say goodbye to Boogaard.
hell yes. trades are easy. just send harding, sheppard and zidlick to pittsburgh.
Jeez Green*…I know they’re valuable and all, but they can only be traded once!
I think the only real traedable asset the Wild have is Marney. Think Green* would veto that move?
We can disagree on talent value.. i’m fine with that. And the players that you and Hockeydad (from the peanut gallery) listed are proven NHL superstars, not one of the top three prospects like JT. There is still a big difference between that too.. however if you two feel that JT is Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Toews or Kane… then why wouldn’t you want to go after him with whatever you think it will take to get him?
That <> sound is the point sailing over Schmidty’s head.
Let me try again…
That *whooshing* sound is the point sailing over Schmidty’s head.
Michael - thanks for the food. Man, the blog hasn’t been this active since the flurry a few weeks ago. The Masterton pre-selection is horrid. It slighty masks a political power thing. Ick. Must wrap up with something positive - go Aeros!
If I am the Isles, I keep that pick unless someone is giving me really really good youg talent. Do they need more than just JT to turn it around there? Of course. The best thing they could hope for is to have a top-3 pick again next year. Starting to sound a lot like the Pens and Hawks, isn’t it?
Yawn.. bored with the Hockey Genius’ of GreenStar and Hockeydad.
# of posts on the board = Hockey IQ I guess… lol
I was trying to make a point that we need a Wild GM who will make big moves and that includes at least trying for the overall pick. Obviously in true fashion… the nit-picking begins and drones on and on…
I guess it’s easier to rip someones opinion then come up with your own.
kj: good one. Green* - you are making us wait…. okay whisper the name Marney… his ears perk up…
** 1st overall pick it was supposed to read.
Again, rip away… you have all the answers. I’ll just read your strokes of genius from this point on.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
kj: one more thing - watch hockey. the cool stuff on the 100 watt jones webpage can wait. stk - ao and SCP games should be a priority.
Yeah, even though STK is hyped more than our band in Russoville, I will watch that series closely.
Just ‘cuz I think it will be so much fun.
Must see ho-ckey!
I have usually thought of the Masterton as something of a come-back award.
I too thought the Masterton was more about overcoming adversity, but may have misunderstood the actual criteria.
Well, from what Russo and the local Vancouver media have said, the only Masterton qualification is: “perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey”
It doesn’t say anything about either comebacks or overcoming adversity.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t think most people outside of Vancouver know enough about Burrows to say that he doesn’t qualify.
The real question is, WTF did Backstrom get a Vezina nomination for? Like, come on?
Schmidty -
I think that there’s a distinct balance between having an aggressive GM and having a reckless GM. We want a consistent winner like Detroit; not a team like Colorado that falls apart when its stars start retiring.
Green* -
As far as Shep and PMB being busts is concerned, I think that it may be a bit premature to say. Now I was one of Jacques Lemaire’s biggest fans, but I think that these are two players that may benefit from having a new system around them. Not to say that their development (or lack thereof) was Lemaire’s fault but that, as Lemaire said himself, it was time for a change.
It’ll be interesting to see what the new GM does, but I’ll be very, very surprised if he blows up this roster in the first year.
Alan -
Then explain to us people who are uneducated as to why Burrows qualifies for the Masterton, other than the fact that he’s a good teammate.
And really? You want to know why Backstrom got the Vezina nomination? Try that he was the sole reason that the Wild were even CLOSE to a playoff spot.
—Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t think most people outside of Vancouver know enough about Burrows to say that he doesn’t qualify.—
Exactly. If they knew him like we do, he wouldn’t be in the running for anything to do with sportsmanship.
Alan. Please. Do the math on the Vezina. Apparently last night’s Jag shots haven’t completely flushed from your system. And that wasn’t based on committee recommendations.
For Alan…
37 Wins (5th)
2.33 GAA (T-3rd)
.923 Saves % (4th)
8 shutouts (3rd)
Oh, and the Wild was 22nd in goals for and had the #2 penalty kill (goalie is your #1 penalty killer). Is that enough for you?
Is there a fit from the Wild’s viewpoint in a trade of Harding to the Flyers?
I was shocked when Foster wasn’t selected for the Masteron. I’m a fan of ye ol’ Chelios and Zednik certainly spilled enough blood to get a nod for the award, but Foster not getting in was tough to swallow. It makes sense now, though, thanks to Russo. Thanks for the insight! That would have eaten away at me all summer–especially if Burrows gets the win. Gross.
Kevin -
I would say that, if Backstrom is healthy, there is a fit for Harding on just about any team that is in need of a goalie. We’ll take Carter off your hands! :-p
Blake -
Any serious proposals?
For Alan…
37 Wins (5th)
2.33 GAA (T-3rd)
.923 Saves % (4th)
8 shutouts (3rd)
Oh, and the Wild was 22nd in goals for and had the #2 penalty kill (goalie is your #1 penalty killer). Is that enough for you?
OK.
Foster could always win the trophy next year.
Alan -
T. Thomas is a shoe-in for the Vezina, but Backstrom had a helluva year. People can claim it’s because of the defensive scheme, but simplistically, the goalie still has to make saves.
Brad…Sorry, don’t know why I thought your name was Kevin there. All work and no play makes Blake a dull boy?
Anyway…We’ll throw in Weller and Gaborik if you give us a used puck bag too?
Ok I’m a little weirded out. Green rooting for Pierre McGuire for GM and making wacky trade proposals that wouldn’t even stick on the HF Boards. You either have swine flu or severe hockey withdrawals.
Here’s the way I look at the Vezina…
Mason - Team likely would have missed the playoffs and sitting in the lottery if not for him.
Backstrom - Team would have likely been sitting in the top 6 or 7 in the draft if not for him.
Thomas - Good goalie, great season, but the team probably still would have been in the playoff hunt because of the defense in front of him as well as their offense.
To me, Mason walks away with it.
Blake -
As great as Harding would be in the orange and black, there’s no way of prying Jeff Carter out of Holmgren’s hands.
I assume the Wild would be more interested in help now? As opposed to picks and prospects?
Backstrom - Team would have likely been sitting in the top 6 or 7 in the draft if not for him.
Yeah but now you miss the playoffs AND you miss out on the chance to get a top draft pick (Tavares, etc). It kind of sucks to be a team that misses out on both dances, I guess.
Brad -
Ah well…A guy can dream. :-p
More than likely the Wild would be in the market for someone who could help now.
My guess is that, as slim as the pickings are for free agent goalies, whomever gets the GM spot would try to make the Flyers overpay slightly for Harding. This could mean a player that could step in now and a prospect or draft pick.
Go ahead and sing. One of us will have the job soon enough…
Yours truly,
mystery candidates
Screw the Flyers…I hate them as much as the Rangers and the Canucks…
Alan -
Considering the depth at forward in this draft, not really. You can still get a player who will be a solid player down the road at 12.
And I’m still waiting to hear how Burrows is a good candidate for the Masterton.
Russo: Rant about whether you think the new management will likely invite Kalus and/or voloshenko to camp this next year!
Late to the party.. but: “campaigning for voters to consider Alex Burrows a “top candidate” for an award that includes sportsmanship in its description.’
That made me lol. Awesome.
And I’m still waiting to hear how Burrows is a good candidate for the Masterton.
I’m not taking the bait. I know how you guys feel about him, so it would be a waste of time. You’ll just twist what I say. I could go on about how he gives 150% every game and works harder than anyone else on the ice (”dedication”), I could go on about how he went from being an undrafted ECHL/ball league player to a top line forward (”dedication”), I could go on about how sometimes when the entire team looks listless he is the only player to show spark and energy and get his team going (”sportsmanship”), but if I said any of those things you won’t understand or believe me, so please don’t make me waste my time.
I’m not the one who nominated him, go ask them why.
Mother smurfers… so coming back from an injury that in 8 out of 10 cases would be a career ending injury is not Masterson “top five” worthy? Bull pucky. And if Burrow’s gets it that would be as bad as giving Cal the Lady Byng (lets face it, Cal talking back to “The Great One” means he will never win something like the Lady Byng, to much moxy in the boy).
Alan -
You unintentionally gave a pretty good explanation. Going from an undrafted ECHLer to a top line forward is a pretty good reason for the nomination, especially if there’s not really anyone else on the team that really fits the idea of the award. To me, that’s more what the Masterton is about than being a good teammate or an energetic player. I still have a hang up about the sportsmanship thing, but I guess if Claude Lemieux can get nominated, so can Burrows! lol
Alan, my biggest beef with the Burrows nod is what adversity has he overcome? Fossie came back from a broken femur, Zednick got his throat slashed open, I thought the Masterson was at least partially about overcoming something. I think that’s what people are trying to get at, what has he overcome?
Yay! I may have succeded at convincing someone about something Canucks-related! My work here is done. I can go home now.
And Bandgeek, there still seems to confusion among you guys about what the Masterton is about, so I’ll let you discuss that among yourselves.
Alan, my biggest beef with the Burrows nod is what adversity has he overcome?
Well, everyone’s making fun of him for the hair-pulling thing. Poor guy. That’s got to be tough to take.
Seems to me Kyle Wellwood should’ve gotten nominated from Vancouver. At the beginning of the year, he was looking like he was out of the league, ridiculed for being fat and out of shape when he came to the Canucks, caught a break when Demitra went down, made the most of it and is having a really nice season. Has had some personal adversity to deal with in his life as well (Dad is bipolar).
Toivo -
That’s a very good point. Not to mention he’s single handedly keeping every McDonalds in Vancouver in business. 
I can’t beleive Risebrough only got fired two weeks ago. It feels like months have gone by!
I don’t think anyone (even Burrows-hating Wild faithful) would argue that Burrows could be an obvious pick as the Canucks’ nomination, though Toivu’s argument about Wellwood is alright, too. The committee campaign stuff, however, clearly must have had an effect on what is largely considered a half-arsed nomination. Though it’s clear Alan is a Burrows fanboy, it doesn’t sound like Alan is totally convinced that Burrows should be a finalist. Fair enough?
As disappointed as I was that Foster didn’t make it as a finalist, I can very much understand why the three that made it did.
Sullivan - Came back from a supposedly career ending back injury.
Zednik - Enough said.
Chelios - Playing hockey well into his 90’s is no small feat.
True enough, Encrimson’d. Even though I like Burrows, I can definately see Wellwood as a more obvious candidate for that type of award.
So yes, I can understand that Burrows can push the boundaries a bit too far for him to be considered for an award that includes good “sportsmanship”.
(Hmmm. If he had only left Duncan Keith’s beautiful flowing locks alone.)
It would have also helped Burrows if he could avoid - using a trampoline to check opposing players, dropping the gloves first and throwing punches at known non-fighters, taking a cheap shot at a skilled player and turtling until a ref can save him. Did I miss anything? I’m sure I did.
Is Kevin Allen getting royalties from sales of the ‘Cheli-Cart?’ 
I just cringe when I hear that Burows is nominated by the Vancouver PHWA chapter. Now I know why Vancouverites never think of the Canucks properly. Neither can their hockey writers…
Foster was a 30X better candidate than Burrows. When you go Paul Bunyan on Mikko Koivu’s leg, that disqualifies you from any award, especially one where “sportsmanship” is a criteria.
Yes, Wellwood would have been a better candidate. Who hates Wellwood that much that they wouldn’t nominate the kid?
—It kind of sucks to be a team that misses out on both dances, I guess.—
Who would know that better than a long term Canucklehead. 39 years. You haven’t won anything yet.
Wassamatter Alan. Willie wouldn’t autograph your Canucks lunchbox when you saw him yesterday. You’re acting kinda gritty today.
mixed moods. I’m on the hockey blog with fresh food from Russo and listening to the Twins pre-game on the radio.
ATX: WOOO first week! A virtual high five to you and your beloved - good time to celebrate the great things happening in the world.
Alright Russo…..here is one that you probably have been reticent to mention at this point…Steve Yzerman! I am not trying to start a huge conspiracy here, but I know for a fact (from a friend of a friend that is involved in the real estate market in the metro area) that he was in town this past week looking at properties in the Western Suburbs. Apparently he is into horses and was looking for a sizeable property to accomdate them all.
Now, my question to everyone is, why else would this guy be looking for properties in the metro area, especially during a time in which his team is in the middle of the Stanley Cup playoffs?
You’re acting kinda gritty today.
Oh well, that’s what we Canucks are like, I guess. Let’s hope you (and the Blackhawks, and then the Ducks) can take it.
Damn it, Russo, don’t just sit there. Do something!
Please don’t. Russo scares me. I have read his columns and heard him on the radio and he doesn’t like the Canucks very much.
Alan buddy. You’ve won 5 straight in the playoffs and you’re trolling a Wild message board? The nuns at the orphanage must be very proud.
Michael - a minor retraction on my part. Trpohy husband: hope not has been changed to - if it works for you, great! Hah, just wondering if you pay attention to the residents.
What other local band worth a listen (and cover charge) besides 100 watt jones and Davina and the Vagabonds? I am trying to get some buddies out to hear some decent music. Suggestions?
Thoughts on the SCP games? stk or ao, bos or car, van or chi, det or ana. Any goalies playing out of this world?
Oh, please. What would you talk about if I wasn’t here?
Your non-existent GM? Your non-existent coach? Your non-existent playoffs?
If I have to go back to Canucks.com, my posts would look like this:
“Wooooooooooo!!! Canucks Rock!!!!! Let’s go Canucks!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!”
—If I have to go back to Canucks.com, my posts would look like this:—-
And the average IQ of both boards would simultaneously increase by 50%
M 03: my personal preferences on who I want to see win this round Detroit (3-2 win tonight), Blackhawks (lost), Capitals, & Bruins (4-1 win tonight). I would then like a Blackhawks/Bruins match up. Don’t have strong preference on the winner of those two but leaning a little more toward Boston because I like their goalies :-).
I am pretty sure Davina & the Vagabonds were at Legends in St. Cloud sometime in the last 6 months for Wednesday night Blues. They were really good. She has a great voice that reminds me of Amy Winehouse.
VS explained the octopus throwing tonight. The Wings/Ducks game was pretty good, or at least the parts I caught when I looked up from the book I was immersed in.
It’s one thing not to put the rumors in the newspaper because that’s suppose to be legit reporting, but to with hold rumors from the blog is foolish. A blog is exactly the space you should be putting each and every rumor you hear and wade threw them giving reasons why and why not those rumors have any validity to them.
Alan, I don’t think we’re making fun of Burrows for the hair pulling thing. Well, we should, but it just hasn’t been brought up yet.
My thing is this — sportsmanship has not exactly been displayed as a part of his game. Nor has perseverence. I believe that is where the problem we seem to have is. When you’re missing two out of the three qualifications, are you really qualified?
Dedication? Sure, maybe he has that.
I don’t have as much exposure to that as perhaps you do. Fine, he is dedicated to playing in the NHL and making tons of money. I’m so proud of him. Not enough for me. Or apparently others on here.
Sorry if I’m repeating, I haven’t read all of the comments.
Oh, and hair-pulling should automatically eliminate you from contention for an award that involves sportsmanship.
There’s also a good chance that I’ll find every viable excuse to hate Burrows, seeing as how he hates my boy PMB. But still, the hair pulling has got to be ridiculed..
I think if you can’t see why a guy is up for the Masterton without being a fan of the team he’s on… if the values associated with the award aren’t apparent without intimate knowledge of the team and the player… the player probably shouldn’t be considered anywhere in the top of the rankings for it. Not that he’s not the most deserving for *that team*, but you’d hope the qualities the award stands for would be readily apparent to anybody familiar with the player’s situation for the guys who are front runners for it.
Here are my final thoughts on Burrows (then hopefully we can leave him alone and get back to hockey topics that really matter, such as the incoming GM or coach):
The Masterton is an award for “the player that most exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship AND dedication.” It’s not perseverance, sportsmanship or dedication…That and in there has a big part to do with why Russo, myself and pretty much every other Wild fan on here are so confused as to why Burrows would have been nominated.
He’s having a solid season and a solid playoffs; but he has done nothing that I would consider to exemplify sportsmanship this season, nor in his entire career.
Alan says: “My work here is done. I can go home now.”
AMEN!!!!
Honestly Alan, isn’t there a fire hydrant somewhere that’s calling your name?
Re: Burrows for the Masterton Award… LOL. You just can’t make s**t like that up.
3 most underrated players in the NHL:
1. Ryan Kesler
2. Mikko Koivu
3. Alexandre Burrows
honorable mention:
1. the head case Sean Avery
2. everyone on the Caps not named Semin, Ovie, Green, Backstrom, and awful Nylander.
3. Brenden Morrow
You could stick a pylon between the Sedin sisters and it would score goals.
was-pit game- 2nd period stick save by the WAS goalie on stk was brilliant.
Anybody see Keith Jones on Versus last night between periods after Hudler got crushed? His melon was about to pop off he was so angry at the head hit. As was Engblom. “Suspend him for the rest of the series!” Now, I would agree that the 10 stitch cut was probably a visor issue, but it was definitely a hit only slightly less vicious than Brashear’s.
So what does he get from Colin Campbell. Nothing. The unpredictably of Campbell is befuddling. I get the impression, ironically, that he is a guy who has taken far too many head shots and can’t think straight.
I swear the guy swallows Loonies and then determines suspensions by whether he craps them heads or tails.
M 03…Make sure to catch 100 watt jones on 3/30 @ The Blue Fox and 6/26 @ MN Music Cafe.
We could use some friendly faces at those HUGE live music venues…
Caps v Pens was all I had hoped for…
SoTB…what???
No suspension???
You’ve GOT to be kidding???
Anyone that wonders why the NHL isn’t a major sport need look no further…
No suspension? The nhl on network broadcast showed the nasty elbows thus far in the SCP games. My head started to hurt. However, the WAS-PIT game was a bunch of fun.
kj: I am trying to get my buddies to the Blue Fox on the 30th. I can show up, ask for the McFish jingle, then get escorted out the door. Hah.
Careful out on the roads. Prom season and more. Have your beverages, have fun and let the sober person drive.
Poop. Aeros lost 4-1. Heading home now for game 3 Tuesday.
Yeah…Burrows sure deserves the Masterton, doesn’t he?
Effin turtle.
Its getting ugly. The Canucks once they are going to lose tend to start trouble.
Pretty quiet in GM Place tonight. A very pleasant surprise.
kj beat me to it. Masterton Committee Favorite Alexandra Burrows showing us why.
Don’t worry Alan. I’m sure Bobby Lu will figure out how to get his GAA below 4 before the series is out, the old Nucks will find their legs, and the Hawks will go flat.
- Aeros going home 1-1, we will take that given the scouting report from mrs. c
- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports “Chuck Fletcher is expected to interview soon for the vacant Minnesota Wild GM job” - http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_623424.html
kj says:
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
SoTB…what???
No suspension???
You’ve GOT to be kidding???
suspension for what? hitting too hard?
Brashear shouldn’t have gotten suspended either. same hit, no blood.
Ms. C: The Aeros did what they had o do in Swill-waukee. They won one. Now if they can hold serve at home, they should be in good shape. (Of course, you and others have made mention of the Aeros’ ‘win one, lose one’ mentality, just like the big club).
Didn’t see the hit on Hudler, so really can’t comment, other than Colin Campbell metes justice in the NHL out vey unevenly. One guy gets five games, the next guy — doing the same thing, only worse — gets nothing?
There was your Masterton finalist in all his glory last night, jumping Toews from behind after they had been separated once already by the linesmen. Lotta sportsmanship there, Alex. So typical of a team that is losing — just like Vancouver will.
Burrows should have never been named a finalist. Foster is still 30X more deserving than this loser.
two words wood:
Head Shot.
If it is a point of emphasis for the league, the least they could to is be consistent with it’s enforcement.
However, this is the NHL (rhymes with WWE) and it is too much to expect.
Yeah, I’d normally buy the whole “got one on the road” thing but not this time. The Aeros won game 1 because MIL was rusty after 9 days off. Now they’re not and this is the game they play. I’m just not very optimistic.
—Brashear shouldn’t have gotten suspended either—
If you want to man up and hit a guy great. But these blindside head shots after the puck is long gone are cowardly. As are the headlong rushes to the end boards.
Over the last 4 periods of hockey, the Hawks have thoroughly outclassed the Nucks. Take away last night’s first period where they were hamstrung on the PK and it isn’t even close. Hawks forwards score and the only thing the Nucks get are D men scoring on the PP.
With the series going back to Chicago, the Nucks better figure out something in a hurry. Save for a bad pinch by the Hawk D late in game 1, this could be on the way to a sweep.
I’ve only seen the video of the hit on Hudler once, so I’m not 100% sure how bad it actually was. I know that he got laid-out pretty good, but can’t say for sure how “dirty” it was.
I agree that the League should crack down on hits to the head, but I also think that a lot of hard, open-ice hits and even some hard hits in the corners are now getting penalizied on-ice and then looked at later for possible discipline when they really shouldn’t be. If a player leaves his feet for a hit or goes high with the elbows…yes, then call it, but if not then let them play. Scott Stevens was one of the best and hardest open-ice hitters ever, but his hits were usually clean. Now, he’d probably be sitting in the box and / or suspended half of the time if he was still playing.
And how about a bozo like Chris Pronger. The meatheads on Versus just rave about this clown all the time, and yet he’s got to be one of the dirtier players out there if ya watch him a lot. He goes high and / or leaves his feet ALL THE TIME when making hits along the boards. Maybe that’s why he is the current leader in number of suspensions. I can’t stand that guy.
Colin Campbell and his lack of any sort of consistency whatsoever on discipline / suspensions is mind-boggling to say the least. It sure doesn’t help the NHL get any sort of credibility when compared to other major pro sports.
Lu and his over-sized pads looked pretty porous last night. Was happy to see the Hawks quiet the Nuckleheads in GM Place. Typical VAN goonery towards the end though. Not at all surprising. And of course, that “nice” guy Burrows was displaying his Masterton Award qualifications as ususal. What a tool…..
SotB @ 11:09…
I agree with you 100%. The blindside hits with the puck nowhere in the vicinity have got to stop. Those definitely should be penalized, no question.
I also agree with your assessment of the CHG-VAN series. That pinch-in in game 1 is the difference between the Nucks being in one gigantic hole and what is now a tied-up series. The Hawks gotta stop spotting VAN these two or three goal leads though. Those young kids on the Hawks have shown that they definitely can come from behind, but you can’t keep doin’ that every game. Sooner or later, that’s going to bite you in the arse.
The hit on Hudler got a lot of attention because he donated about a pint of blood to the ice when his visor allegedly cut him.
Beyond that, it struck me as the kind of hit where a player was in a very vulnerable, unsuspecting position and he got clocked. As I watch closer, players tend to pass on many similar opportunities almost like its an unwritten rule. Then you get a headhunter who comes along and boom! I can’t say Brown hit him with and elbow or shoulder, but Hudler was extended and bent over, not unlike when Fritsche got hammered by Tootoo.
I’m not against hard hits and bodychecking, but headhunting, which comes from these guys growing up behind helments and masks, is unacceptable.
I’m gonna agree with you SOTB , the younger hawks just seem to adjust and skate better as the series moves on. If they can keep playing their game ,I dont see how the canucks can stick with them, GO HAWKS, can’t believe I’m saying that considering the old rivalry between them and the north stars.
Geno:
I agree although I am beginning to wonder if the Hawks are just that good where they can spot ‘em and still put ‘em away. Not that I would encourage them to do it that way.
—GO HAWKS, can’t believe I’m saying that considering the old rivalry between them and the north stars.—
Ditto. Curious isn’t it. Secord sux!
HA ; boy do I remember saying er screaming that back at the ol met .
I wonder how Avs fans are taking seeing Quennville in the second round of the playoffs ,and it’s not their team? I was working in Doudlas WY last fall for a month and caught a game on the Denver cable channel against our Wild , noticing that all the commercials for the Avs were showing action with the wild ,no other teams involved in them. just saying.
a ,I meant Douglas WY.
Rob Niedermayer is a douche. After every whistle it seems he gives a little shove, or bump, or cross-check, or slash, but never enough that it’s going to get a penalty. Chelios only plays 2 minutes a game, why not have him drive Niedermayer into the boards with a nice hit from behind?
Just got back from a long weekend away to see the 2nd and 3d OT. Wow. By the way woodpecker isn’t woodcock.
Jeff- good point. Denver Post has a great blog post on coach Q and the bashers. The blog writer was terrific and I hope you can find Dater’s work.
This afternoon, left the Det-Ana game after the first OT. I did not turn the tv back on after I got back home, could have caught the 3rd OT. Darn.
I hate Ducks and ‘Nuks.
Even after 2 games.
I feel better about the ‘Hawks series. Even tho Secord still sucks!
Read a story a few years back that Al Secord became a pilot for a major airline. I think Steve Christoff did the same.
Canes-Bruins review took forever. Hard to tell but at least one angle it looked good. 2-0 is sure easier for Bruns to come back from than 3-0 headed to the third. It was with .02 left in the period.
[…] HockeyVOX placed an observative post today on Russo Ramblings on GM search, potential changes, Masterton; Aeros…Here’s a quick excerptFirst things first, the Houston Aeros, behind goals from Krys Kolanos and a … has been to three Stanley Cup Finals (Florida, Anaheim and […]
[…] admin placed an observative post today on Russo Ramblings on GM search, potential changes, Masterton; Aeros take 1-0…Here’s a quick excerptFirst things first, the Houston Aeros, behind goals from Krys Kolanos and a face from the past, Tomas Mojzis, and 27 saves from the revelation that is Anton Khudobin, beat the Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 in Game 1 of West Division Finals last night. Here’s the link. Game 2 is in Milwaukee at 7 p.m…. […]
Pierre LeBrun’s Wild GM note has names you already know from Russo although former Bruins GM Mike O’Connell was new to me I think. However, he is not getting an interview it seems - http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4132155&name=lebrun_pierre
SotB: Secord flies MD80’s for American Airlines, based out of D/FW. If Christoff is a commercial pilot, I don’t know for whom he is flying.
From the Toronto Star:
What’s not clear is where McGuire, who is expected to be interviewed today or tomorrow by Minnesota owner Craig Leipold, rates on a list that is believed to include Pat Quinn, Chuck Fletcher, player agent Neil Sheehy and others. Former Maple Leaf GM John Ferguson is also expected to be interviewed.
have I told you guys the story of my mother’s husband (who is a now-retired Captain that flew with AA) who ended up with Alan Secord as his co-pilot one time?
Dear God. I’m sorry, but I don’t want John Ferguson, Jr. anywhere within 50 miles of the Wild. I suppose if he’s down and out, they could hire him to sweep the popcorn off the floor, and that would be okay with me. But that’s it.
I realize he was handcuffed and a lame duck in Toronto, but holy cow…if we thought Riser’s past mistakes came back to haunt him with us…
Ferguson would be even worse than MacLean. How can he even get an interview. He f’d up the Leafs like crazy with idiotic contracts.
Wow. Great game in Detoilet yesterday. Too bad that the Quackers pulled it out and now can go home tied. The paper says that Osgood was screened on the winning shot but I couldn’t tell from the replay I saw of the goal whether he should have had it or not.
It sure seems like it’s not just RN that has a little “extra” to give after every whistle. Quite a few of the Fowl seem to have a tendency to do that crap. I sorta think that may come from the coach on down. I’ve always thought that RC was kind of a hack, going back to his playing days even. I love a good, hard-hitting and physical game, but the after-the-whistle nonsense gets old after awhile. VAN and ANA are a couple of the most notable for that stuff.
Someone will need to refresh my memory on this, but wasn’t it against ANA in the ‘07 1st round where JL and our coaches wouldn’t shake hands with the Quacker’s coaches at the end of the series because of all the cheap stuff?
6GS: I missed the O’Connell part the first time around.
A) For all I knew, that guy was dead.
B) Could we just skip the O’Connell part and go right to the Chiarelli part?
LeBrun has always seemed pretty decent to me, but that name seems like a stretch for some reason.
I’ve got no love for Pierre McGuire. Outside of ‘91 and ‘92 in Pittsburgh what has the guy done? Sure he’s on TV and can spit a good game to the cameras but he has been a commentator for too long. He should stay commentating about how the red line should be removed, players should be forced to wear visors, and fighting should be completely stricken from the game.
I’m with ya on PM. I do NOT want to see him here running the Wild.
My personal favorite is Fletcher out of PIT. I think he would be a good hire.
We’ll see…..
but the after-the-whistle nonsense gets old after awhile
don’t ya know that is what hockey is about? it ain’t about speed and skating and puck handling and skill…it’s about physical intimidation and you can thank the flyers of the 70s for that.
Food.
[…] to become the Wild’s new G.M. (here and here) but now the list seems to have narrowed. Russo blogged on Friday that the short list includes Pens Assistant G.M. Chuck Fletcher, Pierre McGuire, Pat Quinn (who […]
