Friday morning check-in; July 12 development camp scrimmage open to public
Posted on July 3rd, 2009 – 11:47 AMBy Michael Russo
Real quick hello.
I’ll be heading to the Martin Havlat presser at the arena this early afternoon. It’ll be more of an informal meet-and-greet in the locker room mostly for the TV cameras, radio mikes and newspaper photogs because the print media’s already gotten him and the electronic media hasn’t been able to.
Nothing new right now on Saku Koivu or Ruslan Fedotenko.
As mentioned in the earlier post, Koivu to Minny not looking good right now. Quite frankly, I don’t think there’s anything more the Wild can do to sweeten the pot. As I wrote on the blog, I think, June 30 or July 1, the Wild was going to make an offer and if the Koivus wanted to make it happen, they could.
But as Mikko expressed in my story July 1, there are significant concerns there between the two brothers about playing together, and I think that is very, very real. This is Mikko’s team now, and these are two proud guys. If Saku isn’t the same player a year or two into the contract and he’s being taken to task, I think there is very real concern there how that would weigh on both of them.
And like Mikko alluded, as much as it would be a dream for them to play together this is likely Saku’s last contract. He’s looking for the best deal and best fit for his family — he’s got two young children.
So as of now, it’s not looking good. Maybe it changes, but from what I hear, the Wild’s not optimistic.
If the Wild can’t sign Koivu, it’ll likely look at the trade market or go into camp with the same centers. And quite frankly, that is the absolute correct move.
In a cap system, you can’t make mistakes and it makes zero sense to go out and sign one of the remaining centers to a long-term deal if he can’t fit the No. 2 role. That’s what the Wild needs. Dominic Moore, Manny Malhotra, Todd Marchant, these guys are real good centers. But they’re No. 3’s. The Wild already has James Sheppard, Eric Belanger and Kyle Brodziak. Those guys can handle the No. 3 and 4 roles as well as any of the guys available.
And yes, Sheppard or P-M Bouchard or even Benoit Pouliot could very well wind up at the No. 2 spot. Fletcher will undoubtedly try to acquire a No. 2 center, but this might very well have to be the solution because there’s few other options. It is not easy to acquire centers in the NHL. Look at last summer, the Wild tried for centers and just like this year, it was an awful free-agent class. It missed out on the couple available, and let’s be honest, one was Brendan Morrison and the team lucked out he chose Anaheim.
Just like last year’s class, there were only two centers even worth going after — Koivu and Nik Antropov (and that pains me to say because as I mentioned the other day, I’m not a big Antropov guy).
To me, you only sign a Mike Comrie or Jason Williams later in the summer if you can get them as bargains or you can’t make a trade. Waiting sometimes is the right move.
Same thing for wingers. There is no use overspending on a winger now when maybe you can get somebody in a trade or there’s a better free-agent crop next summer.
The Wild cannot give out bad contracts, not when you have to ensure you’ll have the money to re-sign Mikko Koivu and Brent Burns — relatively — soon.
The Wild has targeted a few guys, but if it misses, it’ll wait. It did tender an offer to Ruslan Fedotenko, and he’s expected to make a decision today. A number of teams are interested.
Lastly, the Wild starts its development camp Tuesday. Below is the roster. On Sunday, July 12, if you want a hockey fix, the prospects will be scrimmaging at the X from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Gate 1 at the X opens at noon.
54 Cody Almond 6-2 200 Left 7/24/89 Calgary, Alberta Kelowna WHL 70 33 33 66 105 EN/07
68 Eero Elo 6-3 189 Right 4/26/90 Rauma, Finland Lukko Rauma Fin. Jr. 3 0 0 0 0 EN/08
47 Alexander Fallstrom6-2 195 Right 9/15/90 Gothenburg, Sweden Shattuck St. Mary’s H.S. 52 40 47 87 52 EN/09
56 Kristopher Foucault6-1 202 Left 12/12/90 Calgary, Alberta Kootenay/Calgary WHL 26 9 8 17 16 EN/08
18 Colton Gillies 6-4 196 Left 2/12/89 Surrey, British Columbia Minnesota NHL 45 2 5 7 18 EN/07
49 Anthony Hamburg 6-1 185 Right 8/30/91 Houston, Texas Dallas Stars AAA H.S. 70 29 70 99 76 EN/09
60 Erik Haula 6-0 170 Left 3/23/91 Pori, Finland Shattuck St. Mary’s H.S. 53 26 58 84 46 EN/09
51 Chris Hickey 6-3 185 Right 9/2/88 St. Paul, Minnesota Wisconsin WCHA 8 1 0 1 4 EN/06
23 Petr Kalus 6-1 201 Left 6/29/87 Ostrava, Czechoslovakia Balashikha KHL 17 0 2 2 106 TRD/07
57 Matt Kassian 6-4 247 Left 10/28/86 Edmonton, Alberta Houston AHL 56 1 2 3 130 EN/05
53 Brian Kaufman 6-4 205 Left 2/25/84 Shoreview, Minnesota Miami University CCHA 41 10 12 22 12 FA/09
63 Morten Madsen 6-2 191 Left 1/16/87 Rodovre, Denmark Houston AHL 56 6 16 22 33 EN/05
65 Carson McMillan 6-2 200 Right 9/10/88 Brandon, Manitoba Calgary WHL 68 31 41 72 93 EN/07
72 Jarod Palmer 6-0 200 Right 2/10/86 Fridley, Minnesota Miami University CCHA 41 8 19 27 34 INVITEE
58 Jere Sallinen 6-0 183 Left 10/26/90 Espoo, Finland Blues Espoo Fin. Jr. 9 1 2 3 31 EN/09
# DEFENSEMEN HT WT SHOOTS BORN BIRTHPLACE 2008-09 TEAM LGE GP G A PTS PIM ACQ
61 Tyler Cuma 6-1 189 Left 1/19/90 Toronto, Ontario Ottawa OHL 21 1 8 9 27 EN/08
73 Justin Falk 6-5 213 Left 10/11/88 Snowflake, Manitoba Houston AHL 65 0 3 3 44 EN/07
71 Harri Ilvonen 6-2 187 Left 11/3/88 Helsinki, Finland LeKi Lempaala Finland 21 4 3 7 8 EN/07
48 Nick Leddy 5-11½ 185 Left 3/20/91 Edina, Minnesota Eden Prairie H.S. 31 12 33 45 26 EN/09
52 Sean Lorenz 6-1 198 Right 3/10/90 Littleton, Colorado Notre Dame CCHA 39 0 3 3 18 EN/08
59 Kyle Medvec 6-6 205 Left 6/16/88 Westminster, Colorado Vermont HE 36 2 10 12 40 EN/06
74 Maxim Noreau 5-11 192 Right 5/14/87 Montreal, Quebec Houston AHL 77 14 25 39 49 FA/08
64 Marco Scandella 6-3 206 Left 2/23/90 Montreal, Quebec Val d’Or QMJHL 58 10 27 37 64 EN/08
62 J.P. Testwuide 6-0 210 Left 11/5/84 Vail, Colorado Denver University WCHA 36 3 10 13 110 INVITEE
# GOALTENDERS HT WT CATCHES BORN BIRTHPLACE 2008-09 TEAM LGE GPI W-L-OT SO GAA SV% ACQ
50 Matthew Hackett 6-2 170 Left 3/7/90 London, Ontario Plymouth OHL 55 34-15-3 2 3.04 .913 EN/09
70 Darcy Kuemper 6-4 195 Left 5/5/90 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Red Deer WHL 55 21-25-8 3 2.96 .898 EN/09
56 Responses to "Friday morning check-in; July 12 development camp scrimmage open to public"
“And like Mikko alluded, as much as it would be a dream for them to play together this is likely Saku’s last contract. He’s looking for the best deal and best fit for his family — he’s got two young children.”
Bullcrap. He’s made millions. I love how thes clowns who have made millions over their careers state “I have to think about my family.” He makes more in one year than I do in a life time.
Michael - you’re the best. Thanks.
Not sure if anyone post this. Puckdaddy on S. Koivu -
Mikko and Saku can kiss my arse. Millions would love a chance to play professional hockey, especially a chance to play with their brother. No, it’s all about you two clowns and your egos getting bruised. What a joke.
Thanks again Michael, you are the best in the business!
Thanks again for the best sports blog I’ve ever read.
I think most of us know the Koivu’s have great character. I understand how it could get difficult if Saku’s game drops off.
I can however do without the Sprewell comments from them about taking care of his family. Thats a bouncyball players attitude.
I don’t see how people on here think Koivu owes something to MN. He never said he was coming here. We just got overly optimistic about it. Reality is, yes he wants the best deal for himself. So what? We all want the best for ourselves and family. You would have a legitimate gripe if he committed and backed out, but he didn’t. Get over it. Let’s roll with what we have and pick up some bargains later. And for the whiners calling for Fletch’s head and calling him a failure for not signing Gabby but signing Havlat, you being unreasonable and you’re thinking more about yourselves than Gabby thinks about himself; that’s bad. Nobody owes you anything. If you don’t want to go to the games, don’t. I will, and I’ll be reasonable when I go. As it stands, we are not a stanley cup team. We wouldn’t be even with Koivu or any of the other free agents out there. We’ll be competitive and make a run at the playoffs. Anything more is a cherry on top. If you can’t see the team is depleted you’re blind and have no credibility. That covers a lot of people. If you think the team is alright and we can go forward with what we have, then you need to be patient and let the team do just that. Carry on with the whining.
If there are people ignorant enough to rail on the Koivu brothers before the season even starts, as you are San Antonio, then clearly when things are going bad these same people will rail on them more. That’s detrimental to the team. I appreciate them thinking it through like that. Again, I’d love for him to sign but Saku doesn’t owe us anything.
Let’s get angry!!! I know I’m burning my Saku Koivu Wild jerseys (yes, plural. I have 10) tonight in front of the X!!!! What a jerk!!!! And, now I hate Mikko by association!!! Selfish jerks!!!! I can’t believe they promised they would play together and win us a cup, and that Fletch told us we would win a cup and he would sign every possible free agent and max out the cap in the first year, but now nothing is happening.
If anyone has season tickets they want to get rid off, let me know. for4rest2000@yahoo.com
Yeah, Russo left the back door open. Someone get me a newspaper so I can swat these trolls.
Nobody said he owes MN anything, but the bullcrap line about them playing together needs to be carefully thought out? WTF? Oh, please… The Canuck twins have no problem doing so. It can’t be the money. He’s rich. You get a once in a lifetime chance to play with your brother. That’s a no brainer. The rest of this stuff is just fluff.
did he hear the Teemu Selanne reported that this is going to be his last year in the league?…hopefully that turns him away from the ducks…at least i hope!!!
Yeah, I’m not sure I agree with dumping Haterade on either of the Koivus. It’s always been “well… maybe” from their side. Hard to read those reserved Finns sometimes, but I think the reservation in this case has been legit. I’ve never seen anything directly from either brother that seemed overly enthusiastic about the idea.
Soooo… on to the fresh meat… what do we know about Jarod Palmer?
Are we also burning our Forsberg sweaters?
Well, I have my Saku Voodoo Hockey Doll ready and if he doesn’t play here, I will be a thorn in his side until he retires… LOL
I sent my Floppa sweater with ATX to Cozumel… to go diving. 
Yes! Darn that Saku Koivu for wanting to maximize his income and further set himself up for life after hockey! How selfish!
Newsflash: Some people have great jobs. Some people make a lot of money at their jobs! Some people have great jobs that they make a lot of money at. That’s life.
“The Canuck twins have no problem doing so.”
You see the difference here? The brain eaters are twins, played their entire lives together and shared a womb.
Saku is 8 and 1/2 years older then Mikko and left for North America to play in the NHL when Mikko was just a boy. They may have played some games on the pond together but hardly grew up playing on the same team.
I’m sure the idea of playing on the same team as your brother sounds nice but he is going after his final contract.
Oh ffs, calm down. At this point, it’s Saku’s call, and I’ll drink the Russo-flavored kool-aid. I think he’s absolutely spot on with his analysis of the situation.
Now, after all Fletcher’s talk about “trading to acquire assets” in June (and more talk of the same right now), and all the talk after FA Day 1 of acquiring a #2 center, another scorer, and another defenseman, we’re not going to do any of that. Instead, we’re going to talk about trading guys that nobody wants after this Free Agency period for guys we desperately need, even though at the draft we talked about finding via Free Agency the pieces we didn’t get at the draft by way of trade.
So, we’ve switched out Gabby for Havlat, and Zanon for Skoula, and added a marginal center. Sounds like we’re the same shi**y team we were last year. Wait, we’re still minus a Begeron! Oops. Better get on that.
It’s one thing not to get guys. It’s another to hype the hell out of the draft (an “acquiring assets”), then Free Agency, then talk of getting via trade all the guys we need but didn’t get via the first two routes by offering guys that nobody seems to want.
Is Chuck Fletcher really the right guy for this job? Or, is he just another hype machine brought to town in order to prop up the morale of a half-ass franchise? I mean, at least the previous stiffs only promised mediocrity.
There’s no excuse for Josh Harding, Derek Boogard (no use for this stiff), or Eric Belanger (the wrong kind of center for the new system but cheap for someone else) to still be here. While it is only Chuckie’s second month on the job, his first two just happen to be the time of year most crucial to shaping a team’s roster.
This whole “Wild revolution” has been one big bummer so far. I mean, look at that roster; what the hell is there to get excited for? Havlat? Mikko? Backstom? Big deal. We’ve already been there, and look where it’s taken us. Nowhere.
Listen, there are guys still available everywhere. Look at the free agent rolls for wings. These guys have to sign somewhere, and I very much doubt they’re all holding out for five mil per. Samuelson. Sykora. Satan. Tanguay. Get on it, Chuck! Bring us the dream you promised, because if you don’t, you won’t last long. Look hard into Craigy’s eyes. That guy wants a championship, and you’re on the clock.
Sykora. Satan.
By all means, take them so Shero doesn’t get tempted to sign either one again.
Could CF perhaps look into Restricted Free Agency rather than a trade?
Haha, I’m sure Fletcher is in danger of losing his job already…funny. He’s already made three moves DR would not have made, aka signing Havlat, Zanon, and trading down a few spots in the draft that lead to getting the top ranked goalie in the draft and aquiring Brodziak. No one can make a stanley cup contender out of nothing in 2 months.
I’m sure Chuck’s quaking in his boots after you telling him he won’t last long Lala. LMAO
I for one would like Saku on the team but if he and Mikko are concerned what would happen if his play went down after the second year in to his contract, then maybe it’s not a good idea to hitch your horse to that plow, so to speak. If Fletch can land Fedotenko then I would consider that a very successful FA period. The Wild would still have pieces they could play before the start of the season via trade or signing after teams need to dump salary. So far I am very happy with the direction that Fletch has the team going. I think Havlat will be an absolute stud for the Wild.
Lala72…
Save the rants for opening day of the 2009-2010 Regular Season.
Fletcher has accomplished a lot in two months, but it will take more like 2 years to undo the damage Smug did.
It could have been like last UFA period where the Wild replaced Rolston and Demitra with nothing.
The idea that somehow Saku should turn away a better contract because he makes more in his career that SAWF in a lifetime is close to the dumbest thing I have read here. I hope we get Saku but who can blame him for getting the best contract he can in his last contract. The best contract could be a combination of terms and team fit. And I can see the issue of the vast difference in ages and career stages being a factor just as the enjoyment of finishing your career with your brother is a factor.
As to Fedotenko–he would be a nice pickup because he is a solid all-around player. But yes he is a 15-20 a year goal guy and 35-40 points. Not a superstar.
Oh, and Russo, in regards to your Development Camp…Yeah, I want to watch a bunch of kids that will probably never wear the uniform skate around for two hours. I want to watch the “future” and continue to plan for that, like all MN teams do.
have any of you caught the NHL.com article on gaby? It looks like CF was waiting for gab to say something about wanting to play for mn which of course he didnt do.CF just said that zanon called him and that made it happen. And gaby was very impressed with how the rangers showed him that they wanted HIM. CF never made him an offer…Good riddance mabey NY is big enuf for this guys ego.
It’s been my impression that other than believing (along with nearly everyone else) that there would be a lot of trades at the draft and making moves there, Fletcher talked about making trades later in the summer when there might be better deals to be made since teams will be maneuvering to get their cap numbers down.
It doesn’t make any sense to sign a player just because he is available and plays a position you have an opening at. It’s like “saving” money at the grocery store by using a great coupon even though it is for a product you would never otherwise buy.
Samuelson, Sykora, Satan, Tanquay…they’re waiting, Chuck. Take your pick. Get on it!
Tanguay is intriguing to me. I think he tends to play up or down to the talent around him. When he was with Colorado, and on the top line, he was one of the best LWers in the league. The last two “down” years, playing alongside lesser talent, his stats diminished. The question then becomes, does he still possess the talent? If he does, he could again put up good numbers beside M. Koivu and M. Havlat.
This is exactly why Johan left: always “tomorrow”!
Yeah, Scott, you’re right. And I see him playing alongside Mikko and Havlat. I think he could return to 80 point ways.
Samuelson signed with Vancouver. Why would you want the others? Their careers are nearly over.
I thought we were done with troll season…
You guys take care. Stay passionate. I’m too disgusted to stay on this board. Peace.
Samuelson, Sykora, Satan, Tanquay…they’re waiting, Chuck. Take your pick. Get on it!
Actually Samuelsson’s off the market now. Went to Vancouver for $7.5M over three years.
Unless you want to bring Ulfie or Kjell out of retirement.
Franklen: more over than Brunette’s or Nolan’s???
Okay, Tanguay may have some life, but his points have been trending down for a couple of years now.
I wish, just wish that the Wild could, for once, make more than a couple splashes in FA. I’m delighted with Zanon and Havlat, I really am, but the mention of Fedotenko and S.Koivu really really got me excited…and now nothing.
Also, I have just seen Locke has gone to NYR, too bad, I liked the kid.
Other than the injuries, Nolan had a great year. I would like to see more from Brunette. He did have a blown out knee for quite some time though.
Satan is done. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Gee Lala, I thought you left. Tanguay might be somewhat interesting if cheap enough–the other two–blah.
I’ve always considered tanguay and Bouchard kinda played the same game. Setup men who play the wing. Neither one is for physical contact and could run the point or side boards on the PP.
just MHO
Fletcher said he wasn’t going to spend up to cap level so he would have room to make trades later on. Just because players are available doesn’t mean they need to be signed. Tanguay could be asking for too much money.
Saku wanting to make sure he gets one last big contract is exactly the right thing to do. All this crap about how they’ve already made millions and should just sign here for free is just stupid. It’s their area of business, if in your job another company offered you substantially more to work for them wouldn’t you do it? They get paid millions and that’s the markets we’ve set for them so why in the world would they try and make less then what they are worth?
All the guy i trying to do is make sure his grand kids and great grand kids are set for life. He should be thinking about his family. It may not make sense to some of you but they live quite a bit better than us so he can’t exactly just play for free and think he can still afford everything. He’s doing the right thing here. Especially since they realize that if Saku doesn’t play as well later on it could be detrimental to the team.
Wow what a jerk to think about his family and the team. Yup sure sounds like a guy i don’t want on the team.
With all that said I sure hope he does decide to come play for us!
Tweet: Russostrib Wild signs tough defenseman Shane Hnidy #nhl
2 minutes ago from TwitterBerry
Russo Tweet: Russostrib Wild signs tough defenseman Shane Hnidy #nhl
Food
Wild signed Shane Hnidy….
I should note for that record if I’ve ever called for firing Fletch I was doing so with complete facetiousness. Deadpan’s just too easy in text. :\
Fletch has already exhibited more confidence that I could have hoped for. Anyone calling for his head after only two months validates their own idiocy.
I think the Wild could easily have put Saku on the Owen Nolan 2yrs fo $8M plan. And they could trade years for dollars also.
The problem remains that the Wild have to play Johnsson another $5M this season for his lack of toughness and offensive contribution. If Saku’s now a hot property the Wild are constrained by the fact they only have $7M in cap space and they haven’t finalized any RFA contracts.
Still I think I disagree with Russo on Comrie. I’d put him up there with Antropov for sure. But if we go to camp with the same centers as last year, Fletcher really hasn’t done anything different than Dougie. And if PMB was the answer at center the Wild would never have traded for Fritche last year.
Admittedly as a last resort the Wild can go in this season with the same centers as last year, but I think Russo is underestimating Comrie, and the Wild should seriously consider that if it falls through for Saku. Comrie’s still put up decent numbers in bad situations (Isles, Sens).
I am confused. Are some people suggesting that by saying “I want what’s best for my family,” he is somehow along the lines of “I need to be able to feed my children”??
That doesn’t make any sense!
Everyone thinks about what is best for their family when taking any job no matter how much money they have made, are making, or stand to make in the future. I’m sure he is not worried about putting food on the table and never said or implied any such thing. He is thinking about what is the best place to live for his family (or if they stay in their current residence, what location would be best for him to play for as his home team and be able to see and keep in contact with his family to whatever extant they deem necessary and beneficial). Is this really that difficult to understand?
Sprewell comment?? What on earth are we talking about?
Does anyone know how much this scrimmage will be on Saturday?
Too bad that we lost Corey Locke, he was by far our best player in Houston and I really felt he should have gotten a callup at least last year.
You have to understand that in Finland Saku and Mikko are like Wayne Gretzky and his brothers in Canada. The Player and Kid Brother. Except that Mikko is a reallllly good player.
It’s a tricky situation, since Mikko has had his share of problems with being little brother of national hero. And Saku has understood how difficult that has been for Mikko and tried to make everything possible, that he won’t be on kid’s way and people won’t get chance to compare them.
That’s why, last year in World Champs Halifax/Quebec, Saku took few days to think weather to join the team or not, but since Mikko was 1st line center allready, and that position was locked, he could join and make sure that Mikko wasn’t left in the shadows, again. Hell, the coach even tried to put Saku on Mikko’s wing, when has that happend before?
It haven’t been an easy thing for Mikko, beside’s Saku, their father is well known coach and tv-commentator in Finland and was Mikko’s first coach at Finnish top league.
If Saku joins Wild, he does that after making sure, that it won’t make any harm to Mikko.
Btw, Russo has bee the most quoted foreign journalist in Finnish papers in this week. Nobody cares about any foreign politics, Iraq, plane crashes, H1N1 or pirates in Somalia so much, that any paper would consider quote some foreign journalist’s blogs or columns, but Russo and Montreal Gazette’s Pat Hickey and Red Fisher has been in several papers many times this week. One paper even named Russo as the best source of Wild since he knows everything that happens in organisation.
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