Wild signs Tyler Cuma; Why no Gaborik?; Bad week for Koivu; Sunday scrimmage reminder
Posted on July 9th, 2009 – 1:31 PMBy Michael Russo
UPDATED FROM 11,323 FEET
Coming to you from 38,000 feet right now (yes, I paid $9.95 to blog this because I really couldn’t pull out blackberry as we were flying down the runway).
The Wild has signed 2008 first-round pick Tyler Cuma to a three-year, $2.625 million entry-level deal. An announcement is expected Friday. The Wild had until June 1, 2010, to sign this prized defenseman.
This doesn’t change the rules — Because of his age, if he doesn’t make the Wild in the fall, he’s got to be returned to Ottawa of the OHL. If that’s the case, his contract slides and the contract won’t start until he turns pro in likely 2010-11.
I still think it’ll be a longshot. Wild has seven defensemen on one-ways, barring a trade, and Cuma barely played any hockey last season at the junior level because of his meniscus injury.
Now that Delta’s got Internet on most its flights, this should be a fun upcoming season for you. Now I can tell you every time we hit turbulence or the guy next to me coughs on me — LIKE RIGHT NOW!
OK, they just served me a chef salad. It was good.
I might as well continue with this blog, eh?
How about Stephane Veilleux and Kurtis Foster signing with Tampa Bay? Both should fit in quite nice, and personally, they’ll be missed in Minnesota by this beat writer. My favorite Veilleux story I wrote is this one (click link). The guy was a true character — on and off the ice.
And Foster is by far one of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys I’ve ever covered. His return from a broken leg was inspirational, and as you know from when he was playing regularly, he was a go-to quote for the beat writers.
Speaking of which, before my flight, he had a pretty hysterical line. Noting that Veilleux was Mikko Koivu’s linemate, how Foster was one of Mikko’s best friends on the team and how his brother Saku declined the Wild’s contract offers, Foster said, “Pretty tough week for Mikko.”
This plane’s bouncing around the sky right now. Onward.
Remember, if you need a hockey fix, Sunday from 12:30-2:30 p.m., the Wild prospects will be scrimmaging down at Xcel Energy Center. You can see guys like Cuma, Colton Gillies, Nick Leddy, Petr Kalus, Matt Hackett, Cody Almond, Carson McMillan, Marco Scandella, former Shattuck roomies Alex Fallstrom and Erik Haula and the infamous Eero Elo, who according to google doubles as a Finnish hotel.
Incidentally, I’ll be there to blog, and quite frankly folks, that might be the last you’ll be seeing/hearing from me for some time. I’ve got time off on the horizon, and it’s been a busy offseason. So to ensure my battery’s running when camp starts, I hope you understand that unless there’s big news, my byline will probably be missing for awhile and the blog will be updated by somebody else.
Lastly, I’ve gotten a gazillion (in the dictionary now) emails about why the Wild made no offers to Marian Gaborik when the team portrayed like it would. To this point, GM Chuck Fletcher has declined comment on this subject, but let me tell you, Marian Gaborik was not re-signing here even if Fletcher did the P.R. thing and offered him a contract.
I wish Gaborik well. He’s the second-best scorer I’ve ever covered (Pavel Bure being Numero Uno). Gaborik was just a sensational talent and goal scorer. But he was not re-signing here. He turned down $78.5 million last fall. Every contract he’s ever signed with Minnesota has been a problem. Think Ron Salcer was just going to sign him up here days before he had his pick of teams? It just wasn’t happening, so to me, this is beyond a moot point. If the changes were made last summer, he probably signs on the dotted line. But this close to free agency, it just wasn’t going to happen.
The Wild entered this free-agent period $13 million under the cap with a to-do list of re-signing Gaborik/finding his replacement, adding a No. 2 center, signing two defensemen, re-signing Josh Harding, Benoit Pouliot, Kyle Brodziak and others.
The team wants to be $1.5 million under the cap for injury cushion/in-season trades or waiver pickups. That means it had $11.5 million to spend. Re-sign Gaborik at $7.5 mill, that would have left $4 million to sign two defensemen, a No. 2 center and re-sign the restricted free agents. Basically, re-signing Gaborik probably would’ve meant the team could not have even made a run at Saku Koivu.
So I think the Wild made the conscious decision to pursue Martin Havlat at $5 million so it would have $6.5 million to spend on two defensemen, Saku Koivu and the RFA’s. Unfortunately, Koivu didn’t sign. But that doesn’t change the fact that the team was making a fiscal decision to try to fill as many holes as possible, something that could not have happened if Gaborik was re-signed. Havlat is a nice replacement. The guy is a stud player when healthy, somebody that WILL do things that dazzle on the ice. He’s been basically a point-a-game player since 2002 (look at his numbers in 2006-07 especially).
Again, the caveat with him has been health, but the same can be said for Gaborik, too. As I mentioned last week, there were only two real replacements for Gaborik — Mike Cammalleri and Havlat — because Marian Hossa clearly picked his team and the Sedins were off the board before free agency started.
The Wild got one of them. The Wild could have gotten none of them.
Now, yes, the team didn’t get Koivu, but going out and just signing players for the sake of signing players is a stupid idea. The Wild can’t let itself get hamstrung by bad contracts. Quite frankly, the reason for the lack of flexibility now is because it has a few unmovable contracts.
So Fletcher is trying to be patient, search the trade market and if the right move comes up, he’ll pounce. But maybe that move doesn’t happen to camp, doesn’t happen until midseason, at the trade deadline or next summer.
To use a terrible cliche, Rome wasn’t build in a day. To expect that a new GM can come in and fill every single hole in one summer when the free-agent pool was so thin was unrealistic. Fletcher is trying to build long-term, so again, to sign an Alex Kovalev at 36 years old at $5 million per makes little sense. No doubt Kovalev can still play the game and would be an upgrade.
But you know what usually happens when you make short-sighted decisions like that? Something falls into your lap later in the summer or next season, and you can’t pull the trigger because you signed a 36-year-old at $5 million per.
I can ramble on and on, but we’re descending and the flight attendant is giving me the stare-down. So like I said to you on July 1, after reading some of these comments lately and fielding some of the emails lately, I am worried for your health.
It ain’t so bad, folks. Calm down, take a deep breath, be patient, maybe listen to a little Cat Stevens to calm the nerves and enjoy your summer.
281 Responses to "Wild signs Tyler Cuma; Why no Gaborik?; Bad week for Koivu; Sunday scrimmage reminder"
first!!
I feel obligated to buy a copy of the strib for this $10 blog.
that was for you ms. c!!!!
russo….has chucky found a dance partner yet?
I need some real possibilitys instead of random speculation about random players….
that is an expensive blog posting.
There is no need to rush this kid. He suffered a season ending injury last season. Just let him heal and go back and play for his junior team and hopefully he’ll make the under 20 roster for team Canada.
An extra year in juniors doesn’t ruin prospects, throwing them in to the NHL too early can!
austin…..no….unless you buy your system from finland’s region you can’t play it…..however you can e-mail ea sports and see if they can send you a new cover…..that actually sounds like something I might do!
that was from the previous thread btw….
Maybe using as trade bait?
argon, you should be able to play it on a modded system. That breaks the region codes (but also voids your warranty). Good idea on the email to EA though… I wonder if they would be willing to send one out. It might be worth a try.
Russo,
Why would they do this almost a year before they have to unless they plan on giving him a roster spot or at least 10 games?
It just doesn’t seem like there was any hurry to sign him so I am curious as to what the reason would be…
I’m low on sleep, btw, so I might be overthinking this. I know other draftees are signed early on but I can’t think of many off the top of my head that are signed in July, only to be sent back to juniors without getting some games in the NHL.
Which one? Turbulance, coughing or both?
Oh, Jimbo, don’t say that. I’m dying to see this kid play fer realz!
When’s the pre-season sked coming out? I’d almost be more excited to go to a couple of those since I can’t watch it any other way for any amount of money, and so many of my guys are still up at that time.
Not a bad idea, argon. I have a feeling EA might laugh in your face with a response of: “How about instead you just buy two game. Seriously, you’re going to buy two games.” And you would because they’re EA, and what EA wants happens. :\
Kane being on the NA cover is fine, but they’ve got a weird pic of him chomping on his mouth guard. That’s very fitting of Kane, since I’ve seen him do that a lot–but he looks like a baby aligator. Creepy.
It would be great if this was a sign of a trade to come… word is Chicago had interest in Kaberle, perhaps Hards and a d-man for Sharp/Versteeg?
Safe trip, Russo.
BTW, hats off to you for your blog categorizing the other day. I’m the “Label Nazi” over at T3I. Go behind the boys and put the right labels on the posts. So much easier to just stay on top of it than go back. Yet, somehow that same philosophy doesn’t apply to laundry and dirty dishes…
The Wild has signed 2008 first-round pick Tyler Cuma to a three-year, $2.625 million entry-level deal. The Wild had until June 1, 2010, to sign this prized defenseman.
This doesn’t change the rules — Because of his age, if he doesn’t make the Wild in the fall, he’s got to be returned to Ottawa of the OHL. If that’s the case, his contract slides and the contract won’t start until he turns pro in likely 2010-11.
Last year MKIA could never get it through his thick skull that Cuma could not play in Houston. What is the over-under for this season? I predict that he will rip CF for not putting Cuma in a Aeros uniform by the end of October.
I can’t see Chicago trading for a prospect (Cuma). This is their year. They have 14 FA’s next year, 11 of which are RFA’s and deserving of big raises (huge raises if they F-up the mailing of the offers like this year). What a cluster *&#^.
Sid and Geno for Pouliot and Boogie…
perhaps Hards and a d-man for Sharp/Versteeg?
I hear the footsteps of KiPA coming to swat this dream out of the air…
The guy next to you coughed. two part question 1. Was he turning his head? and 2. Where were your hands?
FFS, he was probably about to post those very complaints but refreshed to see you post and is now deleting. Now he’ll just re-post one of his Modano posts in CAPS again. I actually prefer when he does that so that when I see caps in my peripheries, I know I can just keep scrolling down. 
The guy next to you coughed. two part question 1. Was he turning his head? and 2. Where were your hands?
I lol’d. Nice one.
Definately could be a trade, why sign him otherwise?
Thanks, most of the jokes I put on here are only funny in my head.
Don’t come home with Swine Flu from your new single-serving friends, Russo.
Russo has the swine flu now.
Wafer, I was just about to post the same thing!
Very nice BF.
Poor Russo. He’ll have to spend another $10 to come back on and defend himself.
Been looking to see if there are any quotes from Foster, Steph or Wes.
An extra year in juniors doesn’t ruin prospects, throwing them in to the NHL too early can
either on to something or on something me boy
would signing cuma make him and easier trade because of cost certainty?
*ahem* happy birthday to me.
freebie stuff: Baker’s Square, with an ID, one free piece of pie. Dunn Bros (sign up prior); free beverage. Certain there are more.
Michael Russo - thanks for spending money on us. Enjoy the flight and stay healthy.
Happy B-Day M03! There are a few places that give you free meals for your b-day (may have to find a friend to purchase one). I think Joe Sensor’s was either free or 1/2 price. There are some Mexican places in the St. Cloud area that do free ones too with the purchase of one.
HBD, M 03.
G* “wld signing Cuma…”
Bingo, just what I was thinking. perceptive comment.
Happy birthday, M03!!! Sounds like you got the system all figured out. Though Baskin Robbins did a free birthday cone. Do they have those up there?
Speaking of cone, there’s this snoball place near us now that is SO good. May have to drag Mr.C out there tonight for a bahama mama or something.
I hear the footsteps of KiPA
KiPA has divorced us again on account of too many idiots. Can’t say I blame him with all the Saku-bashing yesterday. That was pretty effin’ dumb. But as I explained to him, it’s tolerable to me because Wild idiots are MY idiots.
At least he is still sending me tweets in my email. Which is kinda like sending snail mail with an email address on the front of the envelope, but it still makes me laugh.
“snail mail with an email address on the front…” Please tell me that just you being clever and not something you’ve actually witnessed.
- Encrimson’d - spelling, grammar and being wrong never stops MKIA and pals
- Have a grate one M03 - if I could I would get you that Mikko road roomate assignment 
And Foster is by far one of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys I’ve ever covered. His return from a broken leg was inspirational, and as you know from when he was playing regularly, he was a go-to quote for the beat writers.
Russo repeating the point many of us wrote before. Fozzie being a true gentlemen, a class-guy, personable and intelligent does not make up for the fact that he has size to burn and doesn’t use it; and has a canon of a shot but doesn’t know exactly where it is going. The Wild (as a whole) may miss Fozzie and SRV off the ice but they certainly won’t miss them on it.
Will Gillies be playing for the Wild this year, or in the minors?
Let’s just hope Fletcher can be creative with that cap space and bring in a guy that could really help us.
A center would be preferable.
M 03, I don’t know how old you are, but most bars give away a free drink on your birthday.
KiPA has divorced us again on account of too many idiots. Can’t say I blame him with all the Saku-bashing yesterday. That was pretty effin’ dumb. But as I explained to him, it’s tolerable to me because Wild idiots are MY idiots
I guess I missed that. Definitely can’t blame him. Too many people jumping to conclusions and not thinking rationaly.
Will Gillies be playing for the Wild this year, or in the minors?
Most people seemed to think he would be in Houston… I dunno if the Mikko non-signing changes that idea or not.
Happy birthday M03!
I’m not giving up that Mikko road roommate assignment. But I’ll let you “accidentally” walk in on him in the shower, M.
Yes, Crim, I was being clever. As usual.
Okay, off to battle with the toll road authority. I have an ez-tag, but the last three times I’ve come home from hockey, they’ve flagged me as violating the ez-tag lane. Never mind that I went through another toll booth on the way TO hockey each time and that registered just fine. Stupid.
Ms.C, that kind of annoyance must take a… toll on you. That was ME being clever. I guess there’s a difference. :\
Marian Gaborik was not re-signing here even if Fletcher did the P.R. thing and offered him a contract.
Thank you for setting the record straight Russo.
I would think Gillies could be a good forechecker, he is a big, strong & fast kid.
Thanks all. I promised myself to have a decent day, all things considered. I should have wished for a first or second line center. Maybe I can wish for KiPA to return. He is just so insightful, darn funny and has great eastern conference info. I am happy with my freebies as well as a fresh post from Michael.
MsC: sno cone sounds awesome.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: “Sir, you’ll need to turn that off now. We’re about to land.”
RUSSO: [no response. Continues pensively typing.]
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: “…sir, excuse me, but –”
RUSSO: [looks attendant in the eye] “No, excuse ME.” [waves his hand at attendant] “You’re sorry for interrupting me. You didn’t realize who I was.”
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: [now with a blank stare] “I’m sorry, sir, for interrupting. I didn’t realize who you were.”
RUSSO: [with another wave] “You want me to finish up what I’m writing. You understand that people’s lives hang in the balance with what I blog.”
FLIGHT ATTENDANT: “Please, sir, finish up what you were writing. People’s lives hang in the balance with what you blog.”
RUSSO: “Thank you.” [returns attention to blog, but then has a second thought and waves his hand at the flight attendant again] “Oh! Before you forget: you were going to be right back with that captain coke for me. Compliments of that guy sitting over there.” [points thumb to a silver-haired elder two rows back]
FLIGHT ATTENDANT “Oh, before I forget, sir: I’ll be right back with a captain coke for you…compliments of that gentleman behind you.”
RUSSO: [turns around, recognizes the man and smiles] “Hey, pal! Thanks for the drink!”
SID: “…huh?”
I would think Gillies could be a good forechecker, he is a big, strong & fast kid.
Wait for it…. Wait for it….
I AGREE WITH Wildfan!!!
Wow… that feels weird. 
I laughed, Crim.
Great update above in case y’all hadn’t noticed.
I know its still early and the free agency period is still underway with signings and trades most likely coming this summer, but ESPN has the Wild ranked 13th just in the Western conference, which I dont have to say is not good at all. Cant imagine where we would be if it was both conferences combined
Thank you for setting the record straight Russo.
No, you see, it’s Fletcher’s fault for not doing more to get him to stay!
I would think Gillies could be a good forechecker, he is a big, strong & fast kid.
I totally agree, but I don’t think he’s totally ready yet, and he would be 5th in line if Butch moves to center and Brohan is any good.
I began looking for centers, and I’m not sure that there are that many that are both a)realistic and b)better than what the Wild has. I’m not too into Comrie, and he is the only #2 possibility as a UFA.
As far as trades go, two guys I would be willing to give up something for are Jordan Staal and David Backes.
I just realized the Russo update/beatdown up there…
ATX, you pullin my chain?
No, you see, it’s Fletcher’s fault for not doing more to get him to stay!
I can’t tell if this is a joke or not. Please clarify.
Someon said this earlier, but deep down we all want the same thing, and that is to have Lord Stanley’s Cup raised here in the state of hockey. We all have different views/opinions on how to get there but in the end we can all agree on one thing.
Is that one thing that Matt Cooke sux?
No Wildfan. I actually do agree with you. I think Gilles could definitely be a really good forechecker. He definitely has the size and speed for it. However, like Jordan said, I am not sure he is ready.
Just kidding Wildfan. I’m just glad that we had something to talk about other than biker etiquette, and for that I am thankful.
Jordan, I think that was a joke. And Matt Cooke sux is something we should all be in agreement on for sure.
Great update from Michael - hopefully enough to hold the collective us through Sunday. The young prospects attended the Wednesday night baseball game. Just knowing hockey is going on is a good thing.
Kotalik signs with Rangers for $3M per for 3 yrs. The Boynton contract is a one year, $1.5M–not bad for the Ducks.
That is a deal for the Ducks.
Mssr. Russo, I’ll gladly take your press pass and cover for you while you are on a long vacation!!
Jake R, that’s because ESPN just found out there’s a team in MN.
Jake R, that’s because ESPN just found out there’s a team in MN.
I’m pretty sure that ESPN thinks the Western Conference is Toronto, Detroit and Chicago.
Trusting ESPN ratings is almost as bad as paying attention to Ecklund’s latest and greatest news.
50 minutes and I go on vacation… 50 minutes until the end of my day… 50 minutes to waste since I got all my stuff done 20 minutes ago and have since been just putzing around the office.
I was unable to get to a computer till late yesterday so here is my 2 cents about Saku. I’m not surprised he didn’t come here, when he didn’t sign in the first three days of free agency I had a feeling he was not going to sign here. And that’s all I’m gonna say.. oh, except that I’m very sorry that this means no Koivu Brother Sandwiches. 
Oh, Happy Birthday M03! What’s this about walking in on Mikko in the shower? I think I read something wrong…
If PMB moves to C, what are your guys thoughts on line structures as our roster stands?
Yeah, would have to agree with not being able to trust espn’s hockey rankings, but I just thought it was an interesting piece of info being it was from someone not drinking the kool-aid management is giving out.
Wafer- Toronto is an Eastern Conference team. I would say that the Sharks are prolly in on that too considering how much Melrose always talks about how good they are.
Koivu Brother Sandwiches
Hello!
The sharks are good…..untill the playoffs.
Oh don’t I know it MsC. Very Nummy indeed.
Self-serving comment alert: Thank you Russo for echoing exactly what I (and the few rational others) have been saying on here for the past two weeks. But, then again, it doesn’t matter that you said because according to some you are just a hack with a press pass who does nothing but copy stories from the AP. Can’t win ‘em all I suppose.
You can’t say Cat Steven’s on a plane!
35 minutes left!!!
The only ESPN writer’s opinion I trust and seek out is John Buccigross’. That man truly has a talent for the typed word and a noble perspective which transcends hockey into life profundities.
Wow, toll auth is actually handling this efficiently and correctly! Magical!
“The Wild entered this free-agent period $13 million under the cap with a to-do list of re-signing Gaborik/finding his replacement, adding a No. 2 center, signing two defensemen, re-signing Josh Harding, Benoit Pouliot, Kyle Brodziak and others.”
By this standard look how close Fletch got? I just don’t get why so many people think Fletch has already screwed up.
“ESPN has the Wild ranked 13th just in the Western conference”
I am most certainly not interested in anything the Worldwide Leader in lying about sports has to say. Are they saying St. Louis, Columbus, Vancouver, Nashville, Edmonton, Colorado, Phoenix are all better than the Wild now? No freakin’ way.
Even where they sit now, if the Wild don’t at least make the playoffs, it’s very dissapointing. If they get the last top 6 forward, this could be a surprisingly good team :).
But it may be a while until we find out if the Wild can make a deal they need.
Hey Bandgeek, where ya going on vacation?
Scooter my daisyheads!
The season can’t come soon enough.
Duluth!
My favorite place to go.
10 minutes left!!
As it stands I see
C) L-R
Koivu) Havlat-(BIG MYSTERY)
Bouchard) Bruno-Nolan
Sheppard) Miettenen-CAL!
Brodzinak) Pouliot-Boogie
Extras: Belanger, Weller, Gilles
I imagine if Nolan can keep up his production he’ll be up with Koivu and Havlat as they sit now. Perhaps Belanger could play wing on the 2nd line. This lineup doesn’t look outstanding, but one more top 6 forward would make all the difference. And as you see it’s not that the Wild are short on Centers, it’s an issue of they’re all #3 or #4 guys.
hey I finally made it to Duluth awhile back. It seemed like a nice place. The bar we went to had a lot of pool tables and stuff.
Justin, there is no way Bela is making Popcorn. He will play over Boogie. At this point I would have to put Nolan on line #1 and Bela on line #2…or maybe Cal on line #2 and Bela on #3. If Butch moves to C we need a RW.. if not. we need a C… either way the lines look incomplete as is.
I’m kind of excited for this developmental camp. I mean, i’ve never been to offseason hockey so I figure it’ll be pretty cool (HEY-OHHHHH).
My question is, who do I heckle? in good fun of course…
Later Peeps!! I’m outie!
Have fun BG!
I could live at Fitger’s in Duluth.
Been thinkin bout this Leddy pick in the draft. High schooler playing weak competition, undersized, yadda yadda yadda. What we did hear is that his skating skill is remarkable and he has one of the best strides in the draft. Kind of like a puppy with the right markings and tell tale anatomy. You know they will grow into something special very early on. He may be a long way from ready, but scouts look at that and figure he has a remarkable gift that can’t be taught. If he has that, one can argue the rest can be learned. Time will tell.
From a Duluthian…Fitger’s is great. The hotel is unmatched and the establishments in the shopping portion are decent.
Welcome up north Bandgeek hope you enjoy your stay, go out to the Wade and catch a ballgame while you’re up here.
OK, so Russo is vacating the premises just before the most important day of the summer?
The day we begin to plan our lives for the next nine months?
The day that we all look forward to since the end of last season…
Schedule Release Day, July 15 (Wednesday)!
The day I begin to get to work in planning next season’s adventures following the Wild on the road (next season should be fun, especially in those cities whom always complained about the Wild and ‘the trap’…now most of them will be the team they complain about).
Ms. C. and others: the pre-season schedule should be out Monday or Tuesday of next week (if not sooner)…
I’m really hoping Mr.C’s job situation gains some clarity in the next month. If it does, I’ll be right there planning with you. Need to prioritize though. Also had a little flash of a thought of going to Traverse. But I think they show those games in NHLN, so nah.
Mostly I just have a big travel jones at the moment. I’m about ready to just book a flight to Toronto by myself and spend a couple of days at the HHOF, just to be some place cool and hockey-oriented.
Okay. Time to work the ol’ abs. *crunch*
“Been thinkin bout this Leddy pick in the draft.”
Stoned, I didn’t want to copy your entire post but I wanted to add my thoughts.
The so called experts raised their eyebrows when we selected Brent Burns with the 20th overall pick in 2003. He was ranked a mid second round player. Fans b!tched about that pick for years. Saying we completely blew the draft and wasted a pick. Now most Wild fans would rather give up their first born child then trade Burns.
Nick Leddy isn’t projected to be as big as Brent Burns and I’m by no means hyping him to be the second coming of Burns but sometimes you need to just wait and give the pick time.
Correct Lucky. Except for the first couple of picks it takes a few years at the minimum to figure out how a player will turn out. Both Burns and Koivu were considered reaches and they turned out well. Pouliot was not considered a reach and so far he hasn’t. You win some and you lose some but you just hope your scouting guys don’t screw up too much and can find a few gems.
Oh and Michael calm down by listening to Cat Stevens?! If you want to chill it is the Dead you listen to.
Someone want to explain to me why the Wild let Foster walk? I thought he really looked good after returning from his broken leg and don’t understand this situation at at all.
perfect chilling out band….austrian death machine…..
GET TO DA CHAPPA!!!!
kidding of course….
Make sure you get to duluth at night….Entering duluth at night is one of the most beautiful sights you will see…..the lights reflecting off the water, and the stars shining (stars might be a bit more faded now that there is probobly more lights….)
I remember that vision vividly as a child, and it absolutly made the 4 hour car ride worth it….
foster would have been the 8th defensiveman…….and too expensive….
on espn:
I agree with encrimson…..bucci is an amazing writer with awesome hockey knowlege….not to mention a great sports center anchor….
pierre lebrun is also quite good….
the guy that did the ratings was david frei…..who absolutly hates the wild (he worked in colorado during the playoff run…..so you know….).
everything he writes about the wild seems to be extremly negative…(if I remember correctly he was the one that called a pittsburg vs minny matchup good vs. evil….and yes he was praising crosby the whole article..)
I know it has been said on here that the Wild could use a center and it also has been said that they could have interest in Modano. Has anybody verified whether its likely that he will be here ?
Wow Beast, you are a real romantic. Maybe if you are not a real Beast we might date
Make sure you get to duluth at night….Entering duluth at night is one of the most beautiful sights you will see…..the lights reflecting off the water, and the stars shining (stars might be a bit more faded now that there is probobly more lights….)
There is the problem that CF did not seem to make much effort for either Gaborik or S Koivu. Pretending he made an offer when he did not is sleazy. He should have just owned it and said good-bye.
With Saku I wonder why he did not make the trip to Finland, sit down with the brothers and try to sell the positives. He seems to have made the offer and then gave up. Maybe he really did not want him and just tried to appease the fans. Again he does not look like much of a straight shooter at this point.
It would have been nice to give Foster a comeback year, is the last defenseman going to be that much better? At least the old admin stood by him when he was injured.
hockey1….are you serious? Some one put the stupid stick away before hockey1 hits himself again!
Would Foster be better than either Hnidy or Zanon at this point? I would have at least liked to see Kurtis get a chance but what the heck do I know? In any event best wishes to him in Tampa.
The Mr. emailed the press release thing from the Wild on attending camp Sunday. Since I got it from the Wild and heard about it here before the email came, I am hoping that is his way of saying he wants to road trip down for it. That could be a fun way to spend a Sunday.
wildgirl….I am single….
now if only I could get that kind of response in a place other than cyberspace!
WildFan85…I would have liked to see Foster stay too especially with all he went through and how his play is when he’s healthy. I thought his games at the end of last season were on the right track to his old self.
However I am interested to see how Hnidy and Zanon do for the team.
I read somewhere the schedule is supposed to be released July 15th. They better fix it from last year, ours was ridiculous.
A not-compensated plug for 100WJ Friday night at Whiskey Junction. kj and crew are great musicians.
Return to hockey talk.
If you are a Sakic fan, the Denver Post coverage was terrific.
One question for the masses, why does espn news channel exist? Same stuff looped every five minutes or so it seems.
And,I was on the treadmill during the height of FA time and they did not loop any NHL news. Frustrating. Chris, go on back to CA.
As much as I am not a Ducks fan, they seem to have made some good moves for the upcoming season. Lost Pronger but got a pretty solid D in Boynton and maybe Skiba makes it this year plus added Saku and Lupul. I may not be completely enamored with Lupul but with those 2 adds upfront plus Boynton they could be tough.
Wildfan- I have not heard any news with regards to Modano or any other center the Wild might have interest in.
Mister Know it all plans to be in attendance Sunday at the Wild practice just in case any of you want me to sign anything
KJ hangs out at the Whiskey Junction ? hmmm. I am a Mpls Roosevet grad just like Mike Ramsey KJ. You may be playing for some of my homies
People in MN are so satisfied with mediocrity it’s unreal. Even the beat writer is satisfied. Pittsburgh barely won the cup with two absolute superstars and we think we are O.K. with Havlat? Problem with some of Russo’s logic is that in order to win a cup you MUST take risks to get players. You can’t be conservative and HOPE something works out. If you take the risk it may pay off and it may not, but if you don’t you are certain to be mediocre. That is MN for you. These owners know it. They have a packed stadium and as long as we are “in the hunt” people will show up. Why risk spending big buck and not have it work out? This way it’s a win win for them and a lose lose for the fans. It’s just about money for these guys and that’s why owners like Lemouix are priceless.
Jaques strap- Mario got the two superstars by being extremely extremely crappy. Something our fans wont tolerate I am thinking. I honestly cant see what Fletch could do that he has not already done.
I will say this. The Wild need to have a center, and yeah they could go without and just roll the dice with what they have. Leaving the team alone is what DR would do.
Jouqe strap the true skill with Fletch will be if he can get a center without losing assets
re: Gillies He’s gonna be an AWESOME forechecker… someday. He needs time, and I’d love to see him put on 10-15 pounds, as long as it doesn’t slow him down.
JS, Have you heard of the cap? We can’t just spend like the Yankees. Beyond your feeble mind, I guess.
Ok, so Cuma can’t go to Houston. That does seem to make signing him now odd. Does having him under contract have any benefits? Perhaps CF just wants him under contract for the possibility of trade?
I believe there is a window to sign a draft pick, so it could just be that CF thinks TC has a chance to make the team, or he just wants to get it out of the way.
Or maybe TC wanted to sign for the bonus to buy himself a new car to show off to the ladies who follow the 67’s.
Here’s to hoping the Wild travel to Arizona in January. We are planning a trip to visit the Mrs.’s grandparents in a suburb of Phoenix in the New Year, and I wouldn’t mind adding a Wild game to the itinerary
Oh, and a player doesn’t have to be under contract to trade them, you can just trade their rights.
Shouldn’t be hard to get tickets, Gun.
That’s what I was thinking Wood… especially since they had some promotion down there this year, where if you bought a bottle of Vodka you got tickets to the game or something like that. I am just glad the Coyotes are still down there this year, just for the possibility of this trip.
Yeah, not too many folks take trips to Hamilton.
Good morning all….
Just read the updates on Gaborik, and I truly hope this puts an end to all the whining by people like Chris in CA and others about how great he is and how we didn’t even offer him a contract and why didn’t Fletcher try to resign him and Fletcher is stupid and blah blah blah. If we never talk about Gaborik in Russoville again, I’d be very happy with that.
And yes, I realize that I’m talking about Gaborik while saying that I don’t want to talk about him any more. This is the last I’ll say on the subject.
Oh boy…here we go AGAIN. Playing the patience card. Didn’t work for Risebrough, and I am through drinking that stale crap. Patience means you are failing and asking for more time. Do you think Burke in Toronto is crying about being patience. Burke is a real GM.
Gabby is being paid 40% more than Havlat. I bet he scores at least 50% more goals than Havlat. Still a stupid decision. I would rather have Gabby with Skoula (bite my tongue), than Havlat with any of the Dmen we signed. And what is the status of obtaining a number 2 center?
Why does Fletcher not want to comment on offering Gabby a contract. I hate GM’s that think the fans have no need to know. Look at how beloved Brad Childress is with the fans. Fletcher is acting the same way. Just don’t get why Fletcher couldn’t come right out and say…I did not offer Gaborik a contract? Is he afraid of what the fans reaction might be? BTW…are we now under a new 10 year plan with Fletcher…sure sounds like it.
Pwr2Ppl says:
July 10th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Oh boy…here we go AGAIN.
Indeed. Hmmm, when was Fletcher hired again? Oh yeah, roughly 2 months ago. How long did DR pull the ‘be patient’ crap? Oh yeah, 8 YEARS.
Yep, you’ve convinced me, CF=DR. We should just fire him and hire Pierre McGuire.
Russo not gone yet.
Breakfast!
M 03…belated Happy Birthday. We’ll definitely make note of that tonight! Thanks for the pub too…saves me the task of having to remind people that the Russoville House Band - 100 watt jones starts at 9:30 tonight at Whiskey Junction.
You forgot to mention your free birthday swag. Oh, that’s right…it’s not really a birthday present… I will get you your choice of a birthday drink tho…Dom Perignon excluded. Come to think of it, if Whiskey Junction had champagne I would be shocked!
ms.c said jones !
PwrPpl…patience after 2 months should be in abundance…patience after 9 years was in short supply.
WRT…I will not be at the X on Sunday. There’s a parade in Monticello and we promised the little ones that we would take them. Keep an eye out for potential Skoulas…you know what to look for…
Oh boy…here we go AGAIN. Playing the patience card.
You’re right! I think the entire world should follow this rule: no patience. Especially your work. The next time you get promoted, ask your boss and customers to not give you any leeway. No learning period, no training, and please make sure to tell him you are 100% comfortable getting fired if you make any mistake in your first couple months on the job.
Practice what you preach, and maybe then your opinion will matter.
Man… the trolls are getting to me lately.
-Indeed. Hmmm, when was Fletcher hired again? Oh yeah, roughly 2 months ago. How long did DR pull the ‘be patient’ crap? Oh yeah, 8 YEARS.
Yep, you’ve convinced me, CF=DR. We should just fire him and hire Pierre McGuire.-
LMAO, Goody.
Careful this weekend folks, looks like the trolls are still out in force (i.e. Pwr2Ppl)
Thanks ATX,
If you read my notes you’ll see that I thought Belanger might be the choice to fill the 2nd line void. The 3rd and 4th lines are going to be pretty fluid no matter what, the ice time will depend on who’s producing, and the desire to work Brod and Gilles in there this year.
But you seem to get my main point, we’re not solid up front without one more deal.
Still, I think Belanger is going to be a healthy scratch more often this year than in the last two, that or a team might be willing to take him in a trade if they will need a 3rd or 4th center coming back. Belanger only has one year left on a rather inexpensive contract. And as you see, we have too many low level centers.
There goes the dream of uniting the Wanvig-Wallin-Vellieux line from the 03 AHL Champs. I had high hopes for them…
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Swedish forward Rickard Wallin to a one-year contract.
Team president and general manager Brian Burke announced the deal on Friday.
The 29-year-old played 55 games last season for Farjestads in the Swedish Elite League, where he tied for the team lead in goals with 18, while adding 27 assists.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder was originally selected by Phoenix in the sixth round (160th overall) in the 1998 draft, but was traded to Minnesota in June 2000.
In 19 career NHL games from 2002 to 2004 with the Wild, he registered six goals and four assists.
Wallin won a bronze medal with Sweden at this year’s world championships in Switzerland.
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