Good morning, … Chat with me at 10 a.m.
Posted on June 26th, 2009 – 9:17 AMBy Michael Russo
In nine hours, after lots and lots of buildup, the LNH Draft (French) begins.
I’ll be hosting a live chat on startribune.com (Internet permitting because it’s sloooooooooooooooowww) at 10 a.m. today, so get your Draft, trade, new regime, free agency questions ready. Free agency is right around the corner after the weekend.
Right now, crickets as far as trades. I made the rounds around town last night, bumping into scores of NHL types and getting to hang out with guys like Dale Hunter (hysterical dude) and others I’ll keep nameless. Hey, I kept it off Twitter, I might as well keep it off here. 
I did bump into Chuck Fletcher and Todd Richards on the street last night, and you can bet they were talking trade. As I think I’ve mentioned on here, and will in a more in-depth story I’m sure during training camp, Fletcher wants to have a wide-open working relationship with Richards.
So he will discuss every trade with Richards to make certain the player will be somebody Richards will be comfortable with, will give ice time to and will be able to excel in his system. So there will be no, “Who?” from the coach if they trade for say, Dominic Moore. And conversely, if a player is not working out for Richards, Fletcher will have an open door. He doesn’t want quality players wasting away on the fourth line or sitting in the press box so the asset value dies.
Now, will anything happen today? We will see. There hasn’t been a single NHL trade yet for all the reasons I’ve mentioned the last couple days and in today’s paper. As Fletcher’s said a couple times, “there’s too much money in the system right now. I mean, the cap’s not going up 20 percent again. There are some teams in bad shape right now.”
I also heard last night Ottawa’s getting a little nervous that’ll be unable to deal Dany Heatley today. Lots of teams have done character references, and the latest trade demand has really caused lots of potential trade partners to back off in their interest. It’s not just his salary, it’s not just the assets you’d give up. It’s definitely him, some off-ice issues and the fact that when the going gets tough, he demands to get going.
Tampa Bay is another interesting situation to watch today. There is still immense friction there involving the fact that one owner wants to trade Vincent Lecavalier and the other doesn’t. His no-trade kicks in July 1 and Montreal, wanting to make a major splash because it’s hosting the Draft, is willing to overpay for him. As somebody said to me, this is the “perfect storm” to move him for huge assets and rid the 11-year contract off the books.
Also, if you read the rumor sights, it’s been reported for weeks that the Wild was hot after Tomas Kaberle for Marek Zidlicky and Josh Harding. I’ve never written that because as I’ve told you before, I don’t like throwing stuff out there unless I personally report it out or confirm it or refute it through sources. It’s a good thing I didn’t throw that against the wall and pray it stuck because I confirmed the Wild is not in the Tomas Kaberle talks. Obviously, things could change I suppose, but I believe the people that told me this, and they’d know.
I do have some other little interesting tidbits I picked up on the Wild last night, and I’ll throw them in tomorrow’s paper or on the blog later once I do a little more reporting. Nothing earth-shattering, but just some potential stuff on the horizon.
OK, I’ll be back on for the chat at 10.
107 Responses to "Good morning, … Chat with me at 10 a.m."
Is it 6pm yet?
As long as we don’t pull a Timberwolves and draft like 5 stay at home defenseman, I’ll be happy
I won’t be happy if they draft a D-Man in the first round. We obviously need forwards.
ATX - they have plenty of holes up front and on the blue line, IMO, and whoever is drafted won’t be in NHL for a bit anyway. Seems to me they ought to take the player they think is the best, especially since one of their problems is a general lack of quality prospects.
Russo’s gonna give me a complex if this keeps up. He keeps throwing another blog on withing minutes of when I post now. Was it something I said Micheal? 
From the bottom of the last blog, with one addition:
The Divine Miss M reports that she was very busy at the Hockey Lodge @ MOA last night and that folks are all talking about the draft today and the general level of excitement was pretty high. Nice to see again.
Personally, I am really stoked for tonight. It promises to be an exciting draft all the way around in the League. Hopefully Fletch will give us something to cheer about, despite the miserable “nothing to deal with” condition that Sumg left him in. Hope to see everybody down at TRHCP for the draft party. And it’s only a short 1+1/2 miles east on 7th St to the MMC to see kj and the boys play afterwards and to keep the party going.
I agree with Stoned. How miserable is it to be a Panthers fan right now. If I’m you’re Panthers’ STH and they hire Smug, ya might just as well walk slowly out into the ocean and call it a day. Let’s see, he could actually be put into a position to run a FOURTH team into the ground. Wow, that’s a heck of a resume!!!
Addition:
Russo just confirmed what the NHL XM guys have been saying since Heatley demanded the trade from Ottawa. Character, that’s the problem with this guy, not talent. The Wild defintley DON’T need a problem child like that. He’ll be more trouble than he’s worth.
I won’t be happy if they draft a D-Man in the first round. We obviously need forwards.
I think you have to take the best player available. Period. You can’t really draft for need because most prospects are not going to be playing on the big squad for 3-5 years. Our IMMEDIATE need is forward, but that won’t be filled with a draft pick. Not with #12 or less, that’s for sure.
Looks like you beat me to the punch there, Hockeydad.
That should read:
“If I’m *A* Panthers’STH”….
Better have another cup of coffee and wake up a bit more.
I think you have to take the best player available. Period.
That is true… but we drafted Cuma last year for D right? Why not get the best Forward you can get this year?
my crystal ball earlier informed us all that the kaberle rumor was just that. we will draft a forward
Just don’t take some kid who’s under contract to some team in a foreign country who doesn’t want to play here and could totally screw us.
Why would I say something like that?
Great reporting, very interesting. Not a lot of wild news out my way so it’s interesting hearing about a team that gets a lot of ignore in Canada.
Please though, there is a difference between is and are. It’s painful. Bookmarked anyways.
So does the chat link show up somewhere on this blog or somewhere else?
The annoying is/are usage is Strib style. Nobody likes it but you get used to it.
Gunslinger: live chat is separate link - back on the strib / wild tab
Smug, ya might just as well walk slowly out into the ocean and call it a day.
the one positive thing though is Smug seems to be able to build a possible playoff team. something that until last season, florida hasn’t had for quite a while. don’t think he has the ability to go further than that but that is cart before horse in south fla.
Seems like the live chat is having technical difficulties.
How miserable is it to be a Panthers fan right now. If I’m you’re Panthers’ STH and they hire Smug
Yeah, they already had to suffer through Jacques Martin. Now Risebrough? Ugh.
The sad part is, I like the Panthers. Being a long time FLA resident they are my FLA favorite.
but we drafted Cuma last year for D right? Why not get the best Forward you can get this year?
To borrow a quote that I saw from either Shero or the Pens assistant GM: You take the best player available because, if you draft based on “need” and the guy won’t be NHL-ready for two or three years at least, then you might not necessarily “need” him when he’s ready, if you improve the area of “need” via trade or free agency since the time of the draft. Then the guy becomes a trade chip.
So unless the player will have an immediate impact next season, I think that’s the philosophy of taking the best player available.
Then again, the Penguins draft 30th, not 12th. I don’t know if any of the guys expected to go to the Wild will be NHL-ready next season.
So, interestingly enough, TFP is reporting that Hossa and the Wings “aren’t close” because the Wings can’t afford him, but that… “Hossa is believed to be looking for a deal worth around $6 million per season, on a long-term agreement.”
Good luck Gabby.
I’m glad then I stopped my post before I said, “Can we just end the Florida fans misery by moving the team?”
Meh, it’s okay Kevin. I believe they will be moved eventually… but I would rather see Tampa go the way of the DoDo.
I don’t know how Detroit affords Hossa even if he takes a paycut down to $4 million. They have $51 million for 16 players next year right now already. Who would they be trading away to make room? Holmstrom? Cleary? I don’t see anyone wanting Draper or Maltby. Brad Stuart maybe.
The possible kicking point in that, Austin, is Tampa at least won a Cup. Can’t imagine the NHL wants to move a team that’s done that, especially as recently as they’ve done it.
Hopefully both teams turn their fortunes around, as with the Coyotes. I almost went through it, and you guys did, and relocation isn’t fun. Not to mention the egg on the league’s face. Relocating any of those three teams, to me, says, “Oops, we screwed up.”
ATX, I don’t want to burst your bubble, but I remember listening to Kurtz and Reid before a Wild broadcast in Tampa, and they were saying how compared to many teams in the south, they actually have somewhat of a following, and seem to be have a bit of a market down there. Maybe it has something to do with snowbirds flocking south for the winter.
Not sure if anyone else knows anything else about this or not, but I found it kind of interesting when I heard it, and it stuck with me.
Yeah, I just think the future is grim in FLA with Douggie taking over. Hopefully he actually does them some good, but it makes me nervous.
I kind of think the Wild might trade down to gain extra picks, especially if prospects are on the board that they like, which I would be OK with. But wherever they draft, I agree that you have to take the best player available (as long as he has Minnesota ties and 6 degrees of seperation from Kevin Bacon).
Luke, there is no bubble to burst. I know the Panthers are the less popular team. But I just don’t care for the Lightning. Never have.
Kevin in PA says:
June 26th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Not to mention the egg on the league’s face. Relocating any of those three teams, to me, says, “Oops, we screwed up.”
Good point KiPA. Given that, they’d need a scapegoat. When Bettman is gone, might we see a team moved and “Bettman screwed up.”?
I’m with ya on that one. In fact, I don’t really care for either team, but follow the panthers a bit closer because I like to follow Ballard.
From the live chat:
10:44
Chris: In the meantime, don’t forget Russoville is open 24/7 on Michael’s blog. Just because you take an hour off work for a live chat doesn’t mean you can’t idle away the rest of today by engaging your fellow hockey fans on the blog.
Good one Chris! Whoever you are…
Relocating any of those three teams, to me, says, “Oops, we screwed up.”
very true but, moving the franchise to a more prosperous location also says they the acumen to fix the failure than sweep it into a corner and let it rot.
Goody, I was just going to post: prepare for an infestation of trolls.
Is Bettman ever likely to leave though?
Is Bettman ever likely to leave though?
He has to retire one day… right?
He has to retire one day… right?
Manage your expectations, Austin.
lol… indeed kevin… indeed.
JL = thats a spade.
Wild fan = are you sure?
JL = yup its a spade.
Wild fan= More Kool Aid please!
I think last year we needed to take a defensemen because we were strangely low on d-prospects. Also, there was an abundance of good defensemen last draft year.
moving the franchise to a more prosperous location also says they the acumen to fix the failure than sweep it into a corner and let it rot.
Why haven’t we seen this yet then? Why was Balsillie’s bid for Phoenix so flatly rejected?
not strangely — meant to say dangerously low
Why was Balsillie’s bid for Phoenix so flatly rejected?
I was always under the impression that it is because he wants to move it into a highly saturated market.
Would it have been more profitable than Phoenix though?
Isn’t the problem in Phoenix a brand new stadium, and Im assuming here, the team didn’t pay for it but mostly tax payer dollars did.
I think so Kevin… it is Canada after all. I think that Tornoto’s fan base is pretty rabid so putting the team in Hamilton wouldn’t effect the Leafs at all. But I am sure there are pleny of people in the Hamilton area that would love to have a team to call their own.
JL = thats a spade.
Wild fan = are you sure?
JL = yup its a spade.
Wild fan= More Kool Aid please!
Ha! Well played.
Another good point on Bettman not leaving KiPA.
Interesting bit at the end of the chat there. I know there’s been talk of Schroeder being small, but I never really realized how small - 5′8″! Many make a big deal of PMB being small, but he’s a full 2 inches taller than Schroeder! Imagine Schroeder standing between Boogaard and Scott!
He’d be safe…
Would it have been more profitable than Phoenix though?
Seems to me the better approach is to find the best available market for the franchise, not necessarily one that is merely better than Phx. PHX is a pretty low bar, after all.
New to the blog, so don’t know if this was previously discussed… What are thoughts that the “rumor” of Gaborik buying property in Vancouver was purposely leaked to hurt/destroy the Wild’s chances of trading him before the deadline?
Did the Winnipeg Jets move to Phoenix because they had a version of Norm Green as an owner, or did they move because they couldn’t make it financially? Would it be unrealistic to think that they could go back to MB?
On purpose or not, the rumor will likely mean that no team will be interested in getting exclusive bargaining rights to Gabby for a week. I don’t know that any team would have offered much up for that anyway… Gabby wants to take offers from all the teams.
Safe, but he’d look like a ‘little person’.
Not that I’m saying that short guys can’t play the game, just that I’d find the appearance humorous.
Why haven’t we seen this yet then?
I refer you back to who is running the show for that answer.
and i didn’t mean teams get shuffled to the flavor of the month town but there are teams that are clearly struggling and have been for quite some time. at some point it makes sense to cut your losses and move on.
Maybe so, Hockeydad, but that wasn’t the point of the discussion. GreenStar brought up a “more prosperous location,” not “the best.” The league seems to have had an interested buyer in what would’ve been a more prosperous location and said no, so I questioned the original point that the league is capable of fixing its mistakes.
lukewarm: I think they moved because they lacked corporate sponsorship, plus possibly the effect of the Canadian dollar. I think it is unrealistic they return to Winnipeg.
This is worse that being five the night before christmas. Can something good happen for the Wild. (Massively impatient & totally obsessed with what they are going to do!) Must get back to work but its Friday, the draft etc… screw work LOL
I refer you back to who is running the show for that answer.
Good point, and I agree with the rest of what you said too.
It’s also easy (and I’m doing this, not saying you are) to pick on teams who haven’t been good on the ice in a while. It might be nice to see if they’d fare any better with consistent success, which neither Phoenix nor Florida have had. I don’t know what kind of attendance the Panthers had last season, but if they can string together some playoff appearances, maybe their fortunes (literally) could change.
I concur with KiPA on the jets. i’d add that at the time i thought canadian taxes were so onerous that it made it nearly impossible to run a franchise unless you were toronto or montreal.
didn’t clagary and edmonton get concessions to keep them from moving?
i seem to recall that proline was either started or had it’s profits redirected to help out the canadian hockey franchises.
of course this could easily be me blowing smoke out my arse
absolutely. the question still is how long do you wait and how much money do you lose before you pull the plug?
a good leader knows how to answer this question. now i don’t know who was in charge but for a period of time it was not long (minnesota, winnipeg, quebec, hartford). heck, quebec was a playoff contender as was winnipeg.
Russo had this in one of his live Q&A responses:
I was talking about this with somebody last night. i just think in a lot of ways Doug never transitioned from being an expansion team.
Interesting point of view.
the question still is how long do you wait and how much money do you lose before you pull the plug?
D’oh. I was going to ask YOU that. Because I don’t know. What I do know is when I heard the NHL was expanding/moving to Phoenix, southern Florida, Tampa, and Nashville, I thought, “What are they thinking?” I’ve since had a discussion with Ms. C based on “non-traditional markets doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try” but I agree, if it’s not working after quite a while, stop trying to force it.
GreenStar….
You are correct on several items concerning the WPG situation. The Canadian dollar situation and the tax issue were a part of it. Plus, WPG was the smallest of all the Canadian markets at the time and, that added with the previous two sure didn’t help.
Another large part of it was their building. The old Winnipeg Arena was a dump, plain and simple, and by no means was up to NHL standards, even for that time.
And yes, due to the oppressive taxes in Alberta, both CGY and EDM got concessions to help them out financially and keep them in-place. It was so bad for a time, that many players didn’t want to sign with either of those teams due to the income taxes on their paychecks, and the hit they took by being paid in Canadian dollars vs US due to the difference in the currency(s) at that time.
KiPA & G*, thanks for the insight into the Jets. I have a bunch of relatives up there who would love to see them move back. Personally, I would like it. I think it would be cool to rekindle an ‘old’ rivalry (I know we’re not the North Stars anymore). They used to play on every boxing day (Dec 26th) and my dad had went to those games both in Mpls and in Winnipeg, and said those were some crazy events.
I think Bettman’s ‘grand plan’ for expansion was created by his grand ego to compete with his former boss’s league.
The NHL isn’t quite a fringe sport, but it hasn’t become a national sport either.
and thanks to you too Geno - didn’t hit refresh in time…
KiPA — I agree with you on the fact that we tend to pick on teams that haven’t been good on the ice recently. I’d like to point to the situation that Pitt was in not too many years ago…. absolutely no one in that town gave a rats ass about hockey. At all. Ok, except maybe you. Now, they’re full of obsessed die-hard Pens “fans.” Maybe the same thing can happen in PHX or FLA?
I have fond memories of Winnipeg Arena.
Obstucted view seats (along with a TV to see the game) for one… 
Well the team was going through bankruptcy a second time too, WildinATX. Still in a crappy arena, so it wasn’t just the on-ice product. There were legitimate off-ice concerns.
Well I’ll say this, our name keeps popping up in rumors this year…
From Darren Dreger’s Twitter:
Tor, Philly, Minny and LA closing in on Ryane Clowe. SJ still trying to sign him.
That’s fine and all Kevin. I’m not saying the same thing wouldn’t happen in MN too. It just bugs me that half the town now claims to be “die-hard” fans and claim they always have been. It’s fine to be a new or return fan, but own up to it. Just a huge pet peeve of mine that is exacerbated by certain friends of mine….
Well I’ll say this, our name keeps popping up in rumors this year…
From Darren Dreger’s Twitter:
Tor, Philly, Minny and LA closing in on Ryane Clowe. SJ still trying to sign him.
Interesting. I hadn’t heard any speculation about him coming to MN before this (obviously doesn’t mean much) but I wonder if Richards really likes him, and put a bug in Fletch’s ear.
SOMEBODY, make a move already!
I don’t get the rumors about Boston chasing Kaberle. How in the world do they fit him under the cap, esp. when they’re rumored to be offering no money (Kessel) in return?
Burke’s way of creating a false market?
Good question, HD. Supposedly the whole reason Kessel is on the block is because of the salary cap…but Kessel can’t be asking for much more than what Kaberle’s making.
I’m seeing a rumor that the salary cap might be going up to $57.8 million, but TSN was saying 56.8 on one of their blogs.
Here’s the TSN thing. Disregard that rumor.
Wasting the stock value of Harding and throwing in Zidlicky for Kaberle (if it were to go down) would be on the level of Doug Risebrough trading. Lets trade away our one HUGE blue chip, and a defenseman that can’t play defense, for a defenseman that can’t play defense… that’d be Doug Riser brilliant right there.
We’re not in the mix on Kaberle, are we, JKidd? I thought Russo said we weren’t. Maybe I dreamt that.
I personally like Clowe from what I’ve seen of him. I wouldn’t mind if he picked him up, obviously Kessel or Heatley would be a bigger splash, but Clowe is pretty decent.
You’re not dreaming…from Russo’s Twittering:
“Unless something changes today, I am told by impeccable source that contrary to reports, the Wild IS NOT in Tomas Kaberle talks”
Latest Tweet from Russo…
Fletcher meeting with staff @ 2 p.m.; Sources: St. Louis most interested in Harding; TSN reports Wild’s in on SJ’s Ryane Clowe
Thanks, Sparky. I agree with JKidd that that would be a horrible trade.
So Puck Daddy is reporting that Bemidji St and Nebraska-Omaha are being welcomed into the WCHA today. I didn’t know that was even in discussions. Have I been in a cave?
Thanks. lukewarm. I can’t access Twitter at work. These fascists actually expect me to do my job on NHL Draft Day.
Looking at Clowe’s stats and I see his games played are only: 18, 58, 15, 71. Are those low numbers due to call ups or injuries? I like his stats from last season though… 22G 30A… that would be a welcome addition to the Wild. i wonder who the Wild are dangling in front of the Sharks? (sounds like fish bait eh?)
Gun: I knew that Bemidji was really pushing to get in because their conference (4 teams) was or is likely to fold. They certainly made an excellent case for getting in by reaching the Frozen Four, which no other WCHA team did last season, and they are going to have a new rink built in a year or two. I had heard that what might hinder Bemidji’s chances was not having another team (currently 10, Bemidji would be 11) and that would create havoc with scheduling. Neb-Omaha would give it 12. I didn’t know N-O was in the picture.
Clowe missed 67 games in 2007-08 with a knee injury and all those games last season with a “lower body injury”.
Do you suppose that “2 p.m.” is EDT or CDT? Meaning, are they meeting now or in 45 minutes?
Thoughts on who we could get from Saint Louis for Harding? People were commenting earlier that it would be great to get Oshie, but that might be a strech. I don’t know St Louis that well.
Dave: You’re welcome. I feel your pain. I actually have to have a draft paper on my research submitted to my advisor by today - how in the hell am I supposed to get that done with the draft and trades? My adviser is Russian too, although he must not be a hockey fan
Jonsey - I would like to get Backes - big strong dude, put up 31G for them last year. No clue how realistic that is.
Gun: it has been a murmur, probably more on the radar with Blais taking over as coach of UNO, and BSU doing well in the ncaa playoffs.
Clowe missed 67 games in 2007-08 with a knee injury and all those games last season with a “lower body injury”.
Well, this past year he played 71 games, so maybe he has shaken the injury bug?? It still makes me weary though.
Jonesy, there are a bunch of Blues that look like they are still on their entry level deals… so I imagine that any number of them could be involved. Maybe a prospect or two from their AHL team?? Ms. C, do you know if they have any prospect worth a trade for Harding?
Living in Omaha, I would really like that to be true. That would be sweet to get to see the Gophers every year.
Well, this past year he played 71 games, so maybe he has shaken the injury bug??
haven’t we seen this before?
I think i read on one of the locals websites that the WCHA was meeting on expansion today.
Clowe and Backes to be the newest Wild players? Instant upgrade on the top 6 forwards. Make it happen Fletch.
Latest Russo tweet:
“Talked with agent Don Baizley, and MTL plans to speak w/ Saku Koivu early next week; I’m betting Wild makes big run if he gets to UFA”
For those without the ability to “Tweet”:
Russostrib: Talked with agent Don Baizley, and MTL plans to speak w/ Saku Koivu early next week; I’m betting Wild makes big run if he gets to UFA #nhl
Damnit Sparky… you stole my Thunder!
Latest Tweet from Russo…
Talked with agent Don Baizley, and MTL plans to speak w/ Saku Koivu early next week; I’m betting Wild makes big run if he gets to UFA
Sorry! You can have your thunder back–I need to plant some peppers.
Food.
Food
Shame on the poor internet connection but I thought yesterday’s chat was great.
Thank you.
