Burns biking the road to recovery
Posted on June 8th, 2009 – 10:51 AMBy Michael Russo
Not a meaty blog today, but I figured I’d hop on and give a little update.
As you can read in today’s story, Brent Burns is starting to feel a lot better. He’s been pretty much symptom-free with his concussion for a month and is confident he’ll be ready for the season after offseason shoulder surgery.
FYI, I screwed up in the article. I know it’s Camp Ripley. I wrote Camp Ridley. No idea why, but I did, so apologies. As we say in the newspaper business, “We regret the error.” My fault.
As for Burns, the Wild could sure use a healthy Burns this season. If it’s going to revamp its system to a more up-tempo style, an active Burns will be integral. It was a tough year for him with elbow surgery, shoulder problems starting in November and the concussion. With the shoulder, he pretty much had no strength in that arm, so he couldn’t poke check or fend off guys.
But he is feeling better and has a ton of off-ice stuff going on.
Speaking of Camp Ripley, if you knew Burns, you’d know he had a ball. He’s enamored by the military, probably because of his grandfather. Here’s a passage from that massive Burns story I wrote for Sept. 16, 2007 (seems like yesterday I did these interviews and was the first to report about the Burnzie Zoo):
One of the most influential people in Burns’ life was his grandfather Patrick, who lived with the family for 23 years.
“It was a package deal,” Burns’ mom said, chuckling. “I got the husband and the father-in-law.”
Patrick, who died in 1998, was an artilleryman in World War II and used to baby-sit Kori and Brad when Brent had to be taken to his many hockey practices and games. But a wide-eyed Burns couldn’t wait to get home, where he’d plead for more stories from Grandpa.
“Granddad had his chair, a real soft, cushy chair, and he used to sit there and tell the boys war stories all the time,” Gaby said. “In Grade 8, Brent wrote a war story his grandfather told him. The teacher was so moved by it, she phoned and invited Granddad to school to honor him at a Remembrance Day service. The teacher read Brent’s story. It was Granddad’s last Remembrance Day.
“For a kid his age to move a teacher like that, I was really impressed, and I know it meant a lot to Granddad.”
To honor their grandfather, Brent and Brad got identical tattoos on their left arms. It features a cross with a Canadian military helmet on top and the zodiac sign for Pisces in the middle. In the background is a Bofor artillery gun over the hills of Sicily. Underneath reads, “Patrick Joseph Burns, 1911-1998.”
“You don’t think too many kids would have a relationship that strong with their grandfather that they’d want to honor him in a permanent way,” Gaby said.
Back live here at Chatteau de Russo, Burns actually plans to give back to the military next season, and those plans are in the works. More detail on that later.
I wound up at the same event with Derek Boogaard and his brother, Aaron, on Friday and Boogey’s looking good from offseason shoulder surgery. Here’s the most amazing thing. His brother Aaron was the one in the sling. Coincidentally, they both had the same injury (Aaron’s a little worse) and the Pittsburgh Penguins farmhand had surgery the other day. And apparently their dad has a bum shoulder as well.
Derek was also wearing shades at night due to LASIK the day before. I was supposed to have LASIK last summer, but I had to cancel due to a Wild story I had to write. I then wimped out and never called back. Maybe I should. Hmmm.
Here’s something funny, but out of respect, I told Boogaard, “FYI, I wrote in tomorrow’s paper you might be traded.”
Boogaard then called over his fiancee, Erin, and said, “Tell her what you just told me.”
I was like, “Uhhhh … I don’t want to.” I was more scared of telling Erin than Boogey.
I do think there’s a chance Boogaard is shopped at the Draft or this summer. He’s in the last year of his deal and can become an unrestricted free agent, so that usually makes you trade bait (well, under most regimes, just not the previous one) 
Obvious teams that may be interested in Boogaard include Toronto (Brian Burke, folks, is a tough-guy fan as you know) and Philly. Maybe Edmonton, too, in the “If you can beat him, have him join us” department.
Lastly, Wednesday at 11 a.m., I’ll be in studio at KFAN chatting with Paul Allen.
OK, that’s it for now.
72 Responses to "Burns biking the road to recovery"
I remember reading that 07 interview like it was yesterday. Thanks for the update, Russo.
You know what, my gut tells me Boogy wont be traded. Some trades are not worth making. I cant imagine a big player coming for Boogy that is worth doing it
I can see boogy being traded, but I don’t see us really getting anything valuable in return since a lot of teams seem to be moving away from the enforcer hockey.
I say just hang onto him on the 4th line. All depends on the new coach system though, but I can’t see it hurting to have him as a 4th liner and used in games when needed.
Glad to hear Buns is doing well. I really hope he can have a great upcoming season espeically with an anticipated up-tempo systle hockey. I think he can really flurish in that.
I still can’t picture the 6′7″ boogeyman on a bicycle. Russo, see if you can get us a photo.
Does anyone have a link to the Camp Ripley video thing from the Wild’s website. I went looking for it the other day and couldn’t find it.
Free up cap space and possibly add a late round draft pick, I think both those things can be valuable returns.
It’s difficult to discuss a single particular move without having a good idea of the bigger picture of moves that Fletch has in mind. With the stated goal of being active, restocking the Wild franchise system, as well as looking for near term improvement and reshaping with a new playing system in mind, I think that Fletcher leaves just about all his options on the table.
Good stuff.
As a woman who is endlessly, mercilessly jerked around by her husband’s career, I can assure you that your instinct to stay the hell away from Erin was a good one. You never know which straw is the final one…
Since I posted this on previous thread just as food was being served.
Bulldog,
You said the following:
“Let’s remember the division and conference we’re in and the fact we get pushed around on a nightly basis and teams don’t fear taking penalties on us and having to face our Power play because our defensemen can’t keep the puck in the zone”.
I pointed out that our PP was 9th in the NHL out of 30 teams whereas Canucks were 17th, Flames-21st, Oilers–22nd and Avs-25th. So, our PP actually was pretty good. And, if you look at number of PP opportunites we had fewer than most teams in the West except Ducks, Avs and BJ’s. So, our record can’t really be attributable to the contention that teams didn’t fear our PP so committed more penalties on us. The facts clearly refute that
Of course it all depends on who you pick with that possible late round pick. If trading Boogaard to get a 7th round pick that turns out to be the next Zetterberg… or it could be another run of the mill 7th rounder.
Someone last thread (don’t remember who, not going to go look, sorry) was speaking about Fridge. Remember he’s “One punch away from a telethon.”
Erin = babe
Why would we want to trade for the Fedoruk? He still has 2 years left on his $3 million contract. Weller at $600K in a less defensive style will do just as ok. This is the last year on his contract.
Until his back problems are straightened out, Boogaard will be hard to trade, especially to anyone who isn’t named Doug Risebrough. Or, maybe, Glen Sather, or Brian Burke.
Hopefully, if Boogaard gets to play in a less-restrictive system, the Wild will better utilize his size to their advantage.
So, you’d rather have Boogey than a little extra cap space to add a little more talent and a shot at a prospect? I love Boogey, but his role is replaceable for less.
[…] Full story plus Brent Burns concussion update here […]
Jake: Its not a matter of having Boogaard, its that the market for him is very small. If he gets traded, great.
However as WRT mentioned, Boogaard does have back issues and he hasn’t scored a goal in almost 2 years. Many teams like the Wild might not want to spend $1 million on a guy like Boogaard, who plays less than 5 minutes a night, even if he does bring in lots of jersey sales.
And, its good to hear that his concussion symptoms are dissipating and he’s back to riding his bike.
I am well aware that there might not be much of a market for him, sunshine. My statement is that is someone is willing to take him on, even for minimum return, that’s a move that should be made.
Michael - thanks for the fresh post. Great article & update on Burns as well as the inclusion of the 07 piece. I agree with Jake the Wall, it does seem like yesterday.
I think most people, who are not basing their decision on fandom, would agree with you and me. If we can get a pick for Boogaard, great. Because long-term, he doesn’t seem to be Fletcher’s plans anyways.
I wouldn’t want to trade Sheppard or Gillies for say Cheecho. I’d take my chances on Sheppard or Gillies in the next couple of years since the team will be undergoing some rebuilding/retooling — whatever term you want to use — for a year or two.
I will second the fact that Erin is a babe. On top of that (was that the right pun?), she is one of the nicest people I know. No need to fear her, Michael. Boogs is a very lucky man. I curse the day of my tenth birthday when my parents encouraged me to spend more time practicing the Clarinet and less time ‘goofing off’ with my friends at the local rink.
-Russo’s Evil Twin says: I curse the day of my tenth birthday when my parents encouraged me to spend more time practicing the Clarinet…
A Speedo-wearing Clarinet player. Now that’s hot.
Speaking of the Burns brothers, you can tell Brent and Brad are brothers. They look very much alike, although Brad isn’t as big. The funny thing is they have almost opposite personalities. Brent really is a goofball. Happy go lucky (I hope he stays that way, especially with all the diffuculty in the last year), a guy that makes you shake your head and smile. Brad, on the other hand, appears more reserved. It also appears Brad may have gotten a much larger portion on the Burns Family Brain Distribution chart.
I kind of inherited the Irish gene from dad as well. Pale. With freckles.
Playing the Clarinet. Badly. Although Bandgeek still might love me.
RET’s on a roll… I like it.
well, under most regimes, just not the previous one
Talk about piling on 
- Weirder still if DR lands in Old Russoville
Boogaard’s shoulder was the problem this year, not his back. The main point is still the same though, sad as it may be.
I wouldn’t say that Boogaard wouldn’t fit into Fletcher’s system though. Godard’s 4 points and 5 mins a game aren’t exactly impressive, and I don’t think he’s played a single game in the post-season.
I wouldn’t be surprised either way, but I think his dedication to the team and his work-ethic will keep him on the team.
he doesn’t seem to be Fletcher’s plans anyways
how do we know this?
I’m pretty sure the team can get by without DB.
-Russo’s Evil Twin says: Although Bandgeek still might love me.
I think I love you.
6GS: ‘Old Russoville’… +1
Just think of a ‘Welcome to ‘Old Russoville’ sign at the press parking entrance to the BankAtlantic Center, where the Panthers play in Sunrise…
Jordan: Boogaard was out twice last season with back spasms before the shoulder problems were identified.
Oops. We regret the error.
Doesn’t Aaron Boogaard play for the baby Penguins? And Fletch was the GM of that team? I wouldn’t assume he’s throwing the Boogie out with the bathwater. Though I guess if he told Russo (is this just Russo’s conjecture based on Boog’s contract status and other things?)… I dunno.
I think that decision needs to be the coach’s, though. If a coach feels like he can fit in his system, then fine. If not, adios. If they can build a team that’s tougher across the board, I don’t think you need an enforcer. Though it worries me for Cal… but then I always worry about Cal. He’s such a little PITA.
Russo for Risebrough, with Fletcher being the FA signed thanks to the resulting cap room? I’d gladly take that deal, however chronologically convoluted.
Boogey’s value often is in how little he’s actually used. That said, half of last year he wasn’t really available, which majorly shrunk the value of having him on the roster. And Weller was no improvement, either. I’d take cheap assets or draft picks in exchange for either.
I get excited about the possible return for many of the guys on our roster, and Boogey is no exception. But there’s a savvy slant to Boogey’s tough guy game that justifies keeping him as the 12th-13th-14th guy, too.
Is it just me, or does it seem to others like Fletcher has to pull off some serious alchemy to create quantities of quality out of the minimal assets we seem to have? I’d still put my money on Fletcher to do it. I just can’t envision (past Harding) what we have that we’d actually move that other teams would pay well for.
I will waive my no-trade clause if it brings in a late draft pick.
Boogs is not going anywhere! Huge fan favorite and with another coach he will be used. We have to have this guy to deal with the punks like cooke,avery,ivanans,stortini,godard,mcintyre,brashear,laraque,parros.
**sniffle** Boogey no go …**sniffle** Cal no go… **sniffle** Getting headache from thoughts of my boys going bye-bye.. **sniffle** need chocolate
“Is it just me, or does it seem to others like Fletcher has to pull off some serious alchemy to create quantities of quality out of the minimal assets we seem to have? I’d still put my money on Fletcher to do it. I just can’t envision (past Harding) what we have that we’d actually move that other teams would pay well for.”
I couldn’t have said it better. Well I probably wouldn’t have said alchemy, but I think you’ve summed it up pretty well. Assuming Fletcher doesn’t want to trade one of the teams big knockers (Koivu, Burns, and dare I say FSM. Credit coach Burnsie on the Big Knockers) he will have to be pretty darn creative to turn this team into legitimate playoff contender in the next 3-4 yrs.
If this team is a legitimate contender in the next 2-3 yrs, I will personally subsidize and build a bust of Fletcher to go next the the Herbie Brooks memorial statue.
Pewter we may hold you to that. Of course, when pressed you can always fall back on a narrow definition of legitimate contender.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
To clarify, the minimum threshold for a legitimate contender IMHO is a team that rolls through the Quarters and has a good showing in the Semi’s (ie - losing in a 7 game qualifies as a good showing).
I believe that Jock squeezed every ounce of blood from this current roster of turnips. I don’t believe the next coach will get more from this bunch. So for the Wild to take it to the next level they’ll need some new (better) talent. Fletch doesn’t have many chips to play with. It sounds like he’s well aware of that and has plans to make moves, which should be fun to follow over the next couple months.
Pewter - Is this your overall feeling, or your conditioned “expectactions” of DR’s ability to pull off trades that had the Wild on the positive end?
Granted, DB isn’t going to get us a first round pick, but there are teams out there looking for an “enforcer”, and someone may be willing to over pay for it. Add on top of that, that Fletcher most likely has a broader range of resources as trade partners compared to Doug’s Bob Gainey, Glen Sather, and Brian Burke, and we have the potential to be on the winning end of a couple non-high profile trades.
Just my $0.02
I think it’s going to take a combination of a quantity of moves along with 2 (maybe 3) high-quality moves — the latter of which could get risky — to get this team on track again.
Pewterschmidt, you hit it on the head: JL got as much out of the odd configuration of (sometimes limited and curiously matched) talents he had. About any other coach would need a better assemblage of talent altogether, and that’s hardly news.
One appealing thought: With Fletch in charge now, for the first time in many years we might actually see the Wild sign/acquire a non-blah centerman. As a fan, I wonder what that would actually feel like.
—It also appears Brad may have gotten a much larger portion on the Burns Family Brain Distribution chart.—
He’s not going to be happy when he reads that post
I thought I heard that our favorite Burnsie, although a cut-up, was something of a bookworm and quite a history buff. And wasn’t Brad training to be a boxer while living with Brent? Good way to turn any brains you’ve got into mushy grey matter; boxing that is. Everytime Burnsie gets an injury like a shoulder, elbow or concussion, I’m half asking myself if he didn’t get it horsing around with his little bro’ which I had read they were prone to do.
For a guy that likely skipped high school for hockey, Brent comes across as a pretty bright guy to me.
You gotta wonder who Fletch would delegate the “You’ve been traded Boogey” responsibility too. TooL would be a good choice. He could use a good asp whuppin’
—we might actually see the Wild sign/acquire a non-blah centerman—
If he goes Smug on us and tries to sign O Jokinen, I’m done with the Wild forever. For all the discussion about him on this forum, watching him with the Flames revealed him to be worthless.
burnsie isn’t that horribly bright…..it’s not like he is dumb either…..the guy has higher hockey iq then I could ever have, and certainly has his moments in the sun.
also having seen his fiancee you definatley can’t call him stupid.
don’t worry burnsie….we love ya no matter what….just keep on truckin’ and good luck with the recovery!
Wild Road Tripper is right. A less restrictive system would no doubt help the wild utilize his size
Wild Road Tripper says:
June 8th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Until his back problems are straightened out, Boogaard will be hard to trade, especially to anyone who isn’t named Doug Risebrough. Or, maybe, Glen Sather, or Brian Burke.
Hopefully, if Boogaard gets to play in a less-restrictive system, the Wild will better utilize his size to their advantage.
Not a meaty blog today? Russo, you are so much better in your worst blog than ANYONE on the Detroit paper at their best. Their idea of a blog entry is to update the score of the game.. period.. I mean it.. you can’t find anything out on their blog, while Russo spoils us with all kinds of great information, speculation and just love of hockey. Thanks for being the best Russo!!
With all the talk of better utilizing Boogard, I had to see what there is to work with. I was surprised to see that he actually has 2 goals in 198 career NHL games. Fletcher will have to dig deep to find someone that can better ‘utilize’ the untapped potential there.
Boogaard is still highly effective against the few dedicated enforcers still around who want to arrange their staged dance before the game. But he is useless against the Cooke, Avery, and Burrows types of the league. The best that he can do is vainly chase them around the ice.
So what are everyones thoughts on CL’s marching orders to Fletcher. DR and JL managed to keep a mediocre but usually competitive team on the ice that kept the seats full. Will CL allow the team and possibly the attendance to dip in order to let Fletcher put his stamp of the team? I have this gut feeling that this first transition year post JL could go south in a hurry.
Boomer, I agree it is risky business. To follow JL and DR is not a job without allot of heat. The fans seen competitive hockey here. I think Fletcher is the right fit post DR. I do worry about the coach however. I dont think I would worry as much with Mactavish
Unfortunately, with the instigator penalty in play, guys like Cooke, Avery and Ruutu can run around taking cheap shots and then turtling when anyone other than Sergei Zholtok(RIP) or Kim Yawnson has a problem with it.
IMO, it would be worth it, just one time to see Boogaard pick one of those useless punks up and slap em around.
Russo, good update. I had LASIK in Feb. I recommend it! It’s been great.
It figures.
I buy an iPhone in February, they release a new one in June.
New coach announcement for tomorrow? Later this week for sure I bet.
Brainfreeze…the instigator penalty should be applied when Parros tries to knock Datsyuk senseless. It should not be applied when Boogaard tries to pound on Cooke, Avery, et al.
All instigator penalties should be brought to Russoville for review prior to any suspension.
I keep seeing posts of how JL got the most out of his players, i.e. squeezing blood from a turnip, but I don’t think that was necessarily the case. While I greatly respect JL for his career and what he has done for the Wild, it is not blasphemy to suggest that he may have retarded some players development. Not every player is going to fit in to his “system”. Some times the coach has to adjust to the talents of his players. I think some of the younger players will benefit and flourish in a more open style of play. It will be interesting to see what Fletcher and the new coach will be able to accomplish with the retained players & whomever they may aquire through trades or free agency. Personaly I don’t think they are that far off. Three new faces and a new philosophy could go a long way to getting this team to go deep in the playoffs, even as early as next year.
While I greatly respect JL for his career and what he has done for the Wild, it is not blasphemy to suggest that he may have retarded some players development. Not every player is going to fit in to his “system”.
This is a fair statement to me.
I also think that JL was able to coach the team to be greater than the sum of its parts on more nights than not.
And, my feeling is that, if teaching them how to play defense retarded their development in other areas for the time being, he was willing to bet that it would pay off for them down the road somewhere.
If he had had a team of Pavel Datsyuks (no, this is not a rip on DR) he wouldn’t have had to worry about it.
Brisker82 = Sheppard ?
BDS, I’ve been posting since I was 3 years old!!
I wasn’t necessarily referring to Shep. More like BP or CG. It’s hard to say what Sheppard will do this year but I think it will be a telling year for him. I just think that these guys do have a chance to be good (they are all still very young). I’m not trying to criticize JL at all. I just think it was time to go in a different direction (even JL recognized that). I think down the line the younger players will have a greater appreciation of what JL taught them, but right now I think the young dawgs want to be turned loose to run.
All kidding aside it is an interesting argument Brisker82 brings up. I do feel many times our young players have been hiding behind the argument that they have not been allowed to flourish under JL. I think there is some truth to this but it is not so much related to the system JL plays but more to where in he puts the player. Top talent should get the opportunity to play on the top lines with the top players in order to see what they can do. JL loved to put the young high talented player on fourth checking line in order to “learn”. If they played good they would be moved up to a higher line.
Now to be fair sometimes he (JL) would give the young guy a shot at the top lines but it was not be the norm and didn’t last for any extended time.
On the other hand these talented young guys did get scoring opportunities even on the third and fourth line and they didn’t convert on regular basis. Could it be that they really aren’t that talented?
Speaking of Jock’s “system”, we’ll finally get an answer to the Great Goalie vs. “the system” debate next season.
If Backuum’s GAA jumps considerably, we can safely say that it was “the system”. If the GAA doesn’t jump then we’ve got great goalie scout’s and coaches.
Fletcher said several times during his introduction that he wanted a physical team not meaning a fighting team, but physical. This will be interesting to see what happens with Boogie.
IMO we have a small fast defense, I watch all the games and can’t remember when I last watched a D man step up at or before the blue line. Could this also could be a bad sign for Ramsey?
On the other hand I would like to see what Boogie could do playing a regular shift. He is a game changer. The opposition defense gets rid of the puck a lot quicker when he is out there and that will result in turnovers. Odds are not in our favor when he plays 2-3 min a night. Also, depends on the refs situation I think Boogie has been unfairly taken advantage of and thrown in the box for thinking of doing bad things to others. Game in point last year vs vancouver three canucks went after Boogie (Willie Mitchell in the front of the pack) DB didn’t do a thing and he got a penalty. I think if he plays an occasional shift refs think they can control the game by tossing him in the box, would be interesting to see what would happen if he kept going out there.
Last thing don’t gather later round picks. That might be good for stocking the Aeros and sure you might find a late round gem ever ten years, but you need top draft picks in the first round to build upon. Only two ways to get them, trade up (Not a one spot Cuma trade either)or suck really really bad. Reports for next years draft appear to be the lowest in ten years (no real top end talent). Which will happen?
BDS, I’ve been posting since I was 3 years old!!
Well played.
Do we have a coach yet?
Maybe Paul McLean if the wings finish it tonight?
I’ve got this nagging feeling, as I watch other teams start to sign guys, that we’re NOT acting because there’s so much up in the air. Probably not really the case but it makes me antsy.
Trust in the Fletch, Luke.
Sorry, bad Star Wars reference. It sounded better in my head. At least that’s what the other voices were telling me.
Well, at least you knew it was ghey.
It will be interesting to see what Fletcher and the new coach will be able to accomplish with the retained players
My guess is that after hiring a coach, Fletcher will have nothing to do with the accomplishment of retained players.
On the other hand I would like to see what Boogie could do playing a regular shift. He is a game changer
that’s funny right there. Game changer.
Well, at least you knew it was ghey.
Jordin says:
Kind of like your smiley.
I also think Bisker82’s comments are fair but I think the when you have an established coach you get the right players for it. Smug’s inability to stock the team with the right players up the middle dragged down the rest of the roster over the past two years. Meanwhile, JL could be going back home to NJ soon - http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/report-sutter-to-step-down-as-devils-coach-today/
Exactly, kj.
Yeah, 6GS, you have to figure that’s the position that all of a sudden turned JL’s head.
Food.
Very good point 6GS. JL, IMO, was not supported very well, as far as getting the right players he needed, by Smug. I don’t think it was ever JL’s goal to merely “manage expectations”.
On the NJ speculation, do you think they have the players to play JL style hockey?
