Wild acquires Kobasew; Bouchard on LTI
Posted on October 18th, 2009 – 7:21 PMBy Michael Russo
Updated: The Wild has traded Craig Weller, a second-round pick in 2011 and the rights to Alex Fallstrom, the Shattuck-St. Mary’s kid taken in the fourth round last June, to the Boston Bruins for forward Chuck Kobasew.
The pick is in 2011, meaning Fletcher will have plenty of time to acquire a second-round pick to replace it, especially with a potential selloff of free agents in the future this season. Also, to be able to acquire Kobasew, the Wild has placed Pierre-Marc Bouchard on Long-Term Injury (LTI) relief status, which essentially means the Wild can go about dollar for dollar over the cap with Bouchard’s salary for the time he’s out. When he comes back, the Wild have to fall back in line with the cap. Bouchard’s cap hit is $4.08 mill. Kobasew’s is $2.33 mill
Bouchard’s going to be out awhile.
Petr Sykora’s been placed on injured reserve to get Kobasew on the roster. It’s retroactive to the San Jose game, so Sykora can come off if he’s able to play Wednesday and the Wild will have to make another roster move. In fact, with Kobasew here, I’d assume they’ll send somebody to Houston in the next day or so anyway.
Kobasew’s got this year and next left on a contract before he can become an unrestricted free agent. Fletcher said that was key, that Kobasew was contractually obligated for another season. Fletcher pushed for the pick to be 2011 because he wanted all his picks for next year’s draft and it would give him this season and next to try to replace the second-rounder, and let’s be honest, with so many UFA’s, if this season does head south, there could be a fire sale of sorts down the road.
I think that possibility made it easier for Fletcher to give up Fallstrom. There’s a chance the Wild could be picking up picks and prospects come trade deadline time. I’ve always heard good things about Fallstrom (and obviously the Bruins valued him as he plays right around the corner at Harvard), so it could be a steep price. But, Fallstrom probably has three full years at Harvard at least, so he was a ways away from being here.
Losing Weller is a coup. Wild doesn’t have to pay his $625,000 salary anymore in Houston. So, if you assume Fletcher can eventually acquire a second-round pick to replace this second, this was Fallstrom for Kobasew. We’ll know how that works out in about five years. Is Fallstrom a bust, or is he the second coming of Tomas Holmstrom? We will see.
As for Kobasew, who’s hit the 20-goal plateau in three of the past four years, I know a lot of people in Boston, and the scouting report from a bunch is this: “Good skater, works hard, drives to the net relentlessly, plays bigger than his size, has some skill, generates a ton of scoring chances for others but needs many scoring chances for him to be the scorer, is streaky undersized for the way he plays, which is very gutsy. Just goes to the net, plays hard on the wall. Because of that, he does get injured often. Best fit as a third-liner on a good team, but can be a second-liner on a bad team. Teammates love him. Reporters love him. Well-spoken, great guy.”
Talked to Shane Hnidy, who played with Kobasew the past two seasons in Boston.
He said his cell phone rang, and “I was like, Why’s Chuck Kobasew calling me? I wonder if we just traded for him.”
The Wild did. Coincidentally, it was Hnidy who broke Kobasew’s ankle in the season opener last year. It happened in the first period. He played the rest of the game, but missed the next 12. “I was amazed he played the whole game. I felt terrible,” Hnidy said.
Kobasew played through much of last year’s playoffs with broken ribs.
Kobasew was excited for the new opportunity. He says he loves playing in Minnesota, and he knows it well from coming here often with the Calgary Flames.
That’s it. I’m out.
201 Responses to "Wild acquires Kobasew; Bouchard on LTI"
I like that we picked up a 20 goal scorer, but giving up another pick hardly seems like a prudent move for the future of the club. I guess you can’t play a bunch of 3rd and 4th liners until our top players get healthy.
They need finishers. Kobasew has also played all 3 fwd positions w/ previous teams, so he’s another guy that can play anywhere to stay in the lineup.
Nice pickup.
Wow. I am surprised that Fletcher gave up a prospect and a pick.
I know the Wild are struggling and the fans are growing weary, but this doesn’t seem like something a rebuilding team would do. Kobasew is a UFA after next season…and I don’t think we are a contender this year or next, so why trade a prospect and a pick for a 40 pt 27 year old a year away from free agency?
If this is the beginning of several trades, then I will hold judgment but my first impression is that this was a knee-jerk reaction from a rookie GM who is feeling the pressure.
best Wild trade ever (kinda sad isn’t it)
Wow, we have some haters already. This was a very good move by Fletcher. We need some help, and Kobasew will help. Gotta get some kind of base to work off of.
Never seen much of Kobasew, i see that he’s a 20 goal score which is nice. I liked Fallstrom though, he was great at the Prospect camp.
Also any trade that gets rid of Weller is OK by me.
IS this guy worth that price? I have never heard of him…
Was not expecting this, but seems like a good move in the long run. Give up a second round pick for a young(ish) player who came out of the first round.
Also funny - the pick we used to get Fallstrom came from Boston. What goes around comes around.
I like the trade overall, but with the “cupboard bare”, keeping picks would seem like a priority. Time will tell, but at least Fletcher has his head in the game and willing to be proactive in helping this team acquire offense.
I don’t like it.
It’s not like Kobasew is going to bring us to the next level. He was playing on Boston’s third line.
Getting rid of Weller, sure. But a second and Fallstrom (who is a promising prospect) in a year which we are going to tank even after the trade, probably not the smartest.
Here is to hoping there is a Second trade coming where we move Harding and a Nolan and Mittens for picks and prospects.
Would have liked it better if we gave up Fallstrom OR a second not both. But we will see what happens i guess
[…] Russo’s Rants » Blog Archive » Wild acquires Kobasew blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/wildblog/2009/10/18/wild-acquires-kobasew – view page – cached The Wild has traded Craig Weller, a second-round pick and the right to Alex Fallstrom to the Boston Bruins for forward Chuck Kobasew. — From the page […]
So we’re restocking the cupboards by trading away prospects and picks? This annoys me more then losing games.
Once everyone is healthy (assuming they all get healthy) we will have 7 scorers with 20+ goal potential in Havlat, Koivu, Sykora, Nolan, Clutterbuck (he has it in him), Brunette, and now Kobasew. That makes 2-3 lines with great scoring potential. This is a good move despite coming at a high price. If Shep or Pouliot step up their games (Poo has been showing this the past two games) we look to be in good shape. Now they all just have to get healthy and start playing like they want it.
How does this affect our cap situation? I thought we were only $800K from the cap and Kobasew has a cap hit of $2.33 million?
Also, how do we take on his 2.5 mil in salary? Weren’t we really close to the cap already?
i love chukie but this is brutal trade
fire idiots (fletcher+ richards)
cmn kids
PMB on LTIR .. players on LTIR does not hit the cap
Getting rid of Weller, sure. But a second and Fallstrom (who is a promising prospect) in a year which we are going to tank even after the trade, probably not the smartest.
I kinda agree with this. It seems like some of the Bruins fans over at HFBoards are pretty high on Fallstrom. I do like the sound of Kobasew though. The Bruins fans over there say he was on of the fastest guys on the team, and he never tooka shift off. Sounds like something the WIld definitely needs at this point.
PMB on LTIR .. players on LTIR does not hit the cap
I assumed that.. but what happens when PMB comes off IR?
To Ilovegabby
Are you really suggesting that we fire both our coach and GM when the season isn’t even 10 games in? Wow.
I spoke too soon, thinking the 2nd round pick was this year.
With it being in 2011, I agree with Russo. It’s a decent move…Kobasew is a fast guy who works hard and will do the dirty work and get on the scoresheet. He fits into the new system and we will get picks at the trade deadline this year a lot of our vets.
I was worried that it was a 2010 2nd which might be 31-35 which wouldn’t make sense.
We trade him (PMB, sorry WATX) or someone else, or perhaps there are other trades in the works that will help out in the long run? Cap numbers make my head hurt.
Ummm….. PMB does count against the cap. Only that with him LTIR, it allows us to spend beyond the cap.
However, when he does get better and comes off LTIR, then Fletcher needs to make another move.
clear departure from the previous regime. That’s good IMO.
As for the deal itself, not how Russo mentions Fletch has all kinds of time to “replace” the pick before the 2011 draft. That’s key I think.
You wanted a GM with the sack to pull the trigger…looks like we got him.
As to whether or not Kobasew is the second coming of Gretzky, no he’s clearly not, but you can’t get blood from a stone, you know. Reported to be a pretty barren landscape out there. You do what you have to do. Was it desperate? Maybe. But we are significantly banged up right now, and have dropped 5-straight. I’d say we’re getting pretty desperate…
sorry… should be “NOTE” how Russo mentions…my bad.
People who are calling for Fletcher and Richards to be fired know nothing about hockey. They are doing the best with what they got. Give Fletcher time to bring in who he wants. This team is still geared for DR and JL, it takes time to get rid of bad contracts.
I am really curous to see what shakes down when OMB comes off IR… I really hope we can keep the little FSM.
bad contracts, no prospects, and few draft picks. I agree, give the new regime some time.
I’m sure I’ll like him better than Chuck Knoblauch. Knoblauch swam to the island one night. He got to shore and walked right into the Missing Link herd. Luckily these Missing Links don’t shy away from a fight like their cousin Dion, and Blauch-Head got worked over pretty good.
That was what I was thinking,NiNY… was this a desperate move? Being 1-6 I am sure doesn’t sit well with Fletcher and Leipold.
At the moment, it seems like a wash.
Try and unload Nolan? Doesn’t seem he’s helping the team much but could be this year’s Guerin, grizzled vet with some grit and pop in his stick who could help a team that’s more a playoff contender. (L.A.? Anaheim? New Jersey? Lamiorello needs an old guy to replace Shanahan.)
Kevin, I love IGoW, but that seems pretty logical.
“it takes time to get rid of bad contracts.”
LOL. from who? Kobasew?
cmn kid
3rd liner w 2.33M cap hit for 2nd round pick + prospect
we need to think of how to rebuild via the draft & not trade away future talent and picks for 3rd liners
Guys that are likely to be traded at the deadline are Nolan, Johnsson, or Zids. I could see Boogaard be traded too.
Other team’s 3rd liners become our 2nd liners and even first liners.
That’s nothing really new.
He has great speed which we could desperately use!!!
Let me start off by saying I think Fletcher will do a good job…but if this would have been Riser, the you know what would have hit the fan here. The same people who whine about the cupboard being bare are now calling this a great move?
NINY - How is this a departure from the previous regime? Is it because it was done during the season instead of the offseason…because this seems like exactly the type of move the old regime would have made.
Havlat played on Chicago’s third line for at least some part of last season. Don’t pay too much attention to line placements for some players. Sometimes it’s how they best fit on a particular team. Kobasew, for instance, faced competition from Kessel, Michael Ryder (27 goals) and Blake Wheeler (+36, 21 goals) for right wing time. Milan Lucic and Marco Sturm were wingers for the other side…so just because Kobasew was on Boston’s third line doesn’t mean he has no game, no skill, and is just a role player.
It’s a good pickup. Whether the price was right will depend on Fallstrom’s progress as a player, and it’s hard to tell how prospects pan out. It’s not a bad move trading an unknown prospect for a semi-proven player in Kobasew.
Most of the Boston fans seem to think that he is better than the 3rd line status he had out East. Just an FYI.
NINY - How is this a departure from the previous regime? Is it because it was done during the season instead of the offseason…because this seems like exactly the type of move the old regime would have made.
If Richards has heard of Kobasew than this is a radical departure from DR 
The reward of Kobasew being a fit in the new system and helping to bridge the transition seem to clearly outweigh the risk. Even if you don’t like CF, you can’t judge him until he has made a series of moves. None of the serious DR’s detractors called for him to be fired until last year.
Fletcher is a FOOL. This is a Doug Risebrough move. Giving up a second round pick, which in all likelihood will be a high 2nd rounder is insane. SIGH!!!!!!!!!
God give CF a break!!! It’s not like he traded for Chris Simon. The guy has some skill & we could use him.
God give CF a break!!! It’s not like he traded for Chris Simon. The guy has some skill & we could use him.
I thought we liked Weller. 
FWIW, I would rather have the Wild finish dead last, and have a great draft, than pick up a player that will get us a few more victories, but really no closer to a cup. Again….Foolish foolish move by a rookie GM that would rather have a mediocre team now as opposed to rebuilding to have a great team for the future. We already played this game with Risebrough. In fact, I think Risebrough had a face transplant and is still running this franchise. At least the off season moves and this trade reek of Risebrough.
I fail to understand how some are so upset about giving up the pick. IT’S A 2011 PICK! Fletcher will have an extended amount of time to replace it, and he’s gonna have many opportunities in the next year to get it back.
Short term gain at the risk of our future….a trademark of Doug Risebrough. Sorry, will this trade help us push for a cup this year. If the answer is no, and if the answer is that the Wild will win a few more games and move down in the draft….Terrible move.
Pray tell how Fletcher will recoup some picks…WITH WHAT. Risking our decent players? Again, heading backwards.
A trademark of Risebrough? No, a trademark of Riser is sitting on his hands doing nothing or making a move for Chris Simon. People complained when he did nothing. Now Fletcher brings in help, and people complain. I get it. You want the team to tank on purpose. I don’t believe Fletcher would find much pride in that especially since he’s trying to prove himself. No, I don’t believe the Wild will get close to the playoffs this year. But I would hope that many Minnesotans value the game enough to appreciate an effort rather than sucking on purpose with the hopes of winning 3-5 years down the road.
I don’t get it. People whine when the team doesn’t put forth the effort. People complain about the new coach and GM not doing their jobs. And now people complain when the front office doesn’t suck on purpose.
I thought we liked Weller.
Definitely not me. Glad to see him go personally. We barely saw any of his toughness while he was up with the Wild. The big loss in this trade IMO is that 2011 2nd rounder. But hopefully they can get that 2nd rounder back in another trade. It may have been too early to give up on Fallstrom too..
NHL 1679: I agree DR would have done nothing. Fletcher is the reason why I feel comfortable with the state of the Wild. I know he will work his ass off to do whatever he can do
Thanks sunshine…you stole my comment!!!
I guess it was your comment since you posted first.
The trade give help right now. You don’t make the playoffs in October, but you can be eliminated from them.
How can Fallstrom be a great prospect when the Wild’s prospects are held with such little regard around the league?
There will be plenty of opportunity to replenish the pick with trade deadline deals if Kobasew doesn’t get them to the playoffs.
Like NiNY said…a GM with stones.
For all the folks out there who say they “trust” Fletcher, here’s the first real test for your trust. If Kobasew comes in and makes an impact immediately (like Brodziak with a little more polish) then I like the move. The Miettenan’s and Sheppard’s on the roster are going to start getting cold riding the pine for long stretches of games. This move has a hint of desperation. I think CF is trying to stop the bleeding of this current lineup and doing what he can to make the team more competitive today as opposed to 3-4 yrs from now (prospect & pick). CF is smart enough to know he won’t be here in 3-4 yrs unless something is done immediately.
Brodziak is really growing on me so if that was CF’s call (as opposed to TR’s demand) then I like CFs judgement and eye for talent.
I can hear CF saying to Boston’s GM, “alright if I have to give up a 2nd and Fallstrom you have to take this putz (Weller) off my hands”.
The SODR is beginning to fade.
A little about Kobasew
Kobasew became only the third first-year player to win MVP honors in the Hockey East Conference tournament, joining Brian Leetch (1987) and Scott Lagrand (1990). He led all Hockey East freshmen with 27 goals and helped Boston College capture the NCAA championship.
The 5-11, 195-pound native of British Columbia was the unanimous selection as Hockey East Rookie of the Year and was named outstanding player at the Frozen Four.
“I grew up watching the teams from the west and I just feel fortunate to be picked by a team out west,” Kobasew said.
A good skater with outstanding acceleration, he possesses a strong, accurate shot but was ranked 20th among North American prospects by NHL Central Scouting.
The thing is that we’ve got some free agents to let loose this summer. The only difference is Fletcher won’t be dumb enough to let all of them walk for free. And one or two of them could snatch up something from a desperate team around the trade deadline. He’s got time and the tools to potentially replace that pick. That’s the only reason I’m not upset over losing it.
Chuck Kobasew
Bundles of energy and not afraid to hit anyone… One of the team’s fastest skaters… Not afraid to go to danger areas for tips and rebounds.
Again….ummm… we can’t have Mittens “riding the pine for long.” That’s $2.33 million cap hit.
If that’s the case, then I would rather Mittens be gone that Weller. Its easier to swallow a $500K loss than a a $2.33 million cap hit.
But if we lose our free agents, who do we replace them with??? That is the issue. It seems no one wants to come to the Wild. We can not afford to give up talent and replace them with draft choices. Fletcher has his work cut out for him this upcoming offseason. The Wild fans, based on comments on this board, are throwing this season out the window, but you can bet we expect a big playoff push in the 2010-2011 season.
Two thoughts. First, we’re already making moves which is exactly what we had been asking for as fans. If this is the only move we made this season it would be bad, but don’t count on it. When/if PMB comes back I’m pretty sure we’ll be over the cap so we’ll be doing something for sure.
Second, Fletch might think we’re not all that bad this season and wants us to compete. I don’t really want to see us tank for a pick, but apparently some people do.
NHL1679: Sometimes you have to let them walk away if there is not a clamoring for them. You can’t tell me that there was a need for Demitra a year ago?
They wanted Rolston not Demitra. DR’s fault for not signing him sooner instead only got a 4th round pick for him.
However, I think this trade deadline we do have some guys that other teams might want — specifically Johnsson, Zidlicky, and Nolan.
And FWIW, Nick Leddy is a LONNNGGGGGG way off from being NHL ready. I watched the Gophers the past 2 nights and Leddy played…uh…ok. Still not sure that was the best pick we could have made. Time will tell.
It seems no one wants to come to the Wild.
Under Lemaire and co. sure… but it’s a totally different mindset now… we have no idea if FA’s will want to come here or not. THis trade deadline will really tell the tale. But we are already seeing a change in the fact that Havlat and Sykora were both hyped on coming here.
Maybe being hit in both papers in black and white with “Worst start in Wild history” help move this deal along.
Other comments found recently for Kobasew. I like the fit and the Wild dump Weller which is always a good thing
A healthy Kobasew is good for 20-plus goals a season. He scored 21 last season in a 42-point campaign. He can also kill penalties, and, when necessary, he will drop the gloves, as he did last Saturday with Michael Blunden in a 4-2 loss to visiting Columbus, the Bruins’ final preseason tuneup.
Kobasew might even be used as a point man on the power play. Asked about his expectations, Kobasew was typically terse: “I’ve got to play better on both ends of the ice. I’ve got to contribute more offensively, improve my forecheck.’’
But for the most part, much of the same will be expected. Not that it should be a problem.
“He’s one of our most reliable guys on the team,’’ said Recchi. “He will come out every night, work hard for you, and be there as a teammate.’’
Recchi called Kobasew “one of the team’s unsung heroes,’’ a sentiment Julien concurred with.
“He’s one of those streaky goal scorers; when he gets on a roll, he scores in bunches,’’ Julien said. “But one thing you never question with Chuck is his work ethic. He works hard every night, competes hard every night, and he’s a very focused individual. He’s very professional, devoted to his job.’’
Its only FA will we know if players want to come to the Wild not at the trade deadline. FA, players choose where they want to go. Trade deadline — GMs choose where they want the players to go (unless said player has a NTC).
“Again….ummm… we can’t have Mittens “riding the pine for long.” That’s $2.33 million cap hit.”
How much do you think player salaries factor in to TR’s decision re: playing time. He’s going to play the players who give us a chance to complete. Mitten’s has be invisible. He makes Yawnson look like a bad-ass.
I’d love to trade Mitten’s too, but there has to be a market for his contract and soft play.
Sorry sunshine… that’s what I meant.
Pew: it doesn’t matter to Richards but I bet it sure matters to Fletcher. And, I would bet that Fletcher wouldn’t like to waste $2.33 million riding the pines for a significant amount of time.
Sunshine: Note that Fletcher realizes he needs to do something for his coach so he can justify Richards job. If this team goes in the toilet the fans of Minnesota will want the coaches job. Actually I would rather fire the owner if this all falls apart or even if it does not.
This looks like a nice trade for the Wild
I like the move. Speed and grit are always needed, especially this year.
I guess he’ll be on the second line for a while.
It sort of looks like PMB may have a fatal injury
sunshine: Of course you have to let some walk, but not all of them…certainly not the valuable ones. That’s what Doug did. As you pointed out, Riser made one too many mistakes. He’d wait till the last minute to negotiate contracts. We got next to nothing for Rolston as the result. He kept changing his mind about when he’d move Gabby last season and finally it backfired after #10 got hurt. Like you said, we’ve got two or three guys that could bring in something around the deadline if a desperate team is either on the verge or in the playoffs.
Doug left us with no real tools to make this team better in the short-term. It’s gonna be rough for a while, and I’m prepared for it. Yes, we’ll get some nice picks, because I don’t believe this team is gonna survive this season. But don’t fail without trying. To those who feel that tanking is the answer, consider this. The bigger names, such as Koivu, will have contracts up in a couple of years. Do you think he’d want to re-sign knowing the club is willing to plummet for a few years? If that’s the team’s mentality, then trade him now. Because it’d be a waste of talent.
If Fletch was as negative as most of the wailing I’ve been reading he wouldn’t have taken this gig. Give the guy a chance he’s betting a career…
Pewter you took the words right out of my mouth. It is not Tr’s fualt Mittens is over paid for what he brings to the table. Be patient, I have a feeling this is just the start of the dismanteling of the previous regime. People need to remember that for the most part this is a team that was assembled to play a defensive style of hockey. I have a feeling there will be several moves made this year and at some point we will get a draft pick back and probably even a prospect or two. As far a PMB I think it is going to be a while before we have to worry about his salary cap hit, if at all this year?
wait a second,I did not realize they put Fallstrom in the deal… hmmm this deal looks more like Fletcher and Leipold try to save their asses. Russo did not post that tidbit of valuable info
Alexander Fallstrom
Right Wing - MIN
HEIGHT: 6′ 2″
WEIGHT: 192
Shoots: Right
BIRTHDATE: Sep 15, 1990 (AGE 19)
BIRTHPLACE: Gothenburg, Sweden
DRAFTED: MIN / 2009 NHL Entry Draft
ROUND: 4th (116th overall) - PROSPECT BIO
“So, if you assume Fletcher can eventually acquire a second-round pick to replace this second, this was Fallstrom for Kobasew.”
Wrong Mike - this isn’t Fallstrom for Kobasew. To acquire another second round pick the Wild will have to give up someone else to get the second rounder back…so it’s Fallstrom and a second round pick for Kobasew no matter how you try to spin it!!
NHL1679…
+3
I am encouraged by this move. It should light a fire under Bifgoot…
the Wild will have to give up someone else to get the second rounder back…
But if the trade to regain a 2nd rounder involves a UFA that is too expensive (or unwilling) to resign, it becomes a wash. I don’t think Russo is all wrong. But it definitely depends on the move that brings the 2nd rounder back to us.
Yes, I misspelled it on purpose.
But it definitely depends on the move that brings the 2nd rounder back to us.
Can we still get something for Gho$t??? 
Maybe NY still has some used pucks we can nab kj.
I guess the Wild need more forecheckers for their system.
Nolan, Sykora, Bouchard, Mittens, and Bruno weren’t going to cut it.
Sounds like Kobasew is a much better version of Stephen Villeaux
Dave Richter,
He better be a quantum leap better than Velliux.
“But if the trade to regain a 2nd rounder involves a UFA that is too expensive (or unwilling) to resign, it becomes a wash”
No, it doesn’t become a wash…the Wild would have TWO second rounders instead of one if this trade didn’t take place!!
Mpls Guy I disagree. Is two second rounders better than a second rounder and a guy who can score 20+ that can play TODAY? I don’t think so. You must be one of those fans who want the team to tank on purpose and stockpile draft picks.
Agree we have 1st rounders who cant score 10 goals…
I wasn’t commenting whether or not I thought was a good move…was just stating that it was not a one for one trade…gave up a second round pick as well as a prospect.
Well, Dave, he better be a better version of SRV. He’s getting paid almost 3 times as much.
*are… not is.
Mpls Guy… and all I am saying is that when you replace that 2nd rounder with another one (only if it is a FA that won’t resign or is too expensive) this trade becomes Fallstrom + Weller for Chuckie. Which, IMO, is not too bad. I would like to have seen where Fallstrom could go though…
Like I said the trade is a wash…. but if adding Kobasew puts us out of the Top 5 pick in 2010 (for those hoping for a tanking season for Hall)…….?
Would it still be worth it?
Austin - if and when we reacquire a second at the deadline it will be from a cup contender and hence a pick in the 50’s instead of the 30’s - not a wash!!
Assuming Weller is a give away, it can never logically be a one for one trade…as we gave up in this trade a prospect and a second for one player!
People, people…let’s all take s step down memory lane, shall we?
Let’s remember last season, when Gaborik was hurt, and Skoula was in the middle of his ‘contract drive’, and Miettinen was on that six-goal scoring streak…come to think of it, he didn’t score too many after that, now, did he?
Kobasew was always a pain the the rear when he was with Calgary. He’s not sfraid to go into a corner for the puck (unlike the FSM) and he can actually put biscuit in basket.
This is how an NHL franchise should be run. CF is doing what needs to be done. The only difference is that Wild fans need to get used to it. They are too used to DR’s ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ attitude. Now, if he can unload some more of the dead weight on the Wild, all the better for it.
let’s think positive for a moment — the Wild might pull a 02-03 and the 2nd rounder we get will be in the 50s, too?
Hmmmmm…..that might be too much wishful thinking
if and when we reacquire a second at the deadline it will be from a cup contender and hence a pick in the 50’s instead of the 30’s -
That is your most logical argument so far. But that is not really a guarantee. We could possibly get a pick from a mid-range team that is competing for a playoff spot, and that would put that pick right back where we would have had it anyway. But then again, who knows what this team will be doing in the 10-11 season… it could be a top 5, or it could be a mid-range pick… no one really knows. I still don’t think the 2nd rounder is the scariest part of the trade… Fallstrom is. Weller is garbage and doesn’t even count as a part of the trade IMO.
I agree Austin…just hate seeing 2 more propsects out the window instead of some of the overpaid garbage on the roster.
Finally some good freakin’ news! And isnt awesome we have a GM that isnt afraid to make sensible trades? Chuckie-boy, this link is for you!
http://www.colectiva.tv/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/lkzyz89efm_clap.gif
Me too Mpls Guy. But I am willing to give Fletch the chance to put his stamp on the team and see what happens. This is just the first of what may be a bunch of moves. I may not LOVE this trade, but I definitely don’t HATE it either. Let’s see what else happens and then judge.
It’s really driving me crazy reading some of these comments. Do you want to win games or not or just watch them lose. Kobasew will work great in our system and it’s a 2011 DRAFT PICK! 2 summers away and with many pending free agents that will be drafted we will have more than enough draft picks come that draft. See how he isn’t moving any of the 2010 draft picks? Fallstrom may have talent but it’s a fourth round pick that’s playing at Harvard a minimum of 3-4 years away. Not like we traded our top prospect. I’m guessing the trade was Kobasew for Fallstrom + Pick but the Wild said if we do this Weller goes with as a toss in. Each side got what they needed out of it. I like it.
*Edit from previosu post, I mean moved not drafted
Is anyone a member of HFboards?? I want to post something there but it’s by invite only
From the Bruins side, it looks like it was a salary dump too. We weren’t the only dumping salary in this deal.
Uhh, we took on salary sunshine… Weller was at 625K and Chuckie is a 2.2 million player…
I am a member there. What is it?
ATX: we were only talking about salary dumping not taking on.
Salary Dump:
Wild’s $625K for Bruins $2.2 million.
Salary added:
Wild $1.6 million, Bruins get to bring up their prospects and Weller goes to their AHL likely.
Guys that are likely to be traded at the deadline are Nolan, Johnsson, or Zids. I could see Boogaard be traded too.
add sykora, and belanger to that list. i’d be pretty sure if we are not in playoff picture, any and every UFA will be dealt for any pick possible, even hnidy
From the Bruins side of things, they dumped Kobasew’s salary.
I doubt anyone would want Belanger. Sykora yes but not Belanger.
Could we at least see the guy play before crucifying him? Weller was at best a Souray punching bag and I think that most people here would look at any Risbrough chosen prospect is suspect at best.
Fallstrom wasn’t picked by DR. He’s part of Fletcher’s first draft class.
Fallstrom was picked this summer.
Fallstrom should come hang on Thunder Island. Too bad Harvard keeps him busy.
Chad: Does that still make Fallstrom suspect?
I doubt anyone would want Belanger
the wild were able to dump pellerin, o’donnell and curtis L at the deadline of their first year. I’d think is someone took pellerin, they’d take belanger, especially if continues some of the play he has had of late. it will be for a 6th rounder or player to be named later but it will be someone.
weren’t we able to move zholtok and the oft injured bombardier at deadline. i don’t see zholtok a huge improvement over belanger.
Where did I put that fact-checker….
’round here somewhere…
nope.
Belanger always run out of gas by the trade deadline. I think he will leave via FA.
I was banned from HF. Sorry I can’t help you.
Though, it would be nice to get rid of Belanger via salary dump before the trade deadline.
Great another 5′11″ waterbug. I thought the Wild had run out of small sweaters? Another Brodziak type. And how’s that working out so far?
AustinTXwildfan… Im a fan on the message board what was it that u wanted to post
Website?
What a blockbuster trade, never heard of the guy…
lol @ all of the people saying they’ve “never heard of the guy.” Not too many just general NHL fans round Russoville ehh? Branch out and watch some other teams every once in a while fellas!
I think this is a great move. You’ve gotten faster, more skilled, and gained some scoring depth without giving up much. Weller is addition by subtraction, Fallstrom is a 4th round Euro draft pick who might not ever play a single game in the league, and the 2nd rounder will be easily replaced before the 2011 draft, perhaps by trading Harding at some point or by trading impending UFAs at the deadline either this year or next year.
time for the fletcher haters and ppl who have never heard of chuck kobasew to learn a thing or 2 about hockey before they post again. he’s been around for a while and he’s pretty decent, better then a lot of guys on the team at the moment and should play richards’ system perfectly. yeah we over paid for him a bit, but i bet at the trade deadline we’ll ditch some guys (zids, nolen, pmb if healthy) to teams who overpay for their “missing piece”…
[…] additions to long-term injured reserve occurred right around this trade, as the Wild sent Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) to LTIR and the Bruins placed Milan Lucic on LTIR with a broken finger he suffered in a game against Dallas […]
[…] additions to long-term injured reserve occurred right around this trade, as the Wild sent Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) to LTIR and the Bruins placed Milan Lucic on LTIR with a broken finger he suffered in a game against Dallas […]
1.)For all those who have never heard of CK, he did play in Calgary (note: for those who don’t watch outside of Minni, they’re in our own damn division)
2.)I, personally, would much rather have the Wild get a chance for Taylor Hall if they try hard all season and suck and not just choose to suck, just to get Taylor Hall.
3.)This pick is in 2011. Everyone who is flipping out over that needs to go pet a Cat and relax.
4.)How can you talk about firing Fletch and Richards, they havn’t even gotten a fair crack thanks to PMB, Syks, Havs and Clutter being hurt. Fletch gives us what we want and this is what you guys give him? Shame on you Wild “Fans.”
5.) IN FLETCH WE TRUST!!! KNOW IT, LIVE BY IT!!!
Nolan, Belanger, Sykora, Boogaard, Johnsson, Zidlicky, Hnidy, Sifers, Scott.
All those players are UFA after this season, and most if not all will be gone before the trade deadline. No doubt that Bruno and Miettinen will also be on the block.
FSM isn’t going anywhere. I’m sure CF will try to move him, but with his absurd cap hit, it’ll be damn hard to move him.
Chuck is no fool. Unless the team turns a corner, the Wild will be sellers at the trade deadline. Hell, unless they’re vying for the NW title and look like a legit Cup contender (PROTip: ain’t happening), they’ll be selling. This was probably CF’s plan all along, but with the lineup being decimated, he pulled the trigger early.
I for one have no problem at all with this.
Everyone needs to come off the ledge.
First of all, some of the people here need to realize trades are rarely 1:1 in this age. People complain CF isn’t making deals but expect that when he does, he doesn’t involve draft picks. Supply and deman people… And right now there is probably not a demand for a “puck moving” defenseman with a horrible +/- rating, a FSM on IR, and a 3rd line center who fades every year after the All Star Break.
Personally, I didn’t expect this team to make the playoffs this year anyway. So while I don’t want to see them mail it in on purpose, if they finish in the bottom 5, and finally get some high draft picks, I’m ok with that. I’ll just enjoy doing what I’ve done the last 9 years… Getting frustrated watching the team play average hockey with slivers of high quality play.
Give Richards/Fletch 3-4 years to implement the new system, carry out the trash (bad contracts/players) and turn this team into a legit contender.
The funny thing is, when Fletch and TR turn the team into a Top 5 contender, everyone razzing them now will jump in with the rest of us who never doubted them.
For that, how do you call yourselves fans of Minnesota? Shame on you all. You go Fletch, keep making the good deals. We will be a Detroit or a Pittsburgh in 3,4-5 years, mark my words!
Sounds like a good move. Fallstrom could be 4 years away from possibly playing in the NHL. Fletcher has the balls to make moves and will replace the pick. So many negative and redundant comments here. This team was built to play one way and it trying to make a u-turn. Give it some time, support your team. At least something is happening. Even if you only watch the Wild you should know who Kobasew is. He must have played against the Wild 20-some times with the Flames. I know lines are relative, but it’s true a Bruins 3rd liner is easily a 2nd line material here.
Doug left us with no real tools to make this team better in the short-term.
Could this phrase, or any variation of it, possibly be spewed out of people’s fingers any more???
Another one I like, “Cupboard’s are bare”. Jeez people, come up with some new material. Post after post of the same garbage. Last year’s news.
Isn’t a complaint about redundancy, also redundant?
Isn’t a complaint about redundancy, also redundant?
Only if made more than once.
People are bitching about DR and his lunatic tactics because it does no good to bitch about CF and TR (unless you’re a raging alcoholic glue sniffer), and it’s not Russo’s fault the team is in the position it’s in. The only other target is the players themselves, and there’s plenty of hate to go around (again, mostly on behalf of the glue-sniffing crew), but most of the sane ones here recognize that learning a new system might have something to do with the mental errors.
kj, it most certainly is. My six homeschoolers (Mary, Jeremiah, Zachariah, Josiah, Ellen, Naomi) just had ‘redundant’ as a vocabulary word.
but most of the sane ones here recognize that learning a new system might have something to do with the mental errors.
Stranger, could you please list the ’sane ones’ in your opinion? I’d like to hear what you think. I would put ATX on the list to start but who else would you consider sane?
love it…….love it…..love it….
trade a player who sucks (weller)….a fourth round pick who wont play in the nhl for 4-5 years, and whom no one knows how good they will be…..
the second round pick is the only big thing on this trade….
plus we get a forward who can play on the second line and put up good points….who is a fast skater (something we desperately need) someone who isn’t afraid of contact (he may be 5-11, but plays bigger than that, and something we desperately needed), and who is here for two more years….
I don’t see any negatives to this trade….not one….
great trade….
IMO they’ll regret trading Fallstrom away in a deal to acquire Kobasew.
This deal leans more toward desperation than something that “makes sense long term”.
Dear Mr. Broken Record
I use the term “sane ones” as a term of art to express my contempt for those who post in Russo’s Rants as one-post trolls and whiners.
People often use expressions such as this (see also “sarcasm”) to make a point, often with humor, but also often as a backhanded insult to the whiners and complainers who have no solutions, only complaints.
Respectfully yours
The Stranger
I don’t see any negatives to this trade….not one….
The only thing about it is trading away Fallstrom. But that could go either way. Maybe CF know something we don’t about the kid or maybe Boston knows something CF doesn’t. But it’s too far down the road to know, so for now, I’m fine with it. Combine that with the fact that so many players will be gone at the trade deadline (I know Russo says a firesale is possible, I think it’s extremely likely), we’ll be putting a lot more in the bank later on.
clearly nolan/brunette/zids/kimmy/maybe mittens will all be traded at the deadline….one of them will be dealt when butch is healed (hoping he gets healed..concussions are scary)
kobiyashi fits exactly what we want to do, and he could blossom into a solid no. 2 winger….you never know….
also next year if he won’t sign an extension for about 1.7 mil, you can send him out for some more picks…(I can see him getting a second round pick or good prospect back if he plays well enough)
kobiyashi is the perfect type of player for this system, and I guarantee you after he starts preforming everyone will shut up…….
you can’t attract free agents if you are tanking….and remember….kovalchuck still is a possibility (until he is re-signed, or traded, and re-signed by another team.)
not much of a possibility, but a possibility.
and yes we still will have a high pick for the next draft…and will get plenty more once the trades happen.
Argon, don’t forget Boogaard. I could see him as more of a deadline move, because you know that some contender is going to want a pugilist heading into the playoffs, and hopefully will be willing to do something stupid to get him.
I think Scott established himself with his TKO of Stache. I think the fact that he doesn’t like to fight is a good sign. Hopefully it means he’s willing to work on an all-around game and not just his fighting.
I like the Kobasew deal. He’s basically a Brunette type from the sounds of it, and Brunette has a 6 game point streak right now, and is in good contention for the permanent “C”.
I’m hoping Bouchard is okay, but at the same time, if Bouchard is replaced with a lesser expensive, and in my opinion more talented, grittier player in Kobasew, then I’m all for this trade. People who think Kobasew is a 3rd liner.. well isn’t that exactly what Bouchard, and our healthy 2nd line would be on almost any other team in the NHL right now?
Baby steps folks. At least Chuck and Todd are communicating with each other. At least they aren’t sitting around like the sack of potatoes that was DR.
lol @ all of the people saying they’ve “never heard of the guy.” Not too many just general NHL fans round Russoville ehh? Branch out and watch some other teams every once in a while fellas!
Carlton, not for nothing, but Lemaire himself had about the same reaction to the estimable Dominic Moore, IIRC.
I’m not apologizing for those running around with their hair on fire right now, just sayin’…
“Good skater, works hard, drives to the net relentlessly, plays bigger than his size, has some skill, generates a ton of scoring chances for others but needs many scoring chances for him to be the scorer, is streaky undersized for the way he plays, which is very gutsy. Just goes to the net, plays hard on the wall. Because of that, he does get injured often. Best fit as a third-liner on a good team, but can be a second-liner on a bad team. ”
Someone compared Kob to Vellieux. He sounds more like the player Cluttersnap’s will be at 27. Which is not a bad thing.
I just don’t see how this hurts our team right now.
We might be able to get our hands on a 2nd rounder for 2011 by that draft. Jury’s out on that part of the trade.
Fallstrom, who knows? Jury’s out there too.
What do we know? That our team is DFL in the west and 2nd only to the Buds in the entire league. They’re beat up AND this roster was a work-in-progress already (as Fletch transitions it over to his liking.)
We got rid of a dead-weight player (and his contract) for a player that A) might actually garner some TOI and B) might produce.
I don’t love the cap hit, but I like the fact that Fletch pulled the trigger enough to off-set that.
So far, Kobe has 8 hits in 7 games, but he did have 101 in 68 games last season, normalized to 122 over a full season. Not bad, easily would have been #2 on our team last season.
And Holy Wow, Shemp is #2 on the team thus far with 15 hits? Color me impressed.
Didn’t I just say that Weller wasn’t impressing me? I’m a-okay with this trade. Kobi sounds like a guy I’ll like, too.
Truth is, there are what 600 (20 x 30 = 600) players in the league? No one is going to know all the names. Cut it down a bit further… there are 180 players in the league playing on first and second lines. 180! Do you know all of their names? What about first liners? There’s still 90 of those out there? Anyone know all of those first line players’ names. Not knowing their name means absolutely squat!
I’d heard of Kobe, but only because I played a lot of EA hockey games.
To those trying to help me on the HFBoards, Thanks. I went to bed right after that post so that’s why I didn’t respond. I just wanted to post a link to Russoville really. The Boston fans were having a lengthy discussion about this trade and they were disappointed because the Wild board only had 6 posts. I was going to direct them here because this is the place that seems to have the most discussion on topics like this. I read about them getting all excited about Weller, and I wanted to warn them about him. They dug up those videos of him in PHX (the same ones we drooled over… like where he clobbered punk-ass Jordin Tootoo for throwing an elbow), and I wanted to let them know we never saw that kind of play from him. So yeah… that’s all I wanted.
lol, kobasew is a valuable player on nhl09…
They have a bunch of Kobe’s goals on a highlight reel at NHL.COM if anyone wants to see some of him in action. Looks pretty good to me. Lots of crashing the net and just putting the puck on net. Hope he finds success in this up in St. Paul.
if I remember correctly kobiyashi is really good on nhl 10…..ended up trading him away because that cap hit doesn’t work for me at the third line….but as a player he pretty much fit all the things I like….speed, and checking with solid offensive/defensive skills.
—Well, Dave, he better be a better version of SRV. He’s getting paid almost 3 times as much.—
SRV scored 13 goals in the role JL put him in while CK scores 20 in the run and gun east. Cut SRV loose and he gets 20. The Wild just paid a price to get a guy to fill a role that SRV could have done just as well and for less money and no loss of picks & prospects.
Ms C. I caught that post. You said he’s not looking very NHL then the next story on weller is that he’s been traded! good call
ATX, thanks for the link!
He seems like exactly what we need. Someone that drives to the net for the dirty goals. I like this pickup.
I read the reactions on TSN - NHL and the opinions are about what you’d expect. Mixed. Lot of Bostonians not happy to see him go but happy to stockpile draft picks. Mostly lashing out at Toronto for giving up so much for Kessel.
I say give it a chance.
JMO: I like this trade. Kobasew was always a pain in the rear with Calgary, even when the Wild were better than they recently have been against the Flames. He was always one of those guys that made a Daymond Langkow that much more effective on an ‘energy line’.
Losing Weller was no great loss; face it, Souray’s brace to the face took care of that. Fallstrom is a raw 18-year-old. A second-round pick two seasons down the road? That’s for later.
Again, it’s JMO…
Cut SRV loose and he gets 20.
Don’t know if that will happen, but remember that Kobe scored 20 in the Defensive Jacques Lemaire Trapping Northwest Division.
I’m clearly one of the sane ones.
For those getting the vapors over Fallstrom, when did you expect him to be a genuine contributer to our Wild?
I say he is probably 5 years off, minimum.
I think we will be fine
matt cooke sux
SODR
Austin: YGM.
Stranger: You are comparing playing 82 games with Lemaire vs. 8 games against Lemaire?
Crazy!
From Russo’s article breaking down the road trip:
but the lack of offense never provided a cushion to overcome the eventual breakdowns.
The difference between being used to JL’s system and learning TR’s system now is that we would not have lost all five of those games last season.
I’m *not* bashing TR or his system. Not at all. The problem is not the system, the problem is that they’re still learning and acclimating to it. I’m also not pining for JL. Just sayin’.
Ideally they wouldn’t be in a position to have to judge their play right now. But realistically they are.
Toss in the injuries at “key” spots and you’ve got, well you’ve got DFL in the western conference.
You are comparing playing 82 games with Lemaire vs. 8 games against Lemaire?
Nothing of the sort, Sunshine. Just pointing out that he scored 20 in the NW, which for the last decade has had a lot of defensive scheming, and not much run and gun like that seen in the East.
NiNY: What 5 games last season? Are you talking about the December breakdown?
—Kobe scored 20 in the Defensive Jacques Lemaire Trapping Northwest Division.—
He was with scorers in a scoring role. We will see what SRV does this year in TB.
To be sure, they are opposite wings and I am confident that CF has a plan and roster that he is trying to build around. If CK is the kind of guy he wants around here long term, fine. They are going to be overflowing with draft picks come the trade deadline dump.
Here is my take Gang….
This move is out of desperation and it was not as Fletcher has said “I wont do something that will hurt the team in the future ” This deal does hurt the team in the future…. So that comment he made does not work
The Wild are not in a great position to do a deal so they did what they had to do. This deal is a second round pick and Fallstrom, Weller is nothing but freeing money up, but Boston did not want him
I say good move by Fletcher
Sure, Stranger, sure. All NW teams trapped in 05-06.
sunshine: no, I’m saying we wouldn’t have gone 0-5 on this last road trip with JL.
I’m saying JL’s system gave the team some margin for error in which to make up for their lack of talent - injuries or not - that they don’t have while they’re also having to waste decision-making time thinking about executing the new system.
Sunshine, I don’t know if you’re trying to pick a fight or not. But stop twisting my words. I never said that all NW teams played the trap. The comment about “Defensive Jacques Lemaire Trapping Northwest Division” was literary license, a joke, an exaggeration meant for humor.
All I’m saying is that you can’t talk about Kobasew putting up big numbers in the east when the fact belie that. He also put up good numbers in the West. The Northwest to be sure. I don’t think anyone can deny that the East plays a more wide open style than the West, in general.
None of us wants to see it happen, but I think we have to face facts: this team just isn’t very good. In fact, it’s downright pretty bad. EVen without the injuries, they’re just not very good. The roster is filled with 3rd line talent with a few good/very good players sprinkled in. If a fire sale is on the horizon, I am all for it. DUmp the dead weight on this team to get some assets (be they picks or prospects), while at the same time making a run at Toronto for the #1 pick.
This team has been stuck in NHL no-man’s land for five years - not good enough to truly contend, not bad enough to get good enough picks to build a contender. It’s time to go one way or the other, and I think we know going up isn’t a probability.
Saying this trade doesn’t hurt us now because the future pick is years away from making an impact and so is Fallstrom, that sounds an awful lot like Risebrough last year saying losing Rolston and Demitra for nothing doesn’t negatively effect the franchise immediately. True doesn’t hurt right now but there is a future and I was told we are building for it.
Finding out that the 2nd rounder isn’t until 2011 makes me less upset. I have faith that Fletcher will flip UFA’s and players that don’t fit the new system. I guess I just wasn’t expecting this type of trade but we’ll have to see what Fletcher’s vision brings us. It just came off as a knee jerk reaction type trade, IMO.
Lucky: While you could make somewhat of a case for the ‘knee-jerk’ comment, you cannot hide the fact that the Wild have traded essentially unusable cap space (Weller) for a fairly decent hockey player, especially when 3 of your top 10 forwards are on the shelf. Yes, Wild fans are not used to this type of trade; but long-term, the Wild are better off doing this than the DR method of burying your head in the sand, and doing absolutely nothing.
Can’t we all just agree in a Minnesota Nice way, that CF has just told a big Fib.
We’ll see what the future holds. Right now we are giving up what looks like a very high second round pick + prospect. I thought we wanted to stockpile talent and picks. This is a strange way of doing it. Looks like the same old same old.
Hard to understand how a team that Russo says is better than last year which missed the playoffs by a point or two (without Gaborik) is so bad and blasted as having no talent. Quite a disconnect in Wild land. Glad DR is gone but the jury remains firmly out.
Lucky: I don’t think anyone loves trading a pick. It’s the time available to replace it (added to what looks to be pretty good odds for a fire sale) that makes it palatable. If we end up getting something out of Kobasew AND we end up with a pick in the 2nd round in 2011, and all it cost us NOW is the future potential for Fallstrom….I’m okay with that.
And I think that’s a dynamic DR NEVER brought to his trades, such as they were.
How can you not like this move? The only real knocks against it - giving up a draft pick and a prospect - are arguments based on principle alone…
A high draft pick hurts on principle, but it’s *2 years out*, with ample upcoming opportunities to get it back given the rest of the roster’s UFA/fit with the system status. Beyond that… Fallstrom’s a nice prospect, but he’s just a prospect - a 4th round one at that. Even in a best-case scenario, he doesn’t pull on a Wild sweater for 4 years. How many 4th rounders make the jump to the NHL right away?
As for the players moving, we swap a 20 goal scorer coming into a system he is suited for, for an AHL player with virtually no shot at getting called up, and not much hope of making a significant contribution even if he did. Yeah, the salary isn’t a 1:1, but at least it’s for an NHL roster player with the potential to help the club rather than a minor league guy who’s most memorable moment with the Wild was getting his head bashed with a piece of plastic.
Seriously, people…
So, if you assume Fletcher can eventually acquire a second-round pick to replace this second, this was Fallstrom for Kobasew
What? Is this really an honest statement by The Don? Unless someone’s expecting another team to just hand the Wild a 2nd for free, won’t CF have to give up a player to replace the 2nd he just shipped to Boston? Seems like rationalizing to me. Even if the Wild trades a soon-to-be UFA for a 2nd, then it would have had two 2nds without the Boston trade.
Sick pick up!
What’s the problem we are one of only five teams who have a perfect home record.
rather than a minor league guy who’s most memorable moment with the Wild was getting his head bashed with a piece of plastic.
seriously…at least Fedoruk had that goofy hillbilly dance moment after they won the division…
Right now we are giving up what looks like a very high second round pick + prospect
But the pick is in 2011. If it’d been a 2010 pick I’d agree. Since it’s a 2011 pick, the Wild could be considerably better by the time the B’s get that pick, and it’s possible that it won’t be worth as much. Or it might be a #33, we don’t know.
Ditto on the last couple sentences Lucky.
It occurred to me that CF is just managing expectations. Start out slow….and then peter out altogether. CSNY Woodstock
Clearly the injuries are an unlucky circumstance. As CF pointed out, revamping the roster in a cap constrained environment is not an overnight process. And implementing a new system takes time, especially if you don’t have the horses.
Just a few games in, I am having a hard time convincing myself this is going to be entertaining season. Maybe I’ll build up my beer stash, fire up the bong and lay low for a season or two until there is some hope. I’m long past the loyal fan stage. I’m a bandwagon guy who wants to be entertained and right now it ain’t happenin’.
In the big picture, being sellers this year could benefit this team more than trying to win and make the playoffs.
Sometimes you need addition by subtraction. The picks and prospects (not to mention cap space) amassed from ridding ourselves of certain players as the year goes on will a.) go a long ways in “restocking” the bare cupboard in Houston and elsewhere, b.)position us for a larger splash in FA to get players in here that fit what we are trying to do and c.) arguably most importantly getting rid of the SODR.
While this may be our strategy this year, I do NOT believe that this organization nor its fans will settle for mediocrity. In order to continue making money the team will need to put an appealing product on the ice. the duty of the organization is to find the happy medium of selling tickets and putting butts in seats, while setting up the team for success. In this case, success may not be this year but rather in the next 2-5 seasons.
Food!
Stranger don’t argue with Sunshine lately she seem’s to know everything IMO.
Mister Know it all says:
October 18th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
wait a second,I did not realize they put Fallstrom in the deal… hmmm this deal looks more like Fletcher and Leipold try to save their asses. Russo did not post that tidbit of valuable info
MKVN - If you meant that this information was not posted if you can’t read, then yes, Russo left it off. If you can read, however, it is very easy to see that Fallstrom was part of this deal from the beginning.
Sorry for responding to a Troll.
i don’t think weller counts against the cap just in CL’s bank account.
I don’t think this is a big risk and it will help some now which, while y’all want them to tank, is important.
I want a GM to be active, especially during times of need. CF can’t win. We want him to acquire talent, but not give anything away. We grumble about this team being terrible and how the management should be fired, but then we freak when they try to do something about it.
The chances of Fallstrom being as good as Kobasew are slim, and it might take 5-6years. The chance of the Wild picking up enough picks to replenish a dry talent pool is high. You can’t just sell the farm and go for high picks. Can you imagine was CL would say if Fletch went to him and pitched a “Taylor Hall” plan? Delusional…
Thinking that Boogaard (or any other enforcer) would be picked up at the deadline is even crazier.
can i just reiterate, yes we overpaid for kobasew now but we need the help (plus he fits into the system nicely), and the bet is that we can offload ppl at the deadline to teams willing to overpay for their “missing piece” to the playoff puzzle. nolan and zids being the most obvious to go…good job fletch, keep it up.
[…] He said his cell phone rang, and “I was like, Why’s Chuck Kobasew calling me? I wonder if we just traded for him.” [Russo’s Rants] […]
Let’s face it, either the Wild makes it somehow to the playoffs this year and if that were the case then there’s a chance that this trade helped do that. Otherwise, once out of playoff position the Wild can be in position to acquire a lot more draft picks with that fire sale.
i KNOW NOTHING ABOUT kOBE BUT I’M ALSO NOT TOO WORRIED ABOUT THE 2ND RD PICK, fLETCH WILL GET IT BACK BEFORE 2011. FALLSTROM WAS YRS AWAY. IM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT PMB’S MEGA CAP HIT AND THAT HE CAN’T EVEN PLAY. A HORRIBLE MOVE BY DR AS IT TURNS OUT.
Did it ever occur to you guys that the Wild could always trade him next year at the deadline for a 2nd if they aren’t contending?
-OR-
Maybe the upcoming deadline deals will bring in more picks than they know what to do with - who knows, MAYBE some of them might even be in 2011.
The point is that the jury is still out on this one. Like it or not, we’ll have to let it play out for a while to see if this was a good move. If you’re not willing to do that…
What the Boston Globe reports
In 2007-08, the gritty right wing punched in a career-best 22 goals while adding 17 assists. Last season, Kobasew scored 21 goals and 21 assists in 68 games. In 11 playoff games, Kobasew added three goals and three assists, finding a home alongside Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi on coach Claude Julien’s matchup line.
Kobasew was expected to play a similar role this season on the No. 3 line. But the 27-year-old, who relies on speed and grit for his offense, looked out of sorts through seven games.
Kobasew’s underwhelming performance, his $2.33 million annual salary (he becomes an unrestricted free agent after 2010-11), and the Bruins’ sputtering start made the No. 3 right wing the leading candidate to be moved. And with Minnesota playing even worse than the Bruins, Chiarelli found a taker in new Wild GM Chuck Fletcher.
Fallstrom, Minnesota’s fourth-round pick in 2009, is a freshman at Harvard. The 6-foot-2-inch, 192-pound forward served as captain last year at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, the powerful Minnesota prep school that counts Sidney Crosby among its former players. The 19-year-old is unsigned.
1. Fire RICHARDS
2. trade burns, havlat, and sykora to new jersey for Jacques lemaire
