Wild wants to host NHL Entry Draft; RFA refresher
Posted on June 28th, 2009 – 5:24 PMBy Michael Russo
Monday morning update: Since I’ll be in the air when the Wild announces which restricted free agents it qualifies to retain their rights, I thought I’d give you an explanation. Essentially, by 4 p.m., teams must tender qualifying offers to restricted free agents. If they don’t, those players become unrestricted free agents when free agency opens Monday and they’re free to sign with any team in the league.
Basically, to retain a players rights today, teams must offer 10-percent raises on players who made $660,000 or less last season, 5 percent raises on players who made $660,000-$1 million and no raise on players who made more than $1 million.
So, for instance, Kyle Brodziak made $497,500, so he’s got to be offered a $49,750 raise (10 percent). Benoit Pouliot’s salary if he had played a full year in the NHL would have been $765,000 (not including bonuses). So he’s got to be offered a 5 percent raise or a contract of $803,250. Josh Harding must be offered a 5 percent raise of $725,000. Dan Fritsche made $875,000, so to qualify him, he’d have to be offered a contract of $918,750 (5 percent raise).
And remember, this is just to keep them. This is before you actually negotiate the contract. If you take a look at the above, you’ll see a very good reason why the Wild might not qualify Fritsche today. He plays the same role as Brodziak might play, yet just to keep him, you’d have to offer him almost $1 million or $371,500 more than Brodziak to perhaps play the same role. If you let Fritsche go, that $918,750 could come in very handy when you’re trying to sign players in free agency.
Again though, we’ll find out for sure today. I was told by a few sources yesterday that Chuck Fletcher was trying to trade Fritsche the last few weeks. Obviously he was unable to, which could be a further clue that he might be let go today.
Sunday night blog: Good day from Vermont, where I spent part of the day on Lake Champlain. Other than the gnats, it was a good way to decompress from a busy week.
Here are the links from Sunday’s articles:
Here is the Insider on owner Craig Leipold talking about having the money to spend in free agency
Here is the Kyle Brodziak trade story
I’ll be flying home Monday, and as I’ve mentioned, there will at least be the news of the restricted free agents. When that comes out and perhaps other news, if I’m in the air, the blog will be updated from the office. So no worries.
Just thought I’d clean out my draft notebook from the weekend:
– Owner Craig Leipold loves the passion and hype and hoopla that comes with the draft, and he told me he’s looking to soon bring one to Minnesota for the Wild to host. Remember, the Nashville Predators — Leipold’s previous team — hosted the 2003 draft.
– GM Chuck Fletcher on free agency: “We’ve had some ideas what we wanted to do in free agency all along if we weren’t able to make trades and we have some things we can do internally too with player shifting to different areas. I think we have some flexibility what can we do. I do believe having cap space is a very valuable commodity. I do believe if we have cap space, at some point we will be rewarded. I’m not sure we have to fill every hole the first week of July but what will happen will be a product of which way the market goes. If it’s a buyers market, hopefully we do well.”
I did want to make one note on free agency after reading the Insider again today. I know I mentioned a lot of names in there. I wanted to make clear though if the Wild gets a star, that obviously inhibits other things like maybe the top defensemen I mentioned, etc. I don’t want you to think that IF they signed a Hossa or the Sedins, then they can go out AND sign a Beauchemin or a Scuderi.
The higher the price, the less money they can spend in other areas. If you looked at the updated salary chart in the paper, the Wild is roughly $13 million below the cap. However, if Colton Gillies plays in the minors, that frees up $1.04 million of cap space. However, remember, even though the cap is $56.8 million, most teams would want to be at least $2 million below.
As for the Draft……
– Uncle Jeff Hackett on third-round pick, goalie Matt Hackett: “You can only guide them, but he made himself. He was a good student. But he understands the process in front of him. That’s the one advantage of having a relative in hockey. Handshakes and smiles are good today, but he knows he has a lot of work.”
Matt Hackett on his style: “I’ve been told I’m a hybrid. I never heard that before. But I’m a butterfly. I feel I move side to side really well. I’m big in net – I try to make myself look big in net. I cut down the angle and have a good glove hand. I have to work on my puck handling.”
– More on fourth-round pick Fallstrom: He was draft eligible last year but got passed.
“He was the youngest guy eligible for last year’s draft (Sept. 15 birthday),” assistant GM Tommy Thompson said. “People looked at him as a good player who was weak as a kitten, and it was our regional scout – Ken Prost — who said, ‘You better get out and see this kid because he’s got a different body.”
The guy’s english is ridiculous. Barely an accent. He said it’s because his dad married a woman from England, so most his cousins are British. Basically, Shattuck went to play in Sweden five years ago and played Fallstrom’s team. Two years ago, they contacted him and “It’s always been a dream for me to play in the United States.
On playing at Shattuck: “It’s a great experience. It’s basically school and hockey. I think that’s the best combination because it keeps everything else out of your life and you can focus on school and hockey. I think it’s exactly why the school’s able to produce so many good hockey players.”
– On seventh-round pick Haula: “He’s got everything except the acceleration in his legs right now,” Thompson said. “If he gets stronger, he gets quicker and I think you might get a pretty good player there.”
– Edina’s Zach Budish on the Wild’s first-round pick, Nick Leddy, his roomie at the U next fall: “I’ve been good friends with him growing up and I’m very happy to see him go to the hometown Wild. He’s very deserving of going that high. Some people might have been surprised, but I think he’s definitely worth it. He’s going to be a top defenseman in the NHL one day.”
Budish on whether he wonders if he would have been a first-round pick if he didn’t miss all season with a knee injury: “You can say all you want ‘what if,’ but the reality is I went to Nashville and I couldn’t be happier. You definitely realize how much you miss the game when you miss a full year.”
– Lastly, Kyle Brodziak called me back this afternoon. I quoted him in Sunday’s paper courtesy of Wild Radio personality’s Kevin Falness, so an apprehensive thanks there to Falness. Brodziak seems like a good guy. He’s very excited, had a feeling he’d be on the move and says fans are going to love the change of style Todd Richards will bring. Brodziak played for Richards in Wilkes-Barre.
He noted how he’s had success against the Wild.
“I think it’s because I love the building, the atmosphere, so let’s hope that translates when I’m playing there all the time,” Brodziak said.
OK, Russo out.
193 Responses to "Wild wants to host NHL Entry Draft; RFA refresher"
Dallas has been trying to change the face of the organization from him to others for a couple of years now
From the last thread: MKia, if Dallas has been trying to change the face of the organization for “years” as you say, then why did the owner convince Modano to return, like you also said? Way to contradict yourself there, buddy.
But hey, if you think Modano is the way to go for the Wild to win a Stanley Cup in the future, so be it. I won’t argue it any more with you.
@hey russo
Olvecky is gone?
He’s an RFA. Will find out Monday if he’s being qualified. He absolutely should be IMO.
Ok fellow Russotans, let’s try this just for fun (and some sanity)…I don’t care how stupid they are, how unoriginal, how whatever they are, stop responding to MKVN. Let him talk to his multiple personalities and that’s it. We all know what he is full of so let’s leave him be & ignore him. Just don’t read his posts & don’t answer him. I know that is what I have been doing. Who’s with me?
We all have a right to our opinions and a right to post here. We aren’t all going to have the same opinion on a subject but there comes a time when arguing over differing ones isn’t working any more, agree to disagree and move on. The differing opinions is one thing I like on here. The crazy hairbrained ones, not so much but I skip them and move on most of the time. I can get a bit argumentative at times I will admit but who can’t. I know I am not always right and I know that not everyone has my opinion and that is ok.
Been doing that for weeks Kgoph. Usually they’re too long to read anyway with my short attention span and, of course, knowing they’re nonsense.
Glad to have you on board ms. c. I feel the same way on the too long & nonsense.
Awww… I read the headline and thought it said “Wild set to host NHL entry draft”. Got me so excited 
I was surprised but not disappointed with our 1st round pick. Must have really impressed management if they were that high on him. Good luck at the U Leddy. It will be fun to watch him play live.
Come on now did I call it a couple weeks back? I said no matter who the Wild select in the 1st round a group a people will show up and B!TCH about the pick. We even picked a local boy and people still said we blew the draft! LMAO. How’s about we wait about 5 years and see how this draft actually shapes up from round 1 - 7?
I agree on people having differing opinions. The thing that pmo this weekend was the name calling and personal attacks.
SOME of the regulars get mad when the rubes that would like to see a first line of Brian Bonin, Reggie Berg, and Ryan Kraft come on and complain, but I don’t know if I’ve seen any of them resorting to what I saw this weekend.
Most people learn at some point that if you are educated and confident in your opinions, you don’t have to resort to personal attacks to get your point across.
MSCBMKVN…
Stop posting as kgopher… 
Seriously, I’ll stop feeding the animals.
Nope kj, I actually didn’t have my identity highjacked.
I haven’t read a MKIA post in many many months, myself.
MSCBMKVN posts should always have a “for entertainment purposes only” disclaimer.
Speaking of entertainment, which one of you came to Minnesota Music Cafe, MKVN?
bg: best wishes for a great resume and fabulous results!
kg: stopped reading his stuff months ago.
kj: awesome gig, the acoustics were great and the band sounded really tight. How was the road trip with the family?
–The thing that pmo this weekend was the name calling and personal attacks.–
It’s a message board. That stuff will always be here. Sometimes a dolt needs to be told he/she’s a dolt.
And as far as Skoula, I don’t really have a bias one way or the other. I am confident however, that highly educated and experienced hockey people know his value and will find a place for him in the NHL.
And then there are the fair weather fans.
M 03…
We made it safely, thanks for asking… 
It took longer than I hoped but we’re here.
You’re too kind…but thanks…and we’ll be back at MMC in Sept!!!
Sometimes the person calling out the dolt makes themselves look like one.
On a totally non-hockey related note the Mr. and I went to to the drive-in theater in Litchfield and watched the new Transformers movie last night. Great movie and love going to the drive-in.
I got a postcard from my friend H today. It has a gorilla on it. The gorilla is drinking beer and talking about Milwaukee.
If I’d only waited one more day to redo my resume and send it out I could have added “crisis management” skillz. The smell of wet documents and plaster is horrid. I thought I was gonna yack. Was not the best day for me to wear a white shirt.
How many more days till camp starts? I’m going through considerable hockey with drawl.
I had a nice little party out on Thunder Island this weekend to celebrate the draft. We had Tyler Bozak on teleconference providing analysis. Brad Malone (Ryan’s cousin) almost drowned but this big Asian kid I’d never seen before saved him.
Oh. And Russo. Watch out for Champ (Nessie’s American cousin).
Michael - great stuff. Does Falness know you almost gave him a compliment?
So does anyone believe Saku Koivu when he says he wants to stay in Montreal?
I am comfused. I actually came on not expecting to post but I read some of this stuff and man I have to post
First Mister Biskers= Tell me what is a bad argument here Mister Biskers
I say try to pick Modano up and kick butt in free agency. Main thing keep your assets. Look for veteran players like Owen Nolan who can score, like Modano and Jagr.
I dont see how that argument is a stupid one Mister Biskers. Please explain yourself
As for “K-Rodent” If you read this blog I am almost always right. That is why I have been named Mister Know it all. FYI, your are now “K-Rodent”
I believe him Kevin in PA- Please listen “K-rodent” and “Mister Biskers”
I said from day 1 it would be counterproductive for Mikko and Saku to be on the same team. I said no chance he would ever be here. This dates back 2 months ago
A worthy read from the Vancouver Sun includes this:
Smart people at The Vancouver Sun have been watching real estate records for evidence of a Gaborik purchase and can’t find any. (And, yes, most players own real estate in their names).
Mostly, I’ve been watching to see if anyone outside the Canucks realizes how nonsensical is the idea that the National Hockey League team is going to sign Gaborik to a big, free-agent contract this week.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Canucks+free+agent+frenzy+keys+Garage+Gaborik/1742266/story.html
If true, I find this part more intriguing:
Gaborik’s agent, Ron Salcer, has some kind of blood feud going with Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis, who relieved Salcer of client Pavel Bure when the former Canuck became exasperated with his team and agent more than a decade ago.
C’mon folks… Arent we missing the true beauty of the draft? Seeing who the next stars will be? Keep in mind that I am by no means a fan for these guys or their new team, but given their draft day track record, which of the following is going to be the next name from nowhere that looks like a superstar in the making?
Landon Ferraro, C
Tomas Tatar, C
Andrej Nestrasil, C
Gleason Fournier, D
Nick Jensen, D
Mitchell Callahan, RW
Adam Almqvist, D
Honestly if we could give the city to Canada and make them keep it I’d be all for it….
FFS…great link!
LA Kings, meet your new winger…
I haven’t read a MKIA post in many many months, myself
ditto
Sometimes a dolt needs to be told he/she’s a dolt.
ditto again.
Come on now did I call it a couple weeks back? I said no matter who the Wild select in the 1st round a group a people will show up and B!TCH about the pick.
spot on. please tell me you see ice girls in our future
i have read mkia posts and I have to come to his defense. not sure what he is saying that is off base
KiPA - $alcer blood feuds with GMs is old news while NHL real estate transactions (real or otherwise) is always breaking news 
Bob= Thank you, finally someone with some sense
Greenstar= Please
Kevin in PA= Again I am right for calling Slacer the one with 0 sense
Five Forward system= Look outside the box. He could have made a commitment on the house and a real estate agent reported it as a gossip thing. That would not record anything. The blog needs me to shine a light on things
LA Kings, meet your new winger…
Yup. I mean, you can just see him there, right?
ms.c…
LA is the perfect place when you’re on IR for 47% of the season…
kgopher says:
June 28th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Ok fellow Russotans, let’s try this just for fun (and some sanity)…I don’t care how stupid they are, how unoriginal, how whatever they are, stop responding to MKVN. Let him talk to his multiple personalities and that’s it. We all know what he is full of so let’s leave him be & ignore him. Just don’t read his posts & don’t answer him. I know that is what I have been doing. Who’s with me?
So does this apply to suspected MKVN personalities as well?
I just had a thought… What if MKVN is actually a personality one of the ‘normal’ regulars? One of the otherwise seemingly sane people who slips into MKIA, GOW, The Beav, etc.
ms.conduct says:
June 29th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Yup. I mean, you can just see him there, right?
Yep, I can see him stuck in traffic in his $475,000 (or whatever it was) Porsche. Stop, go, stop, go… 
Anyone know if it’s possible to read the blog on your phone? I can access Russo’s posts, but can’t get to the Russoville blog string.
“I had a nice little party out on Thunder Island this weekend to celebrate the draft. We had Tyler Bozak on teleconference providing analysis. Brad Malone (Ryan’s cousin) almost drowned but this big Asian kid I’d never seen before saved him.”
Aaallrighty then. Jay f’ing, what is the Thunder Island reference? from a song right? Steve Miller?
what’s the wild tie in?
Pewter…
I guess it depends on what phone you’re using. Mine works great, right M 03?
Sent from my iPhone
when free agency opens Monday
You mean Wednesday?
From that Vancouver Sun article: The Canucks don’t care where Gaborik lives because he won’t be playing for them. Not unless the winger decides he needs to re-establish himself in the NHL and signs a Teemu-Selanne-just-back-from-knee-surgery contract of $3-million for one year.
Other than that, the Canucks have no interest in him. None.
That’s interesting. I personally think gabby should take a small one-year deal to prove his surgeries did the trick. And he should sign that deal with MN! Ahhh, to dream.
Pewterschmidt says:
June 29th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Aaallrighty then. Jay f’ing, what is the Thunder Island reference? from a song right? Steve Miller?
what’s the wild tie in?
Errr… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdfyUZUllLI
I’ve no idea what the Wild tie in is. I’ve always just accepted Jay as just another eccentric Wild fan.
How close is Fletch with Superagent JP Barry? Any ideas?
SO what happens with Harding, now that the draft is over is it possible to still move him. Cant remeber what Goalies are out there for FA. Is St. Louis still interested. What would it take to get Oshie from them.
What would it take to get Oshie from them.
A miracle.
Or a possibly Koivu as well as Harding?
It would appear that mkia is not off base when you look at paying Selanne 3 million and Modano is getting 3 million. Why is everone calling mkia a goof ?
AustinTXwildfan says:
June 29th, 2009 at 8:57 am
From that Vancouver Sun article: The Canucks don’t care where Gaborik lives because he won’t be playing for them. Not unless the winger decides he needs to re-establish himself in the NHL and signs a Teemu-Selanne-just-back-from-knee-surgery contract of $3-million for one year.
Other than that, the Canucks have no interest in him. None.
That’s interesting. I personally think gabby should take a small one-year deal to prove his surgeries did the trick. And he should sign that deal with MN! Ahhh, to dream.
Why is everone calling mkia a goof ?
Most people who talk to themselves are considered goofs.
I did not know he talked to himself. Then for sure he is a goof if he does that
brainfreeze says:
—-Sometimes the person calling out the dolt makes themselves look like one.—-
And that certainly sounds like an educated and confident opinion lacking in personal attacks.
Today’s message from Wordpress. “You’re posting too fast. Please slow down.” Anyone else ever get that?
Fritsche: Why wouldn’t we qualify him? Is he due a one way contract or something? Did he not play most of last year with the Rangers’ AHL team? Did he play too many games with the Wild to be assigned to Houston? Yes, I know he’d have to clear waivers (that’s how we got him right?), but would that be any worse than just letting him go? I’m thinking I must not know the whole story.
I can’t think why we wouldn’t qualify him, and if not needed with the big club attempt to send him to Houston (or attempt a trade). It’s not like he’s signed for a ton of money or anything.
I’m eager to find out who the Wild goes after in free agency. If the Wild is able to pick up Cammalleri and Koivu, it could end up being a fun season to watch.
Goody: Apparently it’s because he is due for a raise that puts him over 1 million, and Brodziak is the same type of player for a lot less money. Personally, I think Fritzy could be really good. He has some some great wheels and he has a pretty good shot. I would have really enjoyed keeping him around.
Man, as much as the NHL wants to grow public interest in the sport they do a crappy job of hyping their draft. Granted, it’ll never be as big as the NBA or NFL because NHL draftees don’t get national exposure. Here are my suggestions: simple, but pretty easy to do…
1. Uh, don’t have your draft the day after the NBA draft. (PS–this goes the same for having NHL finals games the same night as NBA finals games!)
2. A little hype, perhaps, on the national outlets (ESPN, FOX, etc.)–market at least 2 of the best guys!
3. The NBA has their draft at MSG, looking posh and first rate. The NHL? In Montreal (yeah, you lost everyone already)? Plus, it looks like the NHL took cardboard backdrop and painted it white. It looked like crap. The presentation of the draft picks were awkward, etc. No video follow-up after each pick, just bad interviews with misanthropic GM’s. Just not a good show at all.
Sakku is washed up unfortunately, don’t overpay for him. Get what you can for Harding. Roloson is on the market - if he’s willing to come back here cheap he could back up Backstrom. Or maybe push him if Backstrom can’t handle playing in back of a system that stresses offense.
So I have been watching some videos of Oshie on YouTube… that kid can check. I can see why he is a fan favorite over there in STL.
I would have really enjoyed keeping him around.
I also think his poor faceoff record sort of dooms him. You can only afford have so many 3rd/4th line centers on your team (better to have ones that win faceoffs). Unless you’re Doug Risbrough…
Sakku is washed up unfortunately,
For a washed up player, his 50 points would have tied him for second place in scoring on the Wild last season. And that was in only 65 games. We could definitely do worse for a second line center.
Sounds like a smart move to me. Keep the contracts as low as possible on the bottom 6 wingers and bottom pairing D.
Fritsche’s got speed, strong physical play, and scoring ability…way better than Brodziak…going on the cheap again…things haven’t changed with new Management at all…
Fritsche’s got speed, strong physical play, and scoring ability…way better than Brodziak…going on the cheap again…things haven’t changed with new Management at all…
You really think Dan Fritsche is a difference-maker? Wow.
Dan Fritsche is a solid 4th-liner, fair 3rd line fill-in player. Nothing wrong with that at all.
What you just don’t get is that Fletch not tendering him today IS a HUGE change from the previous management regime who were all-too happy to overpay for depth players (and then use that to tell us they were spending to the cap), at the expense of top line guys.
I’m not saying you don’t need Dan Fritsches on your lineup. You do. But you don’t need to overpay for them, when you have A) serviceable replacements for him that cost less money and/or B) kids in the system that need a carrot to motivate them to improve.
If you want Dan Fritsche at the price he’s going to command, then you don’t want legit 1st and 2nd lines on the Wild. At that point it’s YOU that hasn’t changed from the old regime. Glad to see DR managed at least one fan’s expectations…
pwned
pwned
Can this be grouped with NiNY for POTD? I literally laughed audibly at my desk at this.
I’m not saying you don’t need Dan Fritsches on your lineup. You do. But you don’t need to overpay for them, when you have A) serviceable replacements for him that cost less money and/or B) kids in the system that need a carrot to motivate them to improve.
imo Fritsche is worth maybe 600k for what he brings to the party (PROTip: It wasn’t much). Better to get an underpaid performer than an overpaid warm body.
Interesting points Nick.
Fritsche is still pretty young is he not? 24 I do believe. I’d rather have him playing 3rd/4th line minutes (on wing) than SRV (28) or Weller.
As for DR being “all-too happy to overpay”, that doesn’t quite jive with his sending SRV through waivers last summer in order to drive down his price.
What leads you to believe Fritsche would command more money? It would seem his on ice performance wouldn’t justify it, otherwise we might not be having this discussion.
AustinTXwildfan says:
June 29th, 2009 at 10:43 am
So I have been watching some videos of Oshie on YouTube… that kid can check. I can see why he is a fan favorite over there in STL.
I had had student season tickets when he was at UND, and he would destroy people on a regular basis. He’s very strong on his skates, and strong in general for a guy who isn’t overly big ~6′0″, 190lb. He seems to time hits really well.
lukewarm: Yeah I saw a few of those hits on youtube as well. The kid is strong.
What leads you to believe Fritsche would command more money? It would seem his on ice performance wouldn’t justify it, otherwise we might not be having this discussion.
Fritsche made 875 last year, meaning he’s due at least 919 this year. Fact is he’s not a million dollar player.
What leads you to believe Fritsche would command more money?
fritsche is 23 according to nhlnumbers and was paid 875k. to retain his rights you must qualify for around 919k. this is the minimum you can sign him for. this makes him about 350k more than brodzie. i think this is where the more money things comes into play.
i think if the two are basically the same player then dumping the higher salary is not a bad move. 4th liners are dime a dozen so taking the cap space and trying to use it on a commodity is wise. especially when you know if you need to fill out the roster there will be a few hundred 4th liners out there waiting for a call that will play for nothing.
this isn’t a knock on fritche just economics
Appears Irm’s been qualified. Not sure of the source:
I’d rather have him playing 3rd/4th line minutes (on wing) than SRV (28) or Weller.
SRV is UFA and the prevailing wind is he is not getting an offer.
Weller is in the last year of a 2 year deal and playing for chump change. i’d like to think if weller was RFA they might qualify fritche over weller but then is fritche 400k better?
If we truly think that Dan Fritsche is the answer to our problems….
Man it’s going to be a long year next year!
Yes, he brought some energy last year, and was a good pickup for ‘popcorn’ Reitz, but for that almost $1mil, you could bring up 2 wingers from Houston who could bring as much energy….and score as much….as Fritsche did last year (except if you are counting Poolboy)
Goody: DR bent SRV over last summer, but still paid him $862k. That’s pretty much what I’m trying to say.
My guess is that Boogey is harder for Fletch to move today for the fact that he is contracted to receive $1.25M this year (cap hit of $950k.)
It does seem to make the most sense letting Fritsche go. I liked him, but it looks like it’s time to move forward.
My sister met him a few weeks ago at some fundraiser in Ohio, and she being from MN, started talking to him about hockey. He said he really enjoyed playing here, and was hoping he would be able to stay.
I for one would rather have Kolanos (UFA) than Fritsche. I hope Fletch & Richards take a look at him. I think he could thrive in a more offensive style of play.
I’m really surprised we are scrutinizing the details of whether Fritsche is qualified or not. As others have said, he is role-player - not an impact player. This is the least of roster concerns at this point.
Someone will always find something to bitch about I guess.
Wallshot, I don’t disagree that 3rd and 4th liners are not our club’s biggest holes, but at this point, they are the ones that can be filled. The big ones have to wait until Wednesday.
Good points all around about Fritsche. I had forgotten that in order to qualify him he must get a raise.
He has so much as said it, but it appears to me that Fletch is banking on being able to fill out the roster on the backs of those teams who are cap strapped and will have to dump some pretty decent players for next to nothing come fall. He seems to be lickin’ his chops over that.
Brodziak is apparently a pretty good faceoff guy as well. The Wild definitely need help in that department.
Yeah, I cannot believe people on this blog…complain, complain, complain…
I understand why Fritz will be let go - $400K. However, with Gaby and Fritz gone, our skating speed just got a lot slower.
However, with Gaby and Fritz gone, our skating speed just got a lot slower.
good point. Though if we move Boogaard then the average speed of the whole team goes up regardless of who they get back!
with Gaby and Fritz gone, our skating speed just got a lot slower.
true but what good is skating speed if you are never in position to showcase it? how important is skating speed when you are on the 4th line?
I thought of this, and wondered if it had crossed anyone else’s mind? Havlat and Cammalleri are both UFA’s. It’s unlikely that they’d both sign with MN, or even with the same team, but I think it would be interesting if they did considering Cammalleri’s sucker punch on Havlat in the playoffs.
I know Havlat has said he wants to stay in Chicago, but just thought it’s make for at least one or two awkward moments if they did.
New Wild GM Chuck Fletcher is being very aggressive in trying to land Lecavalier before his no-trade clause kicks-in on July 1st. (Bob Mckenzie)
I would like them to keep frizzy…..but putting him through free agencey actually makes a lot of sense….
if we could sign him to the same $ amount I am all for it (I don’t mind having an extra penalty killer/spark plug on the team….penalty killers get penaltys as well…..)
plus technicly speaking he would replace gilies on the roster, and that signifys being cheaper!
4th line winger…..perfect spot for him.
Hey cant we still trade backs before July 1st. Would it be possible to send Backs and Say Gillies to St. Lousi for Oshie. Free up that 6 mil contract.
I know Havlat has said he wants to stay in Chicago, but just thought it’sit’d make for at least one or two awkward moments if they did.
Just getting caught up here today. Lots of stuff posted lately, and unfortunately, too much of it from MKVN and his multiple personalities.
I agree with the “ignore him and he’ll go away” approach. It’s worth a try anyway.
I will say one thing though. All those posts from MKVN on the last thread about Modano was sure starting to make me miss Alan. Seriously, maybe we can make a “blog trade” and swap MKVN for Alan and / or an exciteable meathead to be named later.
ag…if that is true……then fletch is my hero!
lecavalier is one of my favorites in the league right now…….as long as we don’t give up too much….I am firmly planted on that bus….
…I have no idea what that last phrase meant……
kj: yes your i-phone works great.
Friday night - left my place before the Wild picked #16. I got to MMC & kj stops by to say “they picked Leddy” , showed the i-phone & the draft updates. Great stuff. Hockey people, just the best.
how important is skating speed when you are on the 4th line?
Pertty damn important when you play the ol’ dump and chase.
I was all set to write that I love Vinny the player but hate Vinny the contract…but then I went to nhlnumbers only to learn that his cap hit is only $7.727M!
That’s just more than $1M more than Gaby’s cap hit last year.
Hey, if CL is willing to shell out the do-re-mi every year, then Vinny at that cap hit is awesome.
Adding to AG’s post:
Bob McKenzie’s Twitter:
While that may prove difficult (given MTL and SJ’s interest), MIN is still a front-runner for Heater. Bouchard & Zidlicky are on the table.
6:46 AM Jun 28th from web
New Wild GM Chuck Fletcher is being very aggressive in trying to land Lecavalier before his no-trade clause kicks-in on July 1st.
6:43 AM Jun 28th from web
Again, I am happy the new regime is atleast doing it’s due diligence. Our name has been linked to almost every big name on the trade block at this point. To me, that is already a huge updated to DR.
*huge upgrade*
as long as we don’t give up too much
I imagine you would have to give up Burns, Koivu, or Backstrom + picks and prospects to get Vinny.
I’m interested in who we would trade to be able to land Vinny though. Realistically: PMB, Harding, a 1st, and 3rd?
I wonder what Tampa would want for him
lukewarm says:
June 29th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I thought of this, and wondered if it had crossed anyone else’s mind? Havlat and Cammalleri are both UFA’s. It’s unlikely that they’d both sign with MN, or even with the same team, but I think it would be interesting if they did considering Cammalleri’s sucker punch on Havlat in the playoffs.
I’d think no worse than Fedoruk ending up on the same team as Boogaard. Though, in that case it wasn’t a sucker punch. Fedoruk went looking for that fight.
I’d think no worse than Fedoruk ending up on the same team as Boogaard. Though, in that case it wasn’t a sucker punch. Fedoruk went looking for that fight.
Didn’t Boogaard admit that was very awkward for him, especially since they put Fridge’s locker right next to him? Didn’t he also ask the PR peeps at the X to take off the video from the opening montage as well?
Gun, swap in Burns for PMB and I bet you would be a bit warmer.
Not to be Debbie Downer but it’s been confirmed that is a fake Twitter account just thowing out Eklund type rumors. Plus Montreal has more players to offer and they couldn’t complete the Vinny trade this past weekend.
I was all set to write that I love Vinny the player but hate Vinny the contract…but then I went to nhlnumbers only to learn that his cap hit is only $7.727M!
That looks ok now, but remember that is also for the next 10 years. Looks fine now, but maybe not so great when he’s 39. However, if the cap is way up then, maybe it’s not a big deal.
While that may prove difficult (given MTL and SJ’s interest), MIN is still a front-runner for Heater. Bouchard & Zidlicky are on the table.
That would be VERY interesting, if that is true. It would put the Wild in the same cap number, so they’d still have a lot of room to sign another star or (gulp) two…
Right on Goody. Fridge went after him, and they were going at it fair and square when Boogie connected.
I think those guys could get past it, and maybe they’d just chalk it up to being intense and in the playoffs, but I would have to think it would at least be a bit awkward for a little while.
I though OTT didn’t want PMB. Didn’t Russo say that last week sometime?
If the Wild are in play, the cost for LeCavalier wouldn’t be cheap. Given Tampa Bays’ desire to reduce it’s payroll, PMB may be more contract than they want in return. Harding is probably in the mix. Then need to add a combination totaling at least three from the following: 1st round picks, Sheppard, or Cuma.
Gun, I think Boogie did admit that. That’s probably why they put them next to each other in the locker room. It might make it awkward at first, but if it comes out right away usually those things can become water under the bridge.
That looks ok now, but remember that is also for the next 10 years. Looks fine now, but maybe not so great when he’s 39. However, if the cap is way up then, maybe it’s not a big deal.
good point, wall. Though it is one of those deals that tapers off towards the end in terms of salary per annum, which might make it easier to trade him (assuming he’s still worth anything.)
The rumored driver for TB wanting to move LeCavalier is the desire to reduce the team payroll while they rebuild around Stamkos/Hedman. So, it is likely they’ll want cheap/younger players and picks for him.
I have no basis in fact for this opinion, but Fridge struck me (no pun intended) as the type of guy to not have that be a big deal. And if he was cool with it, I would imagine it would be easy for Boogey to get comfortable too.
Fridge dropped the gloves a couple times in a Wild sweater, no?
The ‘Detroit decade’ and LeCavalier contracts are heavily front loaded. I don’t remember the exact math, but wouldn’t a buyout towards the end of one of those contracts be not so terrible under the current CBA?
wow. why all the animosity directed at MKIA? And who the heck is MKVN? And no, I am not one of the multiple personalities associated with either one of them.
Further, while I defended MKIA yesterday, at times in the past, I have disagreed with him. Just as with many others of you: sometimes agreement, sometimes think you are crazy…and most often, don’t say anything about it.
People such as MKIA and sometimes myself, who often or all the time or occasionally speak in the “first person” are not to be automatically dubbed as “goofs”.
What is up with some of your folks? Is this an exclusive clique?
“Aaallrighty then. Jay f’ing, what is the Thunder Island reference? from a song right? Steve Miller?
what’s the wild tie in?”
What’s to get? I’m Jay Ferguson, I wrote “Thunder Island” (Steve Miller wishes he wrote it) and I’m talking about the draft, which the Wild took part in.
NiNY, I think you’re right. If I recall correctly, I remember reading that the first thing Fridge did when he got to the Wild locker room was shake Boogaard’s hand.
From what I understand, fighters have a lot of respect for each other, and as long as someone doesn’t do something cheap, I don’t imagine there would be much for hard feelings. Remember, as soon as Boogard connected, he skated away - he didn’t continue to pummel him when he was writhing around on the ice.
Fridge did drop the gloves a few times for the Wild - my favorite was when Boogaard, Simon, and Fridge all fought in one game up in Calgary.
Lukewarm, you’re right about fighters having a respect for one another. I remember Fedoruk was a great example of that. When he fought Aaron Downey, they patted each other on the back after the fight, as if to say, “Just doing our jobs.” And when Fedoruk beat the hell out of Jeff Cowan, he had the opportunity to finish him off down on his knees but he held up.
What is up with some of your folks? Is this an exclusive clique?
That depends on the degree to which you’re comfortable agreeing with the rest of us all the time.
Geno- I am reading throuh the post and of course I recieved my daily rip. You can try ignoring me but that had not worked in the past when others have tried.
Weak arguments were given as to the Minnesota Born comments. It has now been confirmed I was right
Weak arguments have been given for the lack of consideration for Modano. I say wait till after your free agency results are in and if you have money or can swing it, I would do it
Jay f’ing Ferguson
That’s exclusivity!
I don’t have any problem with anyone posting here, but that doesn’t mean I have to feel obligated to read every post, either. With MKIA, in particular, the schtick just sort of got old with me fast and so I decided to just move ahead to the next post. Not all that different than the original “Mike” - I got a kick out of the way he posted for no other reason than to get a reaction out of people, but then after awhile, with only limited time to read stuff here, I skipped over those things. Nothing personal.
You’re right Stoned. I may have flown off the handle a little this weekend.
To me, the majority of the narrow minded, hillbillie, trailer park folks only come on here twice a year. At the trade deadiline, and during the draft/free agency period.
My guess is that there are two type of people in this crowd. 1. The people that actually do feel that way, which I would guess makes up about 5% of them, and 2. the people that are just trying to get a reaction(and they always get one)which makes up the other 95%, and you’re probably never going change either type. No matter how you respond.
Okay I know we are supposed to ignore him.. but..
Weak arguments were given as to the Minnesota Born comments. It has now been confirmed I was right
WTF?? *head spinds around 3 times* right about what!? *Head explodes*.
Again, I am happy the new regime is atleast doing it’s due diligence. Our name has been linked to almost every big name on the trade block at this point. To me, that is already a huge updated to DR.
I have every reason to like Flecther and I had several reasons why I wanted to see DR go, but is a double-standard begining to emerge in how the two are treated. Under DR, the Wild were commonly mentioned as being in the running for several high profile deals or signings (Forsberg, OJ, Hossa, to name a few), but for most people that wasn’t enough if he couldn’t land the deal. Now, are we expressing relief that we’re at least making an effort with these big deals, even if the effort has been thus far unsuccessful?
Bad ATX! Bad!
Hockeydad: good point. Excellent point, in fact.
“What’s to get? I’m Jay Ferguson, I wrote “Thunder Island” (Steve Miller wishes he wrote it) and I’m talking about the draft, which the Wild took part in.”
Ok, now it’s crystal clear.
Bad ATX! Bad!
I know, I know… it’s just so mind bogglingly (yeah I know) STUPID.
NiNY - So you think Brodziak was a good decision??? All I’m saying is Fritsche IMO is the better choice. Why bring in Brodziak when you have Fritsche already? He’s half the money sure, but half the player too. Fritsche was probably 2nd or 3rd fastest on the team…he’s young, got time to develop. Poor choice on the Wilds part. Dump Johnsson and his 5 million contract and they’d have money to work with…
Hockeydad…
I cannot criticize Fletcher’s UFA deals or trade-deadline deals because he hasn’t gotten there yet.
I was one of Smug’s biggest detractors.
Fletcher has not completed a ‘major’ deal, but did have success on draft day because he wanted to acquire more draft picks to add depth.
Only one deal was made…a ridiculous price paid (IMHO) for Pronger.
Smug had 9 years of ‘being in the mix’…Fletcher 30 days. If the Wild roster looks the same in September as it does now, I will voice my displeasure. However, it’s not a ‘double standard’, it’s a lack of time on the job to give rational feedback.
HD: Thanks. Now I feel dumb. Can I blame it on a MKiA persona?
In a bit of research, Oil fans seem pretty hacked about Brodziak (nickname for this guy?) being traded.
Seems they dislike their Pouliot as well (Marc-Andre).
Gun - you’re not the only one who has made such points, so I didn’t mean to direct that at you alone. And, in fairness, I also think (as kj suggests) that it’s fair to allow Fletch a honeymoon period - he is after all largely playing the hand he’s been dealt. So, I acknowledge it’s not completely apples to apples, but I still find it ironic.
Does ‘hacked’ mean unhappy?
And how about brodz for a short name? Seems acceptable until we know more about him.
Dump Johnsson and his 5 million contract
One of my favorite statements is something like this, as if it’s only one team’s decision to move a big contract like that. Who would take Johnsson’s contract right now?
Yes, hacked=unhappy
Brodz, Brody?
B-dawg?
I was thinking Brodz as well.
“Fletcher went out and got the Wild some Brodz!”
Is there a Pouliot in the NHL that anyone likes? We’re sure, they’re not related or something?
B-b-b-Benny: L-l-l-lazy…
Marc-Andre: Doesn’t produce what Grease fans want to see…
KiPA, any chance the Pens would be interested in a Johnnson for Malkin trade? You’d be sending salary our way.
Brodwurzt?
Mike says:
June 29th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
NiNY - So you think Brodziak was a good decision??? All I’m saying is Fritsche IMO is the better choice. Why bring in Brodziak when you have Fritsche already? He’s half the money sure, but half the player too. Fritsche was probably 2nd or 3rd fastest on the team…he’s young, got time to develop. Poor choice on the Wilds part. Dump Johnsson and his 5 million contract and they’d have money to work with…
Easier said then done with Johnsson, if they could they would. As far as Fritsche he played well but he’s not a great player Brodziak is half the price, plays the same position and we could use that money for a FA.
Sounds good, Goody!
Brodz, Brody?
i called him brodzie earlier cause i don’t know how to spell his name.
Call him Brozak… or Brodasaurus Rex, Brozie, Brozanex, Brotacular… really anything with Bro before it works for me.
Brodwurzt?
Works for me!
I guess my point is why bring in Brodziak in the first place? Olvecky, Gillies, Pouliot would be just as good if their not going to retain Fritsche.
From the Edmonton Journal:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Sports/Oilers+pick+Anton+Lander+trade+Brodziak/1740162/story.html
Brodziak made $497,500 last season and had arbitration rights. What he didn’t have was the kind of grit former coach Craig MacTavish wanted from him on a consistent basis, and as a consequence, found himself being singled out on more than one occasion last season.
How about just Bro? I only bring it up because it’s a pain to type.
“I’m sure if we picked up crosby u guys could find something wrong with it… brodziak is good for faceoffs, but he plays soft minutes. I dont think replacing Brodz is our problem, we need some scoring upfront”
Comment in the article Mike posted. Looks like they call him Brodz too!
Brodz seem like the easiest… although I am partial to Brosef, or Rosie Bro-donnell.
He’s half the money sure, but half the player too.
boy…I’m not sure you can quantify that.
The point is, we were not going to win or lose the Stanley Cup based on whether or not Dan Fritsche is on the lineup.
Heatley or Vinny
Heatley at $7.5 million cap hit for 5 more years
or
Vinny at $7.7 million cap hit for 11 more years.
Based on numbers-wise, I will take Heatley even if its a bigger risk.
Bro
BORING!
I like Zickles.
I’ll never remember that, Kevin.
I’m all about simplicity. Brodz will do fine.
How about just Bro?
MANSIERE!
I like Zickles.
Zeke.
Brodzy-ackely-dackely-doo.
Wallshot FTW. Man, that’s two winning one-word posts today! You get a gold star!
How about Ludwig Von Bro-toven?
Zickles could easily be confused for Zidlicky.
Ooh, good point, Jonsey.
What about Zackles?
As long as he doesn’y play defense like Zidlicky, Jonsey, the Wild will be OK.
WS = +1,000
MANSIERE!
LOL!
I’ve been thinking about Hockeydad’s double-standard point, and I am 100% guilty of it. I’ve been rationalizing it by thinking that I’m more willing to believe Fletch when he says he’s been active than DR, but any way I slice it, it’s still evidence of a double standard.
Interesting.
If he was an enforcer, we could try Brodzilla.
Zeke is pretty good, though.
That’s in the past, Nick. The bigger topic of discussion is Brodziak’s nickname.
Very interesting story about the Marian Gaborik situation in Vancouver, from Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun:
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/keys+Garage+Gaborik/1742266/story.html
roth, that was posted eariler.. definitely an interesting read though. I find it odd that they are so adament about the fact that they are definitely not going after him.
oh, I’m thinking about those too, KiPA…I just haven’t come up with anything even close to Mansiere!
Mansiere it is, I say. That can’t be topped and I love nicknames that are a couple degrees of separation from the real name itself.
Man, that’s two winning one-word posts today! You get a gold star!
They do tend to go over better than when I try to actually ‘add to the discussion.’
Don’t taze me, Brodziak!
p.s. You get an assist, ms. c - that was a nice setup. I hope your hockey skilz are as good.
NiNY - I have been thinking about it more and more, and the more I think about it, the less I think it is a double standard. The argument has been touched on slightly by kj and HD, but I think it needs to be expanded. With Smug - non-moves, or more appropriately, “claiming intent with no real intent” was fact. Doug threw himself under the bus this year with his “managing expectations” rant. In all reality we were conditioned by DR to believe we were “in the running” even when we really weren’t in the running.
With Fletcher, we don’t have that personal history. We have every reason to think we are really in contention for these big name players until proven otherwise. I guess you could call that a “honeymoon period”, but either way its a clean slate and I wouldn’t call that a double standard.
/ $0.02
p.s. You get an assist, ms. c - that was a nice setup. I hope your hockey skilz are as good.
Ha, you obviously don’t read my blog.
Busted.
It certainly is a clean slate, and that’s fine - I think Fletch is entitled. But it’s still interesting to me that folks have made this point about being happy to be in the running for these big deals without even an acknowledgement that, as far as we knew or was reported to us, the same was true for DR.
Gun: I suppose that’s how I was rationalizing it. But I can’t for certain say DR was not really in the running when he said he was.
Now, regardless, the proof is in the pudding - or lack thereof. So I suppose the one thing in our favor (of it not being a double standard) is that DR had 8 seasons of not delivering, while this is still Fletch’s first - and we’re not even to UFA yet.
Still, I have to admit I still think it appears a double standard.
NHL executive says: “Nobody” wants Heatley
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Nobody+wants+Heatley+exec/1743268/story.html
http://wild.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=432125
I am surprised Olvecky wasn’t qualified as well…
I don’t often read blogs outside of this one, but I’ve seen your comments about your incredible hockey abilities. I meant the comment as tongue-in-cheek.
Wow. Olveky didnt get an offer but Pouliot did?
I’m more surprised that Pouliot and Irmen received qualifying offers than those who didn’t. Olvecky somehow didn’t fit last season, and the ‘new era’ Wild will no longer wait for talent to develop.
Which surprises me even more about B-b-b-Benny and Irmen. Benny is lazy, and Irmen has this ‘rodent’ thing going against him…
That’s a shame about Olvecky. His salary must have gotten too high.
“Fletcher went out and got the Wild some Brodz!”
Brodz before hoes.
Re: the Fritche vs. Bro - it sounds like he pretty good at faceoffs (over 50%) and he played for Richards so there’s history. That and the fact that he’s half the price of Belanger Lite might sink Fritsches ship.
In fairness to Pouliot there was nothing lazy about his practice and play last season with the Aeros.
In fairness to Irmen he became a big time defensive forward. His work in the 2nd half of the season on the PK alone earned a qualifying offer.
Any more major deviations of names and you’re going to need a wiki for definitions so people can understand the blog.
Going back to the double standard comment, I don’t know about anyone else, but what I measured Smug with was his deals which left us short of draft picks and nothing in the pipeline for the future. Also promoting too many kids too early which seemed to work only half the time and stunt the development of top prospects (Benny, Shep).
Fletch has said all the right things, got us some good prospects in the draft, is going to work closely with the coach and is going to build from bottom up. Night and day from the old regime.
AiH: You’ve seen more of those two (Pouliot and Irmen) than I have, obviously. I just go by my own perception from up here in the North.
I think you’re right about Olvecky, his asking price (even at a 5 per cent increase) might have gone too high.
Pouliot and Irmen will give Houston help it needs, but not the Wild. (Might give them draft picks, however, given the right situation).
Brodz before hoes.
If we pick up Hossa, we can have both Brodz and Hoss!
food
Steve Eminger not qualified by FLA…I actually liked what I saw from him in TB…he was rushed by WAS.
Shouldn’t it be ‘foodz’?
“… is going to work closely with the coach…”
Which reminds me of the Draft. When the Wild came up at #16, Fletch walked over to the end of the table to CL and TR. They then had a conversation before Fletch came up. I assumed this was a “are you ok with this choice” moment in regards to Leddy vs Schreoder. I don’t think I ever saw that with DR/JL. Could be my imagination though.
Drinking the Kool-Aid hard today.
IMO I dont think Pouliot is worth receiving a qualifying offer. Regardless of the change in philosophy from Lemaire to Richards this guy has had more than enough chances to prove himself and done nothing. While I won’t go so far as to hoping he fails, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he doesn’t get it done again.
