Saku Koivu update; Gaborik conference call comments
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 – 2:30 PMBy Michael Russo
Good afternoon. I know you all are anxious, but right now, the Wild is continuing to try to sign Saku Koivu.
I hear from sources that the hang-up could be term, and Saku Koivu’s desire for a fourth year. But this isn’t coming from his side or the Wild; it’s coming from another team who originally inquired about Koivu, so I should make clear to you that as of now, I haven’t reported it out to 100 percent certainty.
But this is the scuttlebutt out there right now.
One team that does make sense for Koivu is Anaheim because of his very close friendship with Teemu Selanne. But here’s the thing there: Selanne’s essentially on year-to-year contracts, so Koivu going there just for him makes little sense because Selanne could retire in a year or two. But the Ducks definitely need a No. 2 center and there’s not a lot left other than Mike Comrie, Jason Williams , Radek Bonk and Chad LaRose (and those are pushing the No. 2 center role).
I can tell you this via sources: Chuck Fletcher did call Mikko Koivu yesterday to ask his thoughts about playing with Saku, and Mikko gave Chuck the A-OK to pursue his brother. If you read my story in yesterday’s paper, you can see some of Mikko’s quotes to me from Tuesday. Just a late add, in that story, you can see Mikko say we’ll know more by the end of the week. Mikko said his brother would really take his time with his family to determine the best fit. Saku’s a smart guy, so it’s not a shock that he’s taking time to also think this through.
So we will see as the day continues. Wild is definitely still kicking tires on Ruslan Fedotenko, I’m told.
I’ve got a lot more thoughts on where the Wild plans to go from here, but before I throw that out there, let’s see how the day continues because a lot really depends on if they can sign Koivu. If they can’t, do you sign one of those other centers or do you maybe just go into camp and try Bouchard or Pouliot or Sheppard at the No. 2 spot or maybe there’s a potential trade down the pike this offseason?
Also, I got on the tail end of the Marian Gaborik conference call with the Rangers writers. Here are some snippets (Glen Sather sent one his European scouts to Gaborik’s home in Slovakia with a recruiting video, which helped greatly):
Turning point in career? “Of course. I’ve only experienced playing in the NHL for one team, and it was for nine years in Minnesota. I had a great time there. Obviously this is a big change and a big opportunity. Life brings a lot of changes, and this is one of them. It’s starting to hit me now that I’m becoming a Ranger. It’s very exciting and I’m looking forward to this. Definitely, the page has turned yesterday and I’m starting a new hockey life pretty much.”
On whether the Wild could have kept him? “Well obviously they could, but I haven’t received any offers in their new era there, so that’s the way it is.”
Will it be difficult to conceive that you won’t be here anymore? “It is what it is. I’ve moved on and now I’m a Ranger. I had a lot of great times. There are a lot of great memories. I have to thank the fans, from the coaching staff to all the players I played with. It was a great experience. Now I’m a Ranger. That’s what it is right now. I’m excited for a new opportunity.”
Did you do any investigations on what it was like to play in New York? “I’ve spoken to a lot of guys that played there. Chris Drury called me right before the market opened. I’ve talked to Martin Rucinsky, who used to play for the Rangers. I’ve talked to Marcel Hossa, and … Aaron Voros, obviously. They’ve got nothing but all the good things to say about New York. It’s a first-class organization and obviously to play in the Garden, everybody was impressed and everybody loved it. I’m looking forward to this. I’m excited.”
On health and whether teams were concerned about this? “It’s understandable some teams were concerned or worried, but I think I proven the last 11 games (10 goals, 8 assists), I had a pretty good run out there. We missed the playoffs by I think one or two points and that’s the way it goes. It was the first time for me to hit free agency. It was kind of adrenaline pumping through my veins, so it was exciting. I’m glad it’s behind me and I’m glad I’m with the Rangers now.”
On five-goal game and whether he’s spoken to Lundqvist? “(laughs) I haven’t spoken to him, but I’m sure we’re going to talk soon. That night was just unbelievable. He’s a great goaltender, but I guess when you’re in the zone and everything you touch is in, that happens sometimes. Hopefully I can have that kind of game in a Rangers uniform.”
Lastly, Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s Rob Rossi emailed me and said Rob Scuderi has agreed to terms with the L.A. Kings. Wild, I was told this morning, backed out of this when it saw his term, salary demands and the fact it could get Greg Zanon at the quality $1.9 million price.
OK, I’ll be back later hopefully with some news.
170 Responses to "Saku Koivu update; Gaborik conference call comments"
Thanks for the lowdown, Don.
On whether the Wild could have kept him? “Well obviously they could, but I haven’t received any offers in their new era there, so that’s the way it is.”
Um, Russo, what’s up with this - no offers from Chucky? What is up with that!!
“We missed the playoffs by I think one or two points and that’s the way it goes.”
Typical Gho$t.
Very simple matt. ‘Chucky’ didn’t want him. Duh.
Saku, Saku, Saku…
Geez, I’m reloading Twitter/russostrib so often, the failwhale is sending me hate mail.
Can anybody explain the “no-move” clause Russo mentioned was in Havlat’s contract? It looks like he means something different from “no-trade” but I don’t get it.
He wasn’t gonna sign here anyway, unless he was way overpaid. People will get mad about that no offer line, but it really doesnt matter because the type of offer it wouldve taken to keep him isnt one we want on our cap
Ducky fans are bragging that they are getting Koivu. I hope not!
Thanks Russo for the info as you know it.
4 years of 3/2/2/1 sounds not bad to me.
Can anybody explain the “no-move” clause Russo mentioned was in Havlat’s contract? It looks like he means something different from “no-trade” but I don’t get it.
A no-movement clause means he can’t be sent to the minors or traded.
Um, Russo, what’s up with this - no offers from Chucky?
Correct me if what I recall from previous days is correct: Because CF knew that Gaby was going to UFA no matter what he did not make an offer to help set the market. Although I only caught bits, seemed like Russo told PA yesterday that Gaby so hated Smug and TooL that he was set on leaving regardless of the changes the Wild made. Since not getting an offer from the Wild sent $alcer into a rage I say good move 
kcmarshall, A no-trade clause requires a player’s consent before a trade involving that player is made. If a player has a no-movement clause, the player cannot be traded, waived, or sent down to the minors without that player’s approval. In both cases, however, a player is not protected from being bought out by the player’s current team.
Too bad on Scuds, but I didn’t really think we’d be getting him anymore anyway. Our top 4 is looking good as it is and a smaller D signing should do find for us.
Something doesn’t quite pass the smell test with Gaby saying the Wild didn’t give him an offer.
If Zanon is being looked at as a 6th defenseman, $1.9 million/yr is hardly a quality price.
Agree with Kelser. I think gabby was overpaid by NYR. He has not proven himself to be a top 3 or even top 5 league-wide player. Then again there are a lot of overpaid, underproducing players out there. (Campbell)
Well wasnt there talk that Salcer set the bidding price at 10 years 75mil? No point in making an offer if that is the opening bid.
I think Zanon will play his way into the top 4… I could see
Burns-Schultz
Zidlicky-Zanon
Johnson- still need somone
That gives you a solid stay at home d-man and an offensive threat on each of the first two pairings. PLus, Zidlicky and Zanon are familiar from Nashville
Bummer on Scuds, anyone got the contract details on him?? Here’s hoping we get Koivu and or Fedo. Both would be great but one is a MUST!
Thanks for update Russo!, the waiting game continues.
too bad on scuderi.
are the wild still going to try to get another dman?
skoula is still available
Pouliot,Bouchard, and Sheppard would make a great line.
FOR ME TO POOP ON.
Four years, $13.6M for Scuderi, $3.4M annually…vastly overpaid. But great for him. Hard to turn that down.
Thanks, Missile. Cup doesn’t happen without you.
Rob Scuderi believed to be 4 years, $3.4 million per
What are the odds Koivu decides to stay with Montreal? My gut tells me he is not going to leave, which would really suck.
If your are NYR would you rather have Heatley or Gaborik? NYR state that once they felt they couldnt get him the moved to Gabby. Would Murray entertain a deal moving Gabby to OTT for Heatley? Cap hit would be in the same ballpark.
I dont know how much more money montreal has, they have signed kovalev today.
What are the odds Koivu decides to stay with Montreal?
Almost zero. They traded for Gomez to play his position.
I dont think so Jerry. Montreal has really cleaned house at forward, getting rid of guys like Koivu and Lang and bringing in Gionta,Gomez and Cammalleri. Plus they resigned Kovalev. They seem to want to go in another direction. And those are big contracts, they can’t have any money left
If your are NYR would you rather have Heatley or Gaborik?
Heatley but if GMs start trading UFAs right after they sign them the trend towards all forms of movement clauses is going to get worse for GMs.
I dunno. I actually find Gaby less dooshy than Heater.
Okay, I am on my way to Mexico! NiNY, Ms. C, or Lemmiwinks: Please text me if the Wild signs anyone else!! Especially if there’s news on the Koivu front! Thanks! See you all on Tuesday.
I actually find Gaby less dooshy than Heater.
Was that before or after his public trade demand/subsequent-refusal-to-waive-his-NTC?
@ecklund recently reported on Twitter to not be surprised if one or more habs who were thought to be leaving return to Montreal.
I dunno. I actually find Gaby less dooshy than Heater.
In a race for last, nobody wins
Wonder what the price tag was for former Flames D Adrian Aucoin? Now that he signed with the ‘Yotes. I would have liked to have seen the Wild make a push for him over Scuderi. A few big, nasty blue liners on the market still that the Wild need to make a push for.
Kesler — did you not watch any of the games last year?
Johnsson will definitely not be your #5 d-men. He will be your top pairing D-men.
The top 4 can be interchanged:
Johnsson-Schultz
Burns-Zanon
Zids
Scott
Leopold’s 08/09 Cap number was 1.5 million.
We also have already concluded that 97% of what ecklund reports is false.
Zids was kind of scary out on the ice. Pair him up with MAB and it was almost guaranteed a goal against.
We also have already concluded that 97% of what ecklund reports is false.
I’ll take the over.
Even last year, Zids wasn’t even considered a top 4 defensemen on the team.
Zids is a PP specialist and limited 5×5 guy.
Plan B?
skoula is still out there
After, natch, Kevin.
Heater wasn’t even on my radar before because he was in Ottawa, where I often forget they have a team.
We also have already concluded that 97% of what ecklund reports is false.
The other 3% he steals from the Don.
same top four sunshine except you have kim and i have zidlicky. thats fine. id not be suprised if one of them is gone by september anywa
Any chance the Wild go after Robert Lang or Mats Sundin as a #2 center if Koivu does not sign? What about Mathieu Schneider as veteran Defenseman who would be good on the Powerplay? There are a lot of veterans that are available that may be able to be signed at low level contracts. Also, Joe Sakic may be available as Colorado has no real salary cap room if he decides to play again this year.
Kovalev is NOT signed. It was a mistake. He is available still.
Still waiting on S. Koivu………. Come on already!
I dont look for a decision today, it is like midnight where Saku is he must be sleeping on it again.
If it’s true that the Wild didn’t even attempt to offer Gaby something then someone around here is a big fat liar. It’s either Fletcher, Gaby or Santa Claus, because yesterday on the radio am1500 they specifically said we offered Gaby 6 million a year to stay and he choose NY.
Any chance the Wild go after Robert Lang or Mats Sundin
Sundin will pretty much play for either a Canadian or Original 6 team, me thinks.
Isn’t Lang older than dirt?
why not Comrie, or sign Tanguay and move someone to center?
Ty, can we please get a player that wasn’t born in the 1970’s on our roster? Sheesh.
We also have already concluded that 97% of what eklund reports is false.
And he was right about…oh wait…nevermind, that was Andy Strickland.
I dunno. I actually find Gaby less dooshy than Heater.
I agree but unless I have a PhD in groinology Heately seems safer and better for the playoffs.
Zids was suppose to be a Top 4 guy which relegated Skoula to being #5.
However, that didn’t happen. When you can’t even supplant Skoula as the #4 defensemen, there is a problem. Zids is and will always be a PP specialist and should receive limited 5 on 5 play. That’s how it was.
Uptempo play regardless, Zids was not great defensively. Every time Zids and MAB were on the ice together and not on the PP, it almost guaranteed a goal against.
Anyone know what’s going on with Kessel?
Kurtis Foster is also still available and would seem like a decent 6th d-man, no?
Lang’s 39 in December. Nolan’s 37.
Lang had 39 points in 50 games last year. Might be worth a small one-year contract.
Zids was suppose to be a Top 4 guy which would have Skoula be #5.
However, that didn’t happen. When you can’t even supplant Skoula to be the #4 defensemen, there is a problem.
Uptempo play regardless, Zids was not great defensively. Every time Zids and MAB were on the ice together and not on the PP, it almost guaranteed a goal against.
Have we concluded that Harding is not going anywhere, shame i thought we could have got some good pieces for him.
Isnt Robert Lang working on producing a new Def Leppard album?
sunshine @3:01: agreed. Heck, even the Don mentioned that during a radio gig.
I think Harding’s value will rise during the season when a team’s #1 goalie goes down. We will not get much for him now with Biron and others still on the market.
Kurtis Foster is also still available and would seem like a decent 6th d-man, no?
+1
Resign Foster!
Okay, I am really leaving now. Adios Russoville!
So it’s not tampering to have scouts, and players recruit a free agent before free agency opens?
ATXwf: Why not just hang around and speculate like the rest of us? 
Give Saku the term. I like the idea of re-signing Foster; he has shown Wild fans he is determined to play at an NHL level (unlike Skou-er, others who used to be on the Wild roster…)
Isnt Robert Lang working on producing a new Def Leppard album?
No, that is Robert Plant.
Robert Lang is married to Shania Twain.
Zids was kind of scary out on the ice. Pair him up with MAB and it was almost guaranteed a goal against.
Right, because they are both only offensive minded d-men. So I think that putting him with Zanon, a stay at home, fundamentally sound d-man, will allow him to play offensively but give the Wild that safety net of not getting burned.
Is Beauchemin still available? If so, i think he’s the best on the board. If not, who knows?
I think its time to move on from Koivu, if its this hard to decide he doesnt want to play for Wild that much.
And offensive d-men is what Chuck and Todd want to utilize. So that pairing would seem to fit right into their scheme
Beauchemin is looking for upwards of $4.5M/year. Good luck, Francois…
I was hearing Beauchemin supposedly wants $4.5M per year. Not sure if that came down at all.
WRT, we know you hate Skoula. We will not sign him but he would be a good one to re-sign despite your blind hatred. Just not sure about Foster. Lots of players want to play at an NHL-level–they just can’t–still not sure where Foster belongs. Booming shot–but rarely on net–good guy. To me, you would keep him or Scott as #7 and sign some other not terribly expensive but defensively responsible D as #6.
11;25pm in Turku. Though they do have long days in the summer.
I dont look for a decision today, it is like midnight where Saku is he must be sleeping on it again.
False, only 10 p.m. He hasn’t even eaten dinner yet.
GreenStar says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Plan B?
skoula is still out there
Blasphemer!!
Trade Harding and Belanger to ST.L for Backes and Colaiacovo…and sign Fedotenko
Not sure if anyone’s posted this already, but TSN just reported on their web site that Scuderi is getting 4 years and $13.6m from the Kings! Makes the Zanon signing look awfully good, if you ask me. Very similar players (in fact, I’m guessing that if Zanon had played for the Pens and Scuderi for the preds, their national profiles might just be reversed,) by the numbers, anyway…
Trade Harding and Belanger to ST.L for Backes and Colaiacovo…and sign Fedotenko
Sorry, Bob Gainey is in Montreal.
wood: I wish it was ‘blind hatred’ of Skoula, but I saw all too much of it. So did you, and all other Wild fans. I said I was done with him yesterday, and I am. There are better out there who could handle a #5/6 pairing defense at the same (or, cheaper) price.
Foster would at least take the man out once in a while, unlike others who wimped out when a body was needed to protect a goalie, move the puck, throw a check, etc.
in fact, I’m guessing that if Zanon had played for the Pens and Scuderi for the preds, their national profiles might just be reversed
+1
I wanted Zanon to replace Scuderi, but Zanon signed first.
From Russo: Josh Harding asked me to put kibosh to Internet/TV rumor: Harding has not demanded trade and is fine if he remains Backstrom’s backup
Hadn’t heard about that
Tweet From Russo: Josh Harding asked me to put kibosh to Internet/TV rumor: Harding has not demanded trade and is fine if he remains Backstrom’s backu
Skoula wont sign here. He will hold out to see where JL goes. He gotta get some love.
Russostrib: Josh Harding asked me to put kibosh to Internet/TV rumor: Harding has not demanded trade and is fine if he remains Backstrom’s backup#nhl
KJ- Mutt Lang WAS married to Shania Twain. He cheated on her and they divorced.
“We missed the playoffs by I think one or two points and that’s the way it goes.”…Because I had elective surgery that could have waited for the off season but may have hurt my market value if I kept playing…that’s the way it goes…Don’t let the door hit you in the @$$ on the way out the door.
Aw, WRT I guess I don’t want to engage again on this except to say you were wrong on his play this past season, even what you cite in your response. SotB said it well before but since we aren’t going to sign him I suppose we should drop it. And, we have disagreed on this too often in the past. Let’s see who we do sign, and I hope Marty goes someplace where the fans can appreciate him.
I wish Gaborik the best. It will be interesting to see his reaction the first time the MSG fans turn on him. They booed Gretzky when I was there in 1998…so they don’t have any sacred cows… (Potvin Sucks!)
SAWF…you’re new around these parts, aren’t you???
I do know it was Mutt Lang. Robert, Robert…Lang, Lang. It was a joke, get it?
Contrary to reports, Skoula does in fact still suck. The expectation was just so low for him that he didn’t have to do much to look “decent”. Stay away!
Tripper ain’t trippin’.
WRT, I would just say about Foster that he gets beat too often for my taste–maybe he will come back strong this year but I still think I would have him as a #7 at the start of the season. Hill took men out also–but then was out of position. There is more to D than that and remember they do call interference these days in front of the net with great regularity–except on Pronger.
hey my HOPE for the late afternoon is if MT (am1500) can snare a few minutes of Michael’s time. The twitter stuff is great.
Thanks, Toivo. I needed that. 
wood: Yeah, there should be a Pronger chapter in the NHL Rulebook, as he seems to get away with breaking every one sooner or later and never gets called on the carpet for it.
I hope I’m watching MSG network the first time Gaby costs the Rags a game. They’ll be grabbing for their beers to use as weapons, for sure. Garden fans are a breed apart.
From human…
Yeah, there should be a Pronger chapter in the NHL Rulebook, as he seems to get away with breaking every one sooner or later and never gets called on the carpet for it.
He will now. The Flyers get called for absolutely everything and then some, because of their longstanding reputation as a goon squad. I’m betting Pronger’s PIMs skyrocket next season. (And I grew up a Flyers fan…)
How does this playing the East teams rotation work? When is the next time we will play the Rangers at the X? Hopefully within 5 years
Kelser, the teams will meet this year, but I can’t remember if it’s at home or away. They changed the schedule from the horribly balanced division-heavy schedule to one that you’ll at least get to see at home each team every two years.
Josh Harding is a class act. I’m happy to see that it appears he is sticking around for now.
Kelser - Rangers should be here next year - Gaby’s 5 was 2 seasons ago and the Wild were at MSG last year.
Two out of every 3 years each team should play in each NHL city. Each team in the West will play each team in the East at least once, and three teams play home-and-home (i.e., twice) against each other. 18 games per team vs. the other conference.
Wow what a slow day, not much going on.
That will be a hard ticket to come by. I’ll love to see the fans reaction to him
Question. Did anyone else notice that Drury called him right before the market opened?? Wouldn’t that be a case for tampering? Just wondering.
FFS: Not so fast. The schedule will be announced in 13 days (July 15th, the ‘deadest day in sports’)…
When the Rangers were here two seasons ago, the old schedule format was in effect. We may not see the Rags again here in Minnesota ’til next season.
BTW: that famous (or, infamous) MSG ice surface (it’s really bad); what will THAT do to the $7.5M groin?
That will be a hard ticket to come by. I’ll love to see the fans reaction to him
The chances of Groinerik being uninjured are not that high. In fact, it will probably be a several game road trip for the Rangers and he’ll miss the entire trip. You know, part of his annual sabbatical…
I’m surprised that there have not been more signings today.
Sounds like the Wild will have 2 solid lines what are lines 3 and 4 going to look like - thoughts?
It would be awesome if they could pull together 3 strong lines.
I think the tampering would depend on if there was an offer extended. Probably would not be able to make a solid case. No if he bought a condo in NY with an F1 simulator installed…
Scuderi to the Kings. 4 year, $13.6 M
I’m not trying to be a complete d!ck about this but I think when Kurtis Foster had his horrible injury in March of 2008 people developed amnesia and forgot that he was a below average defenseman. I understand he went through hell with that injury and fought hard to make a comeback but I would rather we move on.
The guy has a blistering shot… that hardly ever hit the net and more often just hit his teammates. The guy has a good size to him but hardly ever plays the body (once in a blue moon he would throw a shoulder). Also he was not very reliable 5 on 5.
That’s just my two cents.
I sure am glad we got Havlat, but I hate to say it we really havent improved at all, Havlat for Gaborik is a wash.
ryguy- good point. he’ll probably be in Veil, Colorado rehabing with a world renowned orthpodeic surgeon after his latest unnessacary surgery.
Thanks for the info WRT - I should have known in the NHL nothing is simple
FFS: No kidding…not in Bettman’s world.
Wildfan, if you look at last year though, we really didnt have Gabby. So if( and that might be a big if) Havlat stays mostly healthy, we’re getting a great addition to a team that missed the playoffs by a game. And Chuck is not done
your probably right, think just starting to get annoyed at the lack of news, or action with Koivu or anybody else for that matter.
is kurtis foster still with us?
Foster became a free agent yesterday
Russo updated his blog to say this:
“Just a late add, in that story, you can see Mikko say we’ll know more by the end of the week. Mikko said his brother would really take his time with his family to determine the best fit. Saku’s a smart guy, so it’s not a shock that he’s taking time to also think this through”
woodcock says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Aw, WRT I guess I don’t want to engage again on this except to say you were wrong on his play this past season, even what you cite in your response. SotB said it well before but since we aren’t going to sign him I suppose we should drop it. And, we have disagreed on this too often in the past. Let’s see who we do sign, and I hope Marty goes someplace where the fans can appreciate him.
Yeah like the KHL!
A Ranger reporter said that Drury called after the open of market and the scout didn’t appear until after noon EST.
“Gaborik said he got a call from Rangers captain Chris Drury immediately after the market opened at noon on Wednesday.”
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/blog/2009/07/marian_gaborik_it_was_rangers.html
Russostrib: Chuck Fletcher: “Negotiations ongoing with Saku” #nhl
Since all the big names are gone, the 2nd tier players can take longer to decide because the offering of contracts just slowed considerably.
friedmanhnic: Chuck Fletcher: “Negotiations ongoing on Saku Koivu…but I’m not sure where it will go.” He thinks 10-15 teams are interested.
Its time for Wild to tell Saku to make up his mind. Kovalev,Feds and Tanguay are not going to be out there forever; in fact i might be tempted to move on right now.
Lucky, you are on the money. That is the point I was making on Foster.
“I hope Marty goes someplace where the fans can appreciate him.”
“Yeah like the KHL!”
No, some place where people might have an open mind–which is not here.
Kesler — don’t forget that we had Lemaire. We won several games because of him.
Without Lemaire, will the team be the same this year? I can only see Columbus falling out of playoff contention
—I wish it was ‘blind hatred’ of Skoula, but I saw all too much of it.—
You must sit in the last row at the X. I don’t deny your right to dislike FrankenSkoula. It says more about you than him. But when you start promoting Foster over Skoula, somebody has to stand up and shout “MKIA On Board!!” Jebus Trip. Give it a rest. You’re starting to sound like you came in on the troll bus. I had come to expect a little more quality.
More time??? He needs more time???? Are you kidding me? I’ve had it with these wishy-washy Europeans…C’mon Saku, the writing has been on the wall for weeks now and you still can’t make up your mind???? As Archie Bunker said to Edith when she was going through menopause, “COME ON, I’M GIVING YOU 30 SECONDS!!!” You’ve got 30 seconds Saku or we’re moving on…The world isn’t going to wait for you.
sunshine, way too early to speculate. We don’t know how all the teams will line up, who will get injured, what goalies we thought were good actually turn out to be sieves, what players take a leap forward, etc., what cap trades might happen. But I do think JL was definitely worth a few victories at least.
Woodcock -
You keep saying people on here have blind hatred for Skoula and are close minded, but I think thats backwards. The love you guys have for Skoula is like the love JL had for Skoula and the love Ron Gardenhire has for Nick Punto. The love for those two is completely unjustified.
Why are we ripping Skoula, we have not resigned him? Get over it.
Ya, I agree. Saku has made his money, why not finish your career playing with little bro in the state of hockey. Its not that hard
By the way, welcome back SotB. Tar Tar, you are flat wrong. I have said what I think of Skoula–not an all-star, not an offensive D but a solid #4 guy who blocked a lot of shots, used his body to take the puck away in the corner and moved the puck out of the zone. He was not a scoring threat but a solid, perfectly responsible D who is a solid 4 or 5. That’s not love that is just seeing the player for what he is, not like so many at the X who scream at him every time he touches the puck. And remember all D get beat sometimes.
Here is our current D-Corps:
Yanni - UFA
Burns - Schultz
Zidlicky - Zanon
Scott (needs to work on skating/passing skills)
10-15 teams interested, and that number will only increase as the last few decent forwards and centermen go off the board. The window for getting him here might be closing
From the Gaby article
—Rangers fans hope he has just a bit more success than Voros, who spent the latter half of last season watching from the press box.—
Do ya think!
And Tar Tar, the fact the we don’t hate Skoula doesn’t mean that we love him.
It’s more that you guys base your opinions on soundbites and video clips and refuse to look at the total picture using critical thinking skills. So have at it.
Anybody else concerned that Salcer is Burnsies agent too? That plus the concussions maybe cause to consider moving him; possibly going after a Heatley or Nash. Just a thought.
Saku Koivu may not be offered a contract after this one (due to age), so you really can’t blame the guy if he’s trying to get as much job security as possible.
I agree: Stop ripping Skoula on here, folks. Let three years of being one of the NHL’s worst defensemen statistically speak for itself.
He’s gone. Celebrate that.
It just seems to happen to him so frequently. Before you said he was a solid 2nd pair d and now he is a solid 2nd or 3rd d. Even in the offseason he is slipping. He is definitely in the top 6 d men from last year for us. We will have to agree to disagree. And for the record I don’t hate Skoula, I’m sure he is a fantastic guy, never met him, but I as a season ticket holder am paying him to do a job and am not happy with his performance, we can pay a lot of other d men a lot less to get beat once in a while!
Mikko stated that Saku may take to the end of the week. If he told this to the Don than you know Chuck is aware. I am sure Chuck has a timeframe he is comfortable with and once it goes beyond that we will here about another signing. It is obvious by the delay that Saku’s desire is to come here, he just needs to be 100% certain. At least it is not like Sundin, let me sit on the fence for 2/3 a year.
Hey Woodcock. Is that you in there. Open up and let’s get a look at you.
Geez. I loved that line and that movie.
“we can pay a lot of other d men a lot less to get beat once in a while!”
And they will.
Kjr good point never thought of that. We better lock him up before RFA or move him. I’m sure Salcer would love to screw us again.
Pretty easy to insist that someone other than yourself make a life-changing decision about their career immediately, so it suits your timetable eh? I know I’d want to take my time and make sure I was completely at peace with whatever decision I made. For that matter, it’s also really easy to rip Gaborik for having the surgery, but who among us can honestly say they wouldn’t have done the same? The doctors were telling him this would take care of it for good, and he had to choose between the prospect of long-term health and financial security, or playing through pain in order to abide by the wishes of a GM who he hated, and for what? To just make the playoffs by a few pts and be rewarded with a series against Detroit or San Jose, THEN have surgery and end up costing himself tens of millions of dollars in the one chance he has to really cash in? Yea, I know what I would’ve picked…
This will be great. Saku signs somewhere else and Mikko ends up taking fan flak.
I cant blame Salcer for ALL of the previous drama. I mean DR and Co. did go behind his back to meet with Gabby last year. From my understanding, meeting with an agents client without informing the agent is a no-no.
I think thats exactly the problem people have with the decision… it was all about himself. There are countless examples of athletes playing through pain because they put the good of the team above themselves. Even Bruno this last year, they say the man could barely walk on that knee yet he was out there busting his ass every night. Gabby didnt have that dedication, he was playing the game for his own self-interest, and that’s what bothers people.
i do not know if this is a big thing but someone should seek comment from either mikko or havlat about mikko pinning havlat’s neck between himself and his hockey stick in chicago. that was really surprising.
I agree that we are a little harder on Gaby than we ought to be but his aloofness and seeming disdain for MN didn’t help. I agree I would have made the same decision on his surgery if I were him. I do wonder about how we dealt with medical issues though. DR seemed to have a little bit of the old school–suck it up and play–mentality. If you are Nolan or Bruno maybe you do that because your career is almost over. Not if you are Gaby, Burns or PMB though.
Sunshine, go listen to the audio. He said “before.”
—but I as a season ticket holder—
I am not sure what this is supposed to mean in terms of opinion credibility.
Most everybody goes to school, but we sure don’t all end up equally intelligent.
“Most everybody goes to school, but we sure don’t all end up equally intelligent.”
Too bad about the queue for a Neil Diamond concert or that might have been POTD.
tjericks,
life-changing? deciding to have a vesectomy is life-changing. deciding whether or not to play hockey in minnesota for 4-5 years does not make-up a lifetime. the writing was on the wall for weeks in montreal that they were going to overhaul their team and that saku was not a part of that plan. he knew long before yesterday that he’d be faced with a decision like this. if it’s so life-changing, over a dozen other players were able to make such life-changing decisions yesterday.
Yea, some do, but I don’t get why fans expect loyalty from pro athletes all the time. Unless it’s something like Mauer who was born here, players have no connection to the team or area, aside from being drafted by the team, which is something they had no say in. Gaborik has no connection to Minnesota, and let’s face facts here, he was often made out to be the villain by Risebrough and fans. Bruno, yea, good point, but where was his dedication when he turned down less money to go to Colorado for the check? Bruno also wasn’t in a contract year this year. Gaborik DID try to play through this in December, and it’s clear that he wasn’t himself at all. Loyalty and dedication goes both ways, and he didn’t get a whole lot of it from previous management here - why should he have put himself out on a limb for them?
Russo:
I have been on the Rangers site looking for the audio. They aren’t quick like Falness.
That’s what was reported by a Rangers reporter. Take it up with him.
Russo:
I bet Fletch would love to hear that if he hasn’t already.
Russo; would the wild consider shopping Burnsie?
AZ,
He’s played his entire career in one city, was the face of that franchise, and was loved by the people there, a passion he returned to the city of Montreal. All of those things cannot be said about any of the other free agents you speak of that signed yesterday. Now he is faced with a very big change. I’m pretty sure you’d view getting a job offer in Montreal as life changing and would want to think about it a bit, right? No different here. Let him make sure he is doing what’s best for him. I can almost guarantee he will end up here, and there’s no reason to try to rush him.
food
You mean Fletch just called Koivu YESTERDAY to ask about his brother. Has he been golfing the past month. Fletch sure waits to the last minute. That might have been one of the first few calls I made. Not impressed at all with Fletcher thus far. Remember what happened to Risebrough and his procrastination.
I will almost guarantee he ends up with the Ducks. Let’s face it, the Ducks are a much better team and have a change to go far in the playoffs. The Wild are currently worse off that they were last playoffless year. Wild needed 3 big offensive guns with the loss of Gabby. Havlat is okay, but hardly a big gun. Right now the Wild have no 1st liner forwards with perhaps the exception of Mikko. I would not blame Saku for going with Teemu.
tjericks,
i’m not debating that this isn’t a big decision for saku..what i don’t see is that it’s life-changing. if in fact saku just started to think this through yesterday, then he’s a moron. if i saw the writing on the wall weeks ago, i would ask my wife, honey, where should we go? mn? chicago? toronto? detroit? and i would have started my due-diligence WEEKS ago. my frustration is that we were led to belive last night that there would be a decision this morning….now we’re told maybe by the end of the week…what will the story be tomorrow? maybe by the end of next week? This is about playing hockey for a few years - he’s probably not going to end up living in the US or Cananda after this career is over anyway - most of these guys retire back to their native countries. is it a big decision for him? yeah… can we wait 1-2 more days? yeah….but after that, move on if he can’t make up his mind.
I will miss Gaby the player, but not all the drama that follows him. I don’t fault him one bit for the handling of his injury and for taking the FA route to the highest exposure market in the world. He has a unique talent that is highly marketable. This is a business. Loyalty to fans and teams is a nice superficial sentiment that sells tix, but make hay while the sun shines. Because as soon as you can’t put the puck in the net, the fans and teams will drop you like a hot potato.
Appreciate all the work and effort Russo! MSG may be a tuff place to play… but this blog is no picnic either. All the ripping yesterday and Skola today! CF I beleive is doing a great job managing assets, and over time, years, that will pay huge dividends for the team of 18,000.
Wild needed 3 big offensive guns with the loss of Gabby. Havlat is okay, but hardly a big gun.
Rantzy - so by your account: 3 x Havlat = Gaby. And at roughly the same price.
Wow that didn’t work… 3 x Havlat is less than Gaby?
By mine, Havlat plus Saku is greater, at roughly the same price.
AZ,
Well yea, I’d prefer we not get into nitpicking over choice of words, haha. I don’t think the decision is about where he wants to play as much as it’s about the term of the deal. The likely hangup is in the length, as Saku has to know how much longer he wants to play and then determine how the terms of the deal the Wild are offering fits into that. If he wants four years, I say give it to him and frontload the deal, as he’s under 35 and in the latter years the Wild won’t be on the hook if he were to retire.
What amazes me is that Fletcher didn’t even offer Gabby a contract. And I bet Gaborik has more goals that Saku and Havlat combined.
