More context on Tanguay to Bolts, what the Wild does next; How about Sykora?
Posted on August 29th, 2009 – 9:57 AMBy Michael Russo
Good Saturday morning to everybody. Wild players report for training camp two weeks from today with players taking the ice for the first time Sept. 13.
Regarding last night’s blog, RDS is reporting that free-agent winger Alex Tanguay has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This was a two-horse race between Minnesota and Tampa Bay, and the Wild’s offer — one-year, $2.5 million — was $500,000 more than Tampa Bay’s — at least originally. We’ll see when the numbers come out if the Lightning came up in price.
But when Tanguay sat on the Wild’s offer, it became extremely clear to me that Tanguay was going to Tampa Bay because the Bolts had promised Tanguay he’d be on a line with star center Vincent Lecavalier. But the Lightning had a lot more cap room than Minnesota, so I think Tanguay’s camp was just stalling with the hope of Tampa Bay coming up in price. We’ll see if they did.
Plus, look at the Lightning’s depth chart of top-six forwards, and Tanguay knew the Lightning needed him. Without him, Tampa’s second line was shaping up at Stephane Veilleux-Steven Stamkos-Brandon Bochenski. Now, you can put Tanguay-Lecavalier-Ryan Malone and potentially, believe it or not, Veilleux-Stamkos-Martin St. Louis.
In fact, Veilleux turned down a two-year deal in San Jose to take a one-year deal in Tampa because he was told there was potential of him playing on the second line.
The Bolts had about $51 million charged to the cap before Tanguay. The Wild is at exactly $54,403,494 (confirmed), so the Wild couldn’t go up a penny from its $2.5 million offer. In fact, if Tanguay had accepted the Wild’s offer, the team actually would have gone above the cap (you can go over the cap by 10 percent up until the last day of training camp).
The Wild could then have dumped salary by either making a trade or more likely starting second-year winger Colton Gillies in the minors. That would have brought the cap down to $55.86 million, giving the team barely enough room to make injury callups. The team also could have placed Craig Weller on waivers and started him in the minors to create another $600,000 of cap flexibility.
As it currently sits, the Wild has a little less than $2.4 million of cap space — really $3.4 million because I firmly believe that unless Gillies turns into a star in camp, the Wild will start him in the minors. That’s nothing against Gillies, who’s going to be a good NHLer, at all.
But inside the organization, a lot of people were unhappy with former GM Doug Risebrough handing jobs to James Sheppard and Colton Gillies even though Risebrough publicly said four years ago the Wild had made a transition and would no longer do this.
I’ve said this before, but most people around the league feels that inhibits development, not helps. Unless you’re going to be a star at 18, several teams like Detroit and New Jersey would prefer you to continue to be a star in junior, then gain confidence in the minors before making the giant jump to the NHL. For instance, Sheppard hasn’t even experienced being on a No. 1 power play in three years now. I don’t remember the Wild saying it was drafting him to develop into a third-line center.
Also, and this is the most important thing, your seven-year free-agent clock starts the second you play in the NHL. So the Wild has wasted two of Sheppard’s years toward free agency, and one for Gillies. In other words, Sheppard can become an unrestricted free agent in five years now because the Wild decided to use two of them for what was going to be his two most ineffective years anyway, rather than, say, two years in his mid-20s when his career would have been peaking.
This is the type of stuff that is so hard to recover from.
Personally, Tanguay going to Tampa isn’t the worst news for the Wild in my opinion. I was never sold. The Wild doesn’t need another playmaker. It needs another scorer, and I still firmly believe this league is going to see some very good players available next month or into the season. And quite frankly, you could even see good players on waivers.
As I wrote in today’s paper, Chicago, Vancouver, Detroit, Ottawa, Washington and Boston are over the cap right now. Chicago can get down by sending one of their goalies to the minors and Brent Sopel as well. I don’t know what Vancouver’s doing. The Canucks are over the cap and have about 26 players. Boston’s over if you consider Phil Kessel isn’t even signed.
Montreal, Philadelphia, Edmonton and Carolina are about $1 million from the cap. San Jose’s at $53.5 after yesterday’s trade, but with 17 players. So the only way it stays under is if it signs/keeps a bunch of 500K players.
Basically, my point is these teams have to create room somehow, so some teams with a little cap space should be able to get players cheaply via trade or for free (other than a little cash) via waivers.
The Wild has talked to San Jose this summer about Jonathan Cheechoo, I’ve been told. Whether the Sharks still want to move him after yesterday’s Christian Ehrhoff trade is another story though. I know the Wild would love to get Patrick Sharp, but as mentioned above, while Chicago eventually will probably have to trade a big player down the road, the Hawks can easily slip under the cap going into the season with a little nip and tuck. The Wild at one point was interested in Boston’s Kessel, but I don’t see how it could make the numbers fit now with only $2.4 million worth of cap space. It would have to give up salary to be able to sign him, and the Bruins can’t really take much salary right now.
I cannot make this any clearer. Other than what I reported to you near the Draft, all Dany Heatley/Wild trade rumors you read have been invented out of thin air. Unless something changes, the Wild has not had trade talks with Ottawa in six weeks regarding Heatley. Additionally, the Wild has no interest in Mike Comrie, I’ve been told.
So, in conclusion 
the current roster will likely still be the roster at the start of camp, but by late September, there’s a decent chance GM Chuck Fletcher will have the ability to make some alterations. Have a good weekend everybody.
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I will add this, however, and since I’m on blackberry now, I’ll just cut and paste from my twitter.com/russostrib, but I’ve always respected Petr Sykora’s game. I know Fletcher has talked to his agent about Sykora at some points this summer. His skating is the only big concern, especially with a potential top-six that includes Andrew Brunette and Owen Nolan, but …
@russostrib: One who could jell perfectly w @martinhavlat is UFA Petr Sykora. Maybe he’d be a fit for #mnwild? All he does is score 20 goals a year.
@russostrib: Sykora didn’t play a ton in playoffs, but…savvy vet, grt guy, has been a consistent #nhl scorer (300 goals) & Fletcher knows him
78 Responses to "More context on Tanguay to Bolts, what the Wild does next; How about Sykora?"
good stuff, Russo. Enjoy the applesauce and milk shakes!
PS: Chocolate covered bacon FTW!!!!!!!
Learn’d insight, Russo–thanks! I really like our chances for adding depth in September.
NiNY, sorry to hear you didn’t get that fight you wanted. Or were you threatened twice? The machismo on some sports blogs often makes details hazy.
u kidding? ‘no skill’ Veilleux on the second line? no way
Does anyone think if Marc Andre Bergeron would make good scoring forward? 14 goals last and a shooter.
I <3 me some good ol’ Veilleux but it’d be pretty silly if he was promised a spot on a second line.
Jim: The further MAB is from being a defensive liability, the better. Actually, being on offense might even improve his defensive game.
All that being said, I’m pretty sure this team is finished with that kind of experiment; and a lot of people would be pretty upset if that was our attempt to generate more offense.
Look you little smarta$$…I couldn’t find a little asian in a sea of 200,000 people, forgive me. I was looking. You could’ve just let it go but you had to come back in here and act tough. Just like a little weak a$$ would. Good for you. I would have made you into mince meat.
Is that macho enough?
Nice. Things are nice and hazy now.
several of us pined to see MAB tried out at forward last season. I have no idea if it would work, but it seemed like it might be worth a try.
I hate to do this to everybody but I was right again. Last year as you all should remember I created a big fuss similar to my Modano rant. I said, how could DR hand Gillies a job. You room with Burns in camp ??? During camp itself other forwards from Houston outperformed Gillies, and one of them was Clutterbuck.
Dr made a move that in my mind was not a calculated risk by keeping Gillies
Gillies to the minors ? Russo is doing management a favor by writing that comment. You cant undo what DR did last year with Gillies. Mister Know it all will be right again as Gillies will not spend the YEAR in Houston. They might send him down if they have to cut money from cap on a temp basis
I think my thought is he can score, is probably affordabe, proven pp guy and would be a spare experienced(?) d-man.
@Jim Appleton
hell no. MAB cant skate he’s a lazy ass.
Save your wad, then blow it on Ilya Kovalchuk. Still unsigned going into his last year. Trade to get him, no one is untouchable. This team needs a true center piece to build around.
My problem with trying MAB on O is that if a guy is that liable at his own position, the GM shouldn’t just experiment with him on O. He should drop the sucker and find a replacement.
There are tons of actual, natural offensemen out there that can put up the same offensive numbers.
Michael Russo: thanks for the updates and explanation. Gosh, two weeks & training camp.
NiNY: are you in MN (MSF, CCB bliss)?
Two weeks from today, camping out by the X for single game tickets.
Basically, my point is these teams have to create room somehow, so some teams with a little cap space should be able to get players cheaply via trade or for free (other than a little cash) via waivers.
This is exactly why I am okay with Fletcher playing the waiting game. I just hope it works in the Wild’s favor.
Austin: especially since the alternative would have been going over the cap on a guy that just doesn’t seem that well matched to our needs right now.
Gillies and Shep could use some time in Houston. Shep hopefully will be able to get something done this year, but I have never been impressed with Gill.
are u idiot?
Sheppard must clear waivers before he can be assigned to Houston
childish board…..
childish board…
The way I see it, you are the one being childish. Insulting people is pretty damn childish.
casualobserver didn’t say that we should send Shep to the MInors.. he/she only said he could USE some time down in the minors. I actually agree with that. Too bad it can’t happen.
Oh and Nick, I agree. Definitely no need to go over the cap for a PMB clone. I don’t hate the idea of Sykora though. I don’t know how much he would cost, but I would take his 20 goals a year for the Wild.
POLL: Assuming that the Wild don’t add additional players, will they make the playoffs?
Fletcher playing the waiting game
I was more pro Tanguay than most on a 1 year deal simply because I don’t want to be left standing with nothing after the salary cap dance or, perhaps even worse, taking on a bad contract. But if Fletcher is pining for Sharp or has had discussions about Cheechoo I guess rolling the dice may be the better option. Cheechoo has 2 years left on a $3 million cap hit deal.
That was my bad. Let me fix it before someone else goes off the deep end. I understand how the wavier and minor league system work. It would’ve been nice for Shep to develop in the minor system. We’re past that point with him now. I’m giving him a shot under the new system. Hopefully, he does something this year.
Based on Russo’s reporting I don’t think it is “Completely Rational” to assume they are not going to add another significant player.
actually they will ffs…..at least moderately…..just it takes a little while….
on vancouver….I still stand by my call….willie is gone….on espn’s story the gm of the cunuckleheads said “we want to add more depth and more skill to the defense this year” the bold words are exactly what willie has always lacked. plus he is easy to get rid of, as he is one of few that are on 1 year deals….so it is easy for another team to trade for him, or pick him up on waivers, and he makes enough, so that they can buy him out and lower the cap hit to squeze under the cap if all else fails.
i’m ok with sykora….only if we can’t get anyone else….
I am with russo/atx/nick/others on the waiting it out bandwagon….even though the waiting sucks…..
Assuming that the Wild don’t add additional players, will they make the playoffs?
Probably not.
Seriously, Cheechoo? Keep the money instead.
Cheechoo doesn’t do that much for me. Sharp yes but somehow can’t imagine the Hawks letting him go.
Sheppard will be just fine this year. Look how the Wild played those last few games knowing Lemaire was out the door. Sheppard was one of our best players just letting him play his game just like the rest of them. He’ll have a breakout year this year. Mark it down.
Harding can be on the second line, he should know goalie tendencies by now
I’m not sure I’d agree with the whole “Sheppard was one of our best players” during the last few games of the season theory.
I can recall Shep playing well at the end, but, in retrospect, how much of that was him saying FU to Jock? We’ll never know. Does that even matter now? If that’s what TR wants of him then maybe not. Just sayin’.
The Mr is grillin’ tri-tip. The dogs are behaving. And camp starts in two weeks. That makes me happy.
Shep might not of been the best but he was looking better and better near the end. He was with Gabby as well but I think it was a good confidence builder and he will be a great 3rd line center and might be able to play even more minutes than that and challenge for some minutes with some of the more skilled forwards
Today’s indication that the world is ending:
Pat Kane’s “sentence”: write the cabby an apology.
^sorry of that was already discussed. I’ve been gone for a few days.
What would the Wild trade for Cheechoo?
I know Cheechoo doesn’t have much value (at least among fans’ eyes) but he was buried on the 3rd line w/ Goc and Grier as linemates. Plus, he’s finally healthy. If given top 6 minutes, he should be good for 20 goals.
Harding would interest Sharks but I’m sure we’d have to add to the deal.
With regards to Shep. I happened to catch an interview with Shep by Gorg filling in on KFAN. I was shocked at how Sheps attitude was. Sounded horrible !
This guy will have to be an impact guy this year and it did not sound like he was aware of that.
I made note of the interview. If Fletcher knows that this guys head is not right before camp and he does not trade him now. That does not sound Savvy. We will wait and see
actually given the sharks need for dumping salary, we might be able to snag cheechoo for less than harding…..
unless of course people are pining for the cheech man…..
I will say I’ve always loved his name, and I wanted an nhl team at some time have a line of:
Cheechoo/Ruttu/Tootoo….
just good stuff there!
@argonbeast0034,
With yesterday’s salary dump of Ehrhoff & Lukovich, the Sharks don’t need to dump Cheechoo. THey can keep him and fill out their roster with some cap spare to spare.
Problem is Cheechoo doesn’t fit in the Sharks top 6.
I’d like to see the Sharks snag Harding. What would the Sharks have to add?
What would the Sharks have to add?
Pick(s). Are the Heatly to Sharks rumors still alive?
Would a 2nd or 3rd do?
How about this? Cheechoo + 2nd for Harding and a 6th or 7th.
Re: Heatley rumors, they’re still kicking around but yesterday’s dump of Ehrhof & Luko, didn’t free up enough space to deal for Heatley. It would take 2 of CHeechoo, Michalek and Clowe to get Heatley.
NiNY: I don’t think any one has mentioned much about Twentycent in a while. But I’ve been kinda in and out of here lately as well. Job hunting is hard work ya know. I read about the verdict on Mirtles blog. It kinda pissed me off the way that little dooschy boy got slap on the wrist and thats it.
Sharks guy, even with the salary dump, they still need 8 players and have just over 5 mil to play with…..luckily for you guys you have the exact opposite problem that we have….
we are lacking 2- 1 1/2 elite forwards…. (1 1/2 meaning one elite, and one good, and yes I do think cheech can be that half, if he is motivated.)
you guys are lacking the depth players…
cheech helps us…..but we are still missing that winger to pair with koivu, and havlatt that makes it a dominant first line.
I still think heater will end up in san jose, all parties seem to want it bad….marleau is the guy that gets moved to accomplish that, but marleau doesn’t want to go to ottawa, so they have to find a third team that he wants to go to or, as you said, package two or three good forwards to do it….
cheech and a second for harding and a 6th……sign me up…….
bruno/koivu/havlat
cheech/butch/nolan
mittens/shep/clutter
(clutter and nolan could swap if clutter improves enough)
Broadz/Bella/(insert f/a, or guy from houston……I’m all for bringing fitzy back for this spot at a reasonable price, but pouliot will more than likely get it)
Boogey/weller on bench (or send weller on waivers, and sign fritzy, and pool boy can be the popcorn machine)
@Argon
Thanks for the take on the deal. Sharks will need a goalie post-Nabokov (UFA after this season) and it seems Harding will want out instead of re-signing and being Backstrom’s backup.
Sharks will fill out the roster by re-signing Mitchell and Staubitz. Then likely promote Moore and Joslin to play 6 & 7 dmen. Then have 2 more roster spots to fill - one for the 3rd line filled likely via UFA (Pyatt, Malhotra and MOore are still out there) and the last is the 14th fwd spot so an AHLer who wins it in camp. This assume they trade Cheechoo. Otherwise, they’ll only need the 1 backup fwd spot.
So far all indications are Marleau won’t waive. THings could change, sure.
Change Harding to Danny Irmen and you’ve got a deal.
On the realm of complete wastes of time, I just spent an hour trading on nhl 09, so that the cunuckleheads have a third line of cheecho/ruttu/tootoo.
so hopefully they don’t change anything so I can hear gary thorne saying those names back to back to back…..if they ever touch the puck!
…..I shouldn’t be as proud of this as I am…..maybe it’s a cry for help?
Dump Weller now for cap space…
Gotta find a place for Harding with good return…
Shep is poison, trade him now…
Cheecho… no thanks
Sharp… in a heartbeat
Sykora… meh
MAB at forward… better than Weller, very small….
Good to have you back for a bit Russo! You were missed this past month!
Harding & Shep to Chicago for Sharp and a 3rd?
Contracts would work for both teams. Chicago is under the cap with 2 young guys. Minny gets a pick and Sharp who would fit great on this team.
I would love that deal… thoughts?
Thats why san jose cant past the 1st round because they want to pick up guys like veipoo-i cant beleive they were going to give him 2yrs. The wild have to get rid of 2 more useless players-gillies and shep.
JMO, folks…
Cheechoo is better than anything else out there. He has shown he can score when put together with a playmaker (Koivu, Belanger, PMB?) who could actually get him the puck.
If the numbers would work, Cheechoo-for-Harding would not be that far-fetched. Throw in lower-round picks to make it more palatable, and the inimitable words of Monty Hall, ‘Let’s Make a Deal!’
Now, off to the State Fair.
If we get Sykora, we will have one hell of a mentor program going on. I think we have enough veterans.
Cheech has been on the decline since 05-06. I remember the Sharks mid-season last year saying he put too much pressure on himself and he would rebound becasue he was surrounded by talented players; it didn’t happen. I like the upside if the price is right, but I’m a little concerned that his ego bruises easily. Then again, anyone born in a Moose Factory has to be a good hockey player.
Now, off to the State Fair.
Man, I have to wait a whole week to go to the fair!
I failed to read much yesterday so I was just reading Sharks Fan’s take on the Cheechoo Train for Harding trade. I find it interesting that he automatically assumed that the Sharks would have to add something on top of Cheech to get Harding out of Minny. Maybe we are not ‘overvaluing’ Harding after all? I would probably take the Harding for Cheechoo trade. We all know he can score… it’s just a matter of if he will or not. I love it when fans of other teams swing by and chat. It’s great to get an outsiders perspective on things.
Hardimg will be more valuable in season or camp when a starter goes down…Trade Shepp, Gilles to Dallas. Can’t Johnnson be moved to a team looking for a puck carrier? We have very few untouchables,trade for needs and begin the rebuilding before next year when $$$ frees up.
4 rest . This team needs more scoring upfront. Its not Fletchers doing but he has 48% of his cap on Dmen and goalies, so logically they are strong in that area.
I think the intent is to bring the Dmen into the offense with exception to Zanon, Hnidy and Scott, their job is to make the other teams forwards sorry they tried to score.
The Dmen they are expecting to join the offense is Schultz, Burns, Johnny, Zidlicky, Cuma
With so much spent on Defense the only options is veterans unless you trade away your youth.
Now you know why I said Modano, if it was an option for Dallas and it could be made into a reasonable trade. IF, IF Fletcher tried, it must not be workable at this MOMENT, which makes some sense because Modano is hockey in Dallas. On the other hand he wont play in Dallas next year so it might make sense for Dallas to try to get something for him at sometime. The middle of the season when thngs may not be going good the fans could understand better if management moved him
Modano?
I’ve heard of him but isn’t he currently under contract somewhere?
Again…there is time. Get a player that fits, not just get a player for the sake of doing it.
All we are saying….is give Fletch a chance.
KJ,
Modano is just not anybody- He is the best player to be drafted by a Minnesota pro team. He was the best player to put on a North Star jersey. He is the number 1 american born hockey player. He is just not anybody.
We have already discussed this before. I know he is under contract for this remaining year. My point is he said he wanted to play here, so see if you can get him. If Fletcher has not looked into it, then shame on him.
Yes KJ, we will give Fletcher a chance. Its obvious he is Savvy.
The thing is you have to wonder if he did not choose Richards to be coach if he would have taken Vaclav Prospal. He signed for 1.1 Million. Rookie coach and high maintenance player, I wonder ??
On the radio this afternoon, Boogie on 830 am just after 2 pm.
Modano…best player ever in MN?
I think Kirby Puckett was pretty good.
kj: how was your day at the MSF? Favorite food(s)? Might be able to attend next weekend, looking forward to the food marathon.
rt Russo: Greenlay to Boogaard: “is there enough red on that sweater or are you going to add some of your opponent’s red to that sweater?” Crowd roars
12 minutes ago from TwitterBerry
M 03…
Garlic fries. Corn dog.
Pickle dogs. Even better is their fire dog. Pickle dog (pickle, cream cheese, pastrami) with jalapenos. Yum.
I’ve always liked about a foot long hot dogs.
I’m simple. Many would agree.
Horrible new jersey. What is up with this team and their terrible marketing? First the name…then the logo…then the pathetic theme song…then adding a mascot…now another pathetic jersey. Don’t get me started about having the little kid skate to center ice before the start of every game. Really gets you in the mood for a big game don’t it? Wait, having a chick sing the national anthem does. Another terrible decision.
Are they going to even try and market to a 36 year old that grew up with the old NHL?
Or maybe doesn’t it rather than don’t it. As we used to say back home, “Get bent”.
Best pro hockey player ever drafted in Minnesota was Modano. Gaborik can create a case but he will have to get started
Go Gopher- Its because of pro hockey being here before is teh reason why it is this strong. Leopold can see who is buying the tickets
I am so tired of hearing everyone complain. Be thankful we have a team. We could be like Nashville or like when the Stars left us. If you are going to complain about who we get then what makes you a true MN Wild fan.
“But when Tanguay sat on the Wild’s offer, it became extremely clear to me that Tanguay was going to Tampa Bay because the Bolts had promised Tanguay he’d be on a line with star center Vincent Lecavalier.”
Sure, sport. Whatever you say. You’re such a fu**in’ know-it-all.
Why can’t the Wild employ a decent beat writer? This clown’s so busy tooting his own menial horn that he has little worthwhile to say.
Russo, it’s amazing that you actually get paid to be such a farce.
Minnesota Wild Fan -
You’re kidding, right? The reason I’m a true MN Wild fan is because I expect them to win a Cup some day…not because I take every mediocre attempt on their part to better the team as some act of nobility.
Also, last I checked, Nashville still has a team, so your point is doubly ignorant.
Let me guess: you have man-boobs.
Lala (aka Mike),
Wild doesn’t employ Russo, StarTribune does.
DUH!
Hey Lala72 I meant for you to go jump off the bridge with the rest of the world. At least i have a set of balls to go with them un like you. I can’t beleive some of the idiot comments people make on here. Seriously Lala grow up and get a job.
Maybe we should start a riot because the Wild haven’t won a cup yet on the season opener.
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[…] As I guessed last weekend here, the Wild is considering making a contract offer to free-agent winger Petr Sykora, multiple sources tell me. […]
