Russia wins gold; Burns named top defenseman; Simon gone
Posted on May 18th, 2008 – 2:53 PMBy Michael Russo
Minutes ago, Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk scored in overtime after Rick Nash’s delay of game penalty to lift the Russians over Canada, 5-4, for the gold medal in the world championships in Quebec City.
The Wild’s Brent Burns was named the tournament’s top defenseman. Burns finished with three goals (two in the gold-medal game) and nine points in nine games. He led all players in the tournament with a plus-14. He had 27 shots. He led the entire team in ice time (18:58).
Burns wasn’t on for a goal against today.
Finland won the Bronze. Mikko Koivu led the Finns with nine points in nine games. He also led the Finns in average ice time (20:34). Niklas Backstrom was 6-2 with a 2.11 goals against average and .922 save percentage. …
Chris Simon’s hockey career hasn’t ended.
He’s found a job in … Russia.
Simon, acquired in February by the Wild in a much-maligned trade with the Islanders, has signed to play next season in with Vityaz Podolsk Chekhov.
Simon, 36, had no points and 16 penalty minutes in 10 regular-season games with the Wild and scored no points in two playoff games.
Simon was suspended 30 games this past season for stomping down on Pittsburgh’s Jarkko Ruutu. The incident came nine months after Simon was suspended 25 games for slashing the Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg in the face. …
Think former St. Cloud State forward Ryan Malone’s going to make a fortune as a free agent this summer?
362 Responses to "Russia wins gold; Burns named top defenseman; Simon gone"
Don’t forget Chris Simon signed to play in Russia next year.
Sup folks? We had the same refs as in game 1 when I blew a gasket but I didn’t mind them today. Missed a few things, sure, on both sides, but no lasting complaints.
Don, I’ll kindly ask you not to discuss Malone’s upcoming contract. Thank you, sir.
Kevin, if you complained after your team won 6 to nothing to move on to the finals, I’d lose all respect for you. 
Congrats to your team Kevin
Thanks Band, and I know Wallshot. I decided to let it be known I wouldn’t after this one.
I was quite happy to do this to the Flyers.
Nice.
Na na na na…
Na na na na…
Hey hey hey
Goooood Bye!!!
Glad the Flyers run is over…let the finals begin…next weekend. I’d suddenly like to see the Stars beat the Red Wings.
I suspect that Malone is going nowhere. Unless someone throws a ridiculous number at him.
Well said kj! Couldn’t agree more and I hope you’re right about Malone.
KJ, you gonna make that a regular part of a set? It’s not a very danceable song. I think as Russoville’s official band, you guys should be the ones playing the summer bash.
Who’da thunk it?
That Pascal Dupuis would be playing for a Stanley Cup before Marian Gaborik ever did?
Who’da thunk it??
That Chris Simon decided he’d be better off in the East — the Wild Wild East, that is — than in the NHL? Did someone show him that Ak Bars Kazan bench-clearing brawl clip from YouTube?
Let’s end this season so we can get on with next! (I know, I’m impatient…)
Bandgeek…I doubt that any of the other guys in the band would want to learn that tune.
I wasn’t aware of the Russoville Summer Bash ‘08. Did I miss something? When is someone going to call our agent??? 
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/50896
how long will we need to read stuff like this now?
JEFFS468: The last two words at the end of the blog you posted a link to says it all:
“Vancouver Province.”
That alone should tell you that the whole rumor is just that — rumor — and that it and $3 will buy you a coffee at Dunn Brothers.
kj: Russoville Summer Bash? I didn’t know you were so willing… 
I was talking about the Wild Summer bash, when are you guys gonna play that kj? Russo you need to be promoting the communities favorite band to the people who plan these things.
Jeff, your from Roch right? Have you had a chance to check out the Ice Hawks? My sister took her boys last winter and said while my nephew doesn’t want to play (yet I keep thinking) he loves going to the games. I was just curious.
For the first 5 years, Gaborik didn’t even play with a Slovakian buddy. According to his Wild bio, his best friend is Marcel Hossa. Seriously, I bet even Gaborik wouldn’t want Marcel on the Wild.
sunshine: Hossa is going to command mucho dinero this summer as an UFA. If the Wild would sign him, there wouldn’t be a lot of room left to sign anyone else, unless Hossa’s buddy took the ‘hometown discount’. (And, I don’t think that will happen…)
How come the Minnesota-lovers on here aren’t clamoring for Ryan Malone? (Oh, I forgot; he played for someone other than the Goofers.)
WRT, I never even heard of him till he got to the NHL. I don’t care where he’s from. I just want some help at center for Mikko (Shepps still to young but will be excellent) and some solid D to go with Burns, Schultz, and Foster (once he heals). I guess we’ll see what happens.
Why is it that non-Gophers fans are essentially the Red Sox fans of college hockey?
You know, Sawx fans care more about the Yankees losing than the Sawx winning….
NiNY: Understand what we are dealing with here. The way the Gophers almost exculsively dominate the college hockey scene around here, you wouldn’t know that there are actually four (and maybe five in a few years, should Bemidji State go full D-1 in mens’ hockey) Division I hockey teams in Minnesota.
The Gophers get all the media coverage, all the TV, the big radio deal. Their shill (Jeff Dubay) is on the 50,000-watt sports talk station, and it’s all Gophers, all the time. He rarely says anything good about any other program. A lot of the rest of us would like the local media to recognize the efforts of the other schools, including the ones that actually win national titles, at least occasionally.
Kind of like the Red Sox-Yankees, except we’re not living in Hartford…
As a SCSU alum and fan who enjoys victories over any WCHA opponent I take offense to your comment Nick.
I was at SCSU while Malone was there. I remember arguing with people that Malone would be the better NHLer over Hartigan who was the Hobey Baker finalist.
Malone is an average player, Malkin makes him look good.
Bandgeek: I think we all realize that we have a moon-crater size hole to fill at center, but do we want to spend THAT much money on ONE player? Let’s get 2-3 good players instead of yet another brooding Slovak.
Our defense depth will, IMO, always be an issue until we can get rid of Skoula (once and for all) and somehow get out from under Johnsson’s devastating contract. We may be able to sign 1-2 solid D if we can somehow get rid of these two underachievers.
WRT: no, you’re not living in Hartford - you’re living in Gopher land.
To the extent that you live in the Twin Cities I think it should be expected that the team with 5 NCAA Championships gets 99.999% of the airtime versus the remote teams (who have a combined zero). If you’re in Duluth (or Mankato, or St. Cloud) and it’s all Gophers, all the time, then I think you have a legit beef.
I don’t know for sure, but I highly doubt any DJ in greater Bahstin is doing a pro-Yankees show.
If you hate the Packers, then living in Green Bay would SUCK!
Aaron: If memory serves, you’re not one of the people who spends more time whining about the Gophers than celebrating your own team - so I have no issue with you.
(I really don’t have an issue with any of this…I’m just trying to make conversation/stir the pot on an otherwise sa-low day in Russoville!)
If you don’t stir the pot the soup will burn.
NinY: Nick, I would agree with you except for one thing: these teams are all recruiting from the same pool (Minnesota high schools and the USHL) so why aren’t the players on other teams getting the same attention?
Mankato, Duluth and St. Cloud all get Minneapolis/St. Paul TV & radio stations. Their own efforts to sell their hockey program get blown away by the Gopher media machine.
And, by the way, the Vikings’ radio flagship DOES do a ‘Packer Preview’ radio show early on Sunday mornings. The station’s sales manager (who is a Milwaukee native) hosts it, and a former station employee who now works at the Green Bay Press-Gazette newspaper joins him on a regular basis.
As info…
BTW: I’m sure you’re all well aware of this already, but the Supreme Court today announced that they have ruled (7-2) for Kentucky in a little-known-but-potentially-impactful case that we in muni bond land have been fretting over since oral arguments were heard last October.
Essentially, the Court decided to maintain the status quo and continue allowing individual states to not tax its residents’ income from holdings of in-state muni bonds, while taxing its residents’ income from holdings of out-of-state muni bonds.
This is one of those deals that has limited upside, but would have had a huge potential down side (if the Court had ruled for the other guys).
So endeth your muni bond update for today.
Band, yes from Roch.
No i have never seen the Ice Hawks, saw the Mustangs a long time ago though.
Since then, just my boys games, but he quit a couple years ago.
WRT: but, by that logic, FSN North should also report on other NHL teams for which Minnesota-born players play, no?
You got me on the Packers Preview, though.
AiH: I hate burned soup. Won’t touch it. Ick.
Souns like your muni bond ruling says ‘Invest here…or else!’
They run a baseball stats pack here every weekend featuring Minnesota players. Why shouldn’t FSN North feature something which is unique to their area? (Sure beats reporting on the Timberwolves or the latest Gopher football player to break the law.)
WRT: the altruistic side of me thinks the ruling really says that the SC cares about 40+ states’ ability to meet and make budgets in the near future.
PS: Since when has FSN North “gotten it”??
NiNY, your comment about fans being anti-Gophers is accurate. Whether it is Holy Cross, Michigan or Harvard, the rest of the league fans seem to hope for them to lose.
It has never been clear to me why?
I do not think the Gophers get too much attention.
I think the other teams get too little. But, that is not the fault of the Gophers.
It is the resposibility of those institutions to lever themselves into more converage. UMD lost its local TV contract after many many years this last season. That is not the fault of the Gophers.
Maybe an Abraham Lincoln quote is appropriate: “you never make yourselves stronger by weakening your opponent” would be good advice for Gopher haters.
The Gophers are the most important opponent on the schedule for UND, UMD, SCSU, Mankato, BSU and Wisconsin for sure. They sell lots of tickets.
When they are good they strengthen the entire league.
Many times I am looking to watch UMD, SCSU, Mankato, or BSU on the tube but to no avail. I wish they would also get regular coverage but not at the expense of less Gopher converage.
Bethany College is now providing some limited television on the other schools games on an irregular and unannounced schedule.
To set the record straight WRT, BSU does play Division I hockey. If you recall they applied to the WCHA but were not granted admission for lack of a suitable arena.
WRT, I’m not advocating picking up a high dollar name, I’m thinking 2 good solid centers who can take some of the pressure off of Mikko and Shepp. And on D we’ve already lost Nummi (who I liked) Foster might be back by Christmas (might), Carney and Hill are showing their age but one of them (my preference is Carney) would make a good mentor to younger talent (he did it for Burns why not help with a few new young guys, as long as they’re good). Yawnnie… ehhh…. I could take him or leave him, I’d probably like him more if he was cheeper. It’s not like we get a say in the matter however so like I said, I guess we will see what happens.
I said Marcel not Marian Hossa. Two different players. Gaborik’s BFF in the world is MarCEL Hossa not MarIAN Hossa. Marian Hossa will command lots of money. Marcel probably not.
I said Marcel not Marian Hossa. Two different players. Gaborik’s BFF in the world is MarCEL Hossa not MarIAN Hossa. Marian Hossa will command lots of money. Marcel probably not.
Was wondering whd’d be first to get that straight. Nicely done, sunshine.
PS–The thought is that PHX obtained Marcel earlier this season with the thought that having him on their club would help them land Marian this summer. Very clever, if ya ask me. (Of course, who IS asking me! Blah, blah, blah.)
Iceman: I thought BSU got their arena this session, or am I mistaken again? (No one said I was perfect…)
They may be D-I but as an independent, which means as much as getting a degree without the sheepskin, IMO…
Bandgeek: Yes, it should make for an interesting time after the SCF is over. The draft is June 20-21 in Ottawa, let’s see what happens ther and beyond into Free Agency…
Marcel Hossa? Is he even an UFA? Or do the Rangers still have him on their roster? (Sorry, sunshine; too many Penguins’ games on TV lately for some reason…)
WRT: no worries. Marcel was traded to Phoenix and I have no idea what he status is and don’t care. I just hope he doesn’t play for the Wild.
Marcel was traded to Phoenix and I have no idea what he status is and don’t care
Marcel is a RFA.
Here’s the trade detail:
http://coyotes.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=355011&page=NewsPage&service=page
WRT, yes BSU got their arena $$$ very recently. They did not have it when they applied for WCHA admission however.
It does seem that BSU needs to find a new conference.
Point to my blatherings is that I would like to see all of the Minnesota schools get more air time.
We as fans need to create more demand (but not as in “Demand!”).
Penguines sign F Veilleux to 3-year deal!!
(lol)
How does everyone feel about Sheppard’s rookie season? I was impressed with his strength and he seems to have a high level of ability to go with it, but I was ultimately disappointed with his production. I felt he could have contributed quite a bit more offensively, and I very much hope to see that progression next season.
Watching him play along the boards, I’d often forget how young he is.
Hey, that’s a big deal, bfw… we’re going to have a lot of roster spots to fill.
Does anyone know if the S.C. Finals will be on VS. or NBC?
Hey, that’s a big deal, bfw… we’re going to have a lot of roster spots to fill.
My apologies, KiPA. That’s an inside joke for the locals (see: Stephane Veilleux).
Btw, Congrats! I don’t believe I’ve mentioned lately how completely overpowering your club is. I foresee several Cups in Pittsburgh before it’s all said and done.
Late to the Gophers vs. WCHA topic but I would like to agree that the other WCHA teams should get more press in the Twin Cites - just like there are a lot of Pack fans here, there are a lot of SCSU, UMD, UND, etc. almuni around. However, I would also like to agree that without the huge $$$ the Gophers bring in, the WCHA would be half the league that it is. Bottom line, it sucks to be over shadowed in the media when you are not on the ice but it also sucks for Gopher fans that have to be the target of sometimes way over the top hate.
Mind you, I really don’t HATE the Gophers. I really don’t care one way or the other, I don’t watch much college hockey. I just get really tired of the over-the-top blown way-the-he//-out-of-proportion to reality coverage that the Gophers men’s hockey team gets.
Any other kid at any other school goes to the NHL early, it’s ‘too bad, so sad, we’ll miss ya’. But when a Gopher leaves (Okposo, Wheeler the latest two) it’s ‘How DARE you abandon us in our hour of need! You OWE it to the program to take it in the shorts financially for US!’
What a load of crap. Sorry that all you Gopher fanatics cannot accept that your team is not the be all and end all of the sport. You may still bring the most money in, but your best years as a hockey school are behind you.
Bandgeek: Games 1 & 2 of the SCF will be on Versus. Games 3 thru 7 will be on NBC. The next game that will be on NBC will be Game 3 (whenever that is).
Who does everyone think would be key additions to the team if Gabby stays? It seems to me that we have too many mid-talent wingers, like Radio, Veilleux, Foy, Voros, Fedoruk, and Simon. I think Parrish unfortunately falls into this as well. I’d probably keep Fedoruk, Voros, Veilleux, and Rolston
Maybe picking up a few players like this:
Center: Holik, Yanic Perreault, Langkow, Conroy, Stu Barnes
Defense: Steve Montador, Bryce Salvador, Bryan Berard
Left Wing: Niklas Hagman, Ruslan Fedotenko
Right Wing: Miroslav Satan
There really isn’t a lot available.
If we are forced to trade Gabby, I think we need more than just a straight up trade, I think we should be looking for someone and a bunch of prospects/early draft picks. If we aren’t signing Gabby long term we will be taking a step back for a season or 2, but that’s not necessarily bad. With the salary cap you need to sign your skilled young players to long-term contracts as they have done with Burns or your hands are going to be tied later. Right now we are stuck in the middle we are good, but not really a San Jose, Detroit, Dallas, or Ducks. Without dropping out of the playoffs for a year or 2 I think it will be hard to build from within.
If you look at Pittsburg, they have been very lucky. They stunk at a time when great players were available in the draft. Fleury, Malkin, Crosby, and Staal. It seams like they had the first and second pick for like 5 years. They could never have afforded to land most of these players through free agency.
WRT: it sounds like your issue is more with Gopher FANS than the program or the school itself.
JohnG: one thing that jumps out from your list of wingers is that it’s almost entirely the mid-talent variety that you say we already have too many of.
I’m not saying I think 100% of last year’s team should be back, or that some change wouldn’t be good. But change for change’s sake can be counter-productive as well.
WRT,
I don’t think Gopher fans have really had a problem with players leaving early for the NHL. I think most of the complaining this winter was over Okposo leaving mid season.
This bothered a lot more than just Gopher fans. College coaches all over the country were a bit turned off by it. In college you can’t just grab another player, you are short for the rest of the year. It is a problem because rather than taking players from teams in which the NHL team picking up the player would need to pay the team losing a player. They owe nothing. So it is kind of the blue light special of getting a player. This is bad for college hockey whether you are a SCSU, UMD, UND, BC, Mich fan.
- but your best years as a hockey school are behind you.
After a 20 plus NC drought I don’t like the sound of that 
- WRT - find one serious Gopher fan that is not wishing Wheeler well at the next level. Although Wheeler was under the old CBA, its been established under the new CBA that most college hockey players drafted in the first few rounds will not play their senior season.
Also, most Gopher fans only have a problem with a player leaving early when that player takes off during the season (although I didn’t have a problem with it - he told the Isles that he wanted to go before last year, they said no and then chaged their mind, or so it has been reported) or is not NHL ready. However, my only concern is that Lucia be given enough notice to fill the roster spot. Anyway, WRT - I think you need a vacation from Gopher fans so I won’t bug you again
Sorry, Adam, but the landscape of recruiting players has changed in 20 years to the point that the Gophers are not guaranteed the best 3-4 players in Minnesota high schools every year. They go to UND, SCSU, Mankato State, etc., in part to get away from Don Lucia and the Gopher ‘machine’. The USHL, by contrast, has never had it better as a place for marginal players or ‘late bloomers’ to refine their skills.
I didn’t like the way that Okposo was vilified by the media when he left last year. But that hate should have been directed at NY Islanders GM Garth Snow, not at Okposo. If someone shoves a contract at me with lots of crooked numbers ahead of the decimal point, I’d sign, too. (I need the money. )
I see that NiNY, but I don’t really see a whole lot of upper level free agents. I think Holik maybe able to revive his career here. He was a solid scorer at the end of this year. The wings on my list seem like more solid scorers, than Radio and Foy. I see Berard as a good puck moving defenseman with JL’s help he could become a more solid defenseman.
Ultimately I’m just looking to get a little speculation going. Who else would Russoville like to see come here?
Thank you WRT. The info is appreciated, even if you are rantin’ about my alma mater.
JohnG says:
May 19th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Who does everyone think would be key additions to the team if Gabby stays?
… snip …
Maybe picking up a few players like this:
Center: Holik, Yanic Perreault, Langkow, Conroy, Stu Barnes
Defense: Steve Montador, Bryce Salvador, Bryan Berard
Left Wing: Niklas Hagman, Ruslan Fedotenko
Right Wing: Miroslav Satan
This was too hard to pass up. There’s one operative question, and it’s related to your first one: if Gabby stays.
Chances are, DR will toss out something between 7.5 and 7.9 a year, for 3-4 years, and Gaborik will balk, and we’ll have a Hossa-like situation here until deadline day.
If DR doesn’t make him an offer soon, I’ll give it 50-50 he gets moved at the draft, and we get a pick. No, we won’t get TB’s pick, but we might get 3-4 nice picks or a mix of a #1 and #3, plus a player or prospect.
Thennnnnn, I get to comment on the player list:
Holik, going to be 38 or so, and he makes way too much. Not an impact player, 29 pts last year, 34 this year. Nope.
Perrault, great on faceoffs, but age again. Too old, and other than faceoffs, he’s worthless.
Langkow, YES! A perfect fit for the JL system, but he’ll probably get the 4 mil Demo got this year.
Craig Conroy, gonna be 36, and hasn’t really produced in a few years. Nope.
Stu Barnes, is old. Enough said.
My picks:
Glen Metropolit. Good faceoffs, good worker, can skate, can pass. Problem is Boston is working on signing him now.
Marty Lang. Yeah, he’s gonna be 37, but he’s about the only one in that age bracket other than Sundin (who would never come here) that I think would benefit.
I’m not going to comment on wingers or D yet. I’ve done it before, and no one liked my awesome suggestions
Who’s Marty Lang? I’m guessing you mean either Robert Lang or Martin Lapointe?
And I gotcha, bfw. I forgot about that other Veilleux. As for overpowering…meh, I’d like to have played a quality opponent.
Looks like we’re going to Detroit. They’re doing to Dallas what we did to Philly.
There’s a lot of hockey left to play. But the Wings do look … really good.
Fresh insights JohnG.
WRT, both the Tribune and Pioneer Press are home town papers for the Gopher program as are the main radio and TV media for the state.
It is not a pro-Gopher conspiracy, it is just the way it is.
My perspective is that Gopher fans are not different than the fans of any other teams. There is a wide range of types and if you are thrust among them or live among them and are not one yourself they can be very obnoxious.
That is no different than in Grand Forks, Madison, St Cloud, Mankato or Duluth.
There is a greater issue for a player leaving mid-season … that is the hole it leaves in the team.
It is not good for a team, it is not good for a league, and it is not good for college hockey. In fact, the NHL does not take Juniors for the same reason so it must not be good for that development league either.
I can’t even begin to describe this youtube video, which is a parody of the movie “Into the Wild.” The parody plays on the word Wild — Minnesota Wild and Marian Gaborik. The video is called So into the Wild. Its strange. If you want to spend 6 minutes being somewhat amused, go for it. Be prepared for
Ga-BORE-ick.
Back on the Malone topic, has anyone else seen his interview with CBC after the 1st Intermission of Game 5?
Malone caused Biron to drop his stick, leading to Malkin’s goal.
CBC: “What happened with Biron at the end of the period?”
Malone: “I just told him he should hold onto his stick. He’s a better goalie with his stick in his hands.”
CBC (Laughing): “You actually said that?”
Malone: “Aren’t most goalies better with their sticks in their hands?”
Video is about 2:55 into this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P54hennP9g0
Was that before or after Biron went over to Malone after the buzzer and gave him a little push or two? When I saw that, I knew we’d win. We were soo in Biron’s head.
They may be D-I but as an independent, which means as much as getting a degree without the sheepskin, IMO…
I suppose this holds true for notre dame football?
Bemidji state’s request for funds for a new arena was included in the bonding bill passed this session.
It was right after Biron gave Malone the shoves.
The Gophers aren’t worth complaining about. They will be down for 3-4 years.
I think Gaborik will be history. Ekulnd said so…but then again, he gets his info from us so…
Come on…just award the Cup to the Pens and get on with the offseason!
Kevin, now the Pens road is now quite a little steeper. But, good luck to your guys.
It would seem that BSU now has removed the obstacle for WCHA membership but probably it is not that easy.
If DR doesn’t make him an offer soon, I’ll give it 50-50 he gets moved at the draft,
While it may end up that Gaborik is traded at the Draft (June 20th), the NHL CBA prohibits DR from offering an extension until Gabby enters into the final year of his contract, which is when the July 1st Free Agency period begins.
Soooo, the most likely scenarios are (in no particular order):
1. Trade at the Draft.
2. Extension offered on or about July 1st, declined.
3. Extension offered on or about July 1st, accepted.
4. Traded at 08-09 Trade Deadline.
Although Gabby’s on record as saying he would like to avoid a Hossa-like scenario, it’s difficult to gauge to what extent that statement is meant to put more pressure on DR to cough up the max $$$.
Of course, if Gabby truly wants out, he can just turn down all offers, and wait for UFA next summer (which goes without saying.)
Now, if the Club decides they want to keep Gabby, in order to entice him to re-sign, they will no doubt need to make immediate improvements to the roster (read: retain and/or obtain secondary scoring, filling holes on “D”, etc.)
If they decide to move him, that will most likely happen at this summer’s draft, or, at 08-09 Trade Deadline. Why? Historically, that is when teams tend to “overpay” , in terms of players, prospects and picks.
Unlike some, I don’t particularly care either way. I just want to see them win, with or without Gabby. Having said that, replacing his production would seem difficult.
This most certainly will be an exciting off-season for the Wild, and will be interesting to see what, if any, impact CL will have on signings.
I think Gaborik will be history. Ekulnd said so…but then again, he gets his info from us so…
+1
My 2 cents on MN D1 Hockey…
New Happenings…
- WCHA is in the early stages of exploring its own TV Netowrk. Taking lessons learned from the Big Ten - Comcast debacle, and will probably be on a sports tier. Very speculative, but it may come to fruition.
This will increase exposure for all teams in the league.
- MN finally adopting it’s own “Beaanpowwwwt.” It’s sad it’s been this long for a tourney like this to take place, but it should be really dang fun.
- BSU deserves to be added to the WCHA, it might be a while till they prove they can make money with the new rink. They recently came to a scheduling agreement with the WCHA to play more games home and away within the league.
- I agree with those who respect and acknowledge all the teams in the state. The Gophers receive more local media, this we all know, but there have been more regional games available on cable here. There were a few SCSU and MSU games on Comcast ch. 23 towards the end of the year. This is good progress.
To me it’s more fun to watch the players on those teams (BSU, MSU, SCSU, UMD, UM) with local ties, or connections. You like to see all the great players from this state succeed and play well into the next level.
Herb Brooks knew that players from this state had few options, and look at all the doors he opened by having the vision and guts to bring and sustain D1 hockey in this entire state.
p.s. I’m Pro Ryan Malone. He would do well here.
I think Gabby sincerely does want to avoid a Hossa-like scenario because I think he respects the guys on the team to not put them through the media scrum. He saw what it did to the Thrashers and his own contract dispute in 2004 affected his game and the team. He probably doesn’t want to go through that again.
I am all for BSU joining the WCHA even though it will only add to the Gopher hating fever swamp. Also, as long as all Gopher games continue to be televised on all major pay TV options, I am also for a WCHA Network - it would be great for the league.
The idea of a WCHA Network reminds me that some have speculated that with the Big Ten Network, the conference might want to add a sixth school to DI hockey to form a hockey league made for TV. Be careful what you wish for Gopher haters, you would miss Gopher fans and your ADs will miss Gopher $ if it was gone!
- MN finally adopting it’s own “Beaanpowwwwt.” It’s sad it’s been this long for a tourney like this to take place, but it should be really dang fun.
Fantastic! Long overdue, and I agree, that will be awesome. Can you elaborate?
- BSU deserves to be added to the WCHA
Agreed. I mean, c’mon! Alaska Anchorage is in the WCHA, for Pete’s sake!!!
Go Beavers!!
It would be great to have a midseason event that draws a lot of attention but a MN Beanpot does not make sense to me. Part of what makes the Beanpot work is that Harvard and NE are from the ECHA and BU and BC play in Hockey East.
Plus any sort of MN Beanpot would erode the luster that is the DQ Cup
I think a WCHA network would be stupid. #1: games only take place on the weekends (with a few exceptions) - what are you going to show for the other 5 days of the week?
#2 The majority of the games each week are played at the same time, so wouldn’t that severely limit what you can show?
I suppose they could change the scheduling drastically, but even then I’m not convinced there is enough demand for the WCHA to warrant its own network. I say this being a college hockey fan myself.
I think Gabby sincerely does want to avoid a Hossa-like scenario because I think he respects the guys on the team to not put them through the media scrum. He saw what it did to the Thrashers and his own contract dispute in 2004 affected his game and the team. He probably doesn’t want to go through that again.
For the teams sake, let’s hope so.
With all due respect to the Wings and Pens, let’s get it over with and let the signings begin!!
There is a pretty good Aeros pondcast with head coach Kevin Constantine:
http://www.aeros.com/multimedia/audio/
Click on the 5-13-08 Aeros Audio. K.C. basically gives a wrap up of the season. There isn’t a ton of detail about individual players, just general discussion about the goaltending, offense and defense.
Why can’t FSN North broadcast games besides the Gophers? Whatever night has the higher ratings can be reserved for the Gophers and then use the other night to broadcast a SCSU, MSU, UMD or BSU game.
I pay $6 a game to watch SCSU on B2Networks, I would glady shift that money to a WCHA network. Sometimes you can catch games on FSN Wisconsin, Rocky Mountain and Altitude.
BFW - I read about the idea a few weeks ago.
I get the majority of my college hockey news from the following three sites
http://www.uscho.com
http://www.insidecollegehockey.com
http://www.collegehockeynews.com
Wallshot: I could see the format being similar to the NHL Network. Yes games would be at the same times, but they can be arranged to have say a 6 pmCDT and 8 pmCDT start to maximize coverage. Also, with the Colorado teams and UAA there can be several game shown late.
Vintage and classic games could be shown during the week. Frankly the league has undeniably long and rich history. I’d love to see all the old games I possibly could. I’m sure a weeknight highlight show would shown.
Here’s the link for WCHA network story:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/18550594.html
Link for MN Tourney:
http://www.mankatofreepress.com/sports/local_story_082023956.html
Anbody care to teach me html so I can add links in the text?
Don’t forget BFWi, AA pays big bucks for teams to travel to the 49th state.
Lapper, reasonable comments. The Gophers do not need to get less coverage, it is just that the other schools could get lots more. But, I think that falls on their own shoulders.
Why can’t FSN North broadcast games besides the Gophers?
I would assume SCSU and MSU get more $ from selling rights for the local cable company broadcasts I have seen Comcast channel 13 in St. Paul. However, I would love it if FSN North added a WCHA package to fill the winter weekend void when the Gophers or the Wild are not playing. The WCHA could help by trying to scheule games between SCSU, UMD, UND and UMD on Gopher off weekends or trips to AA.
It sure seems to me that the UFA’s available this summer are pretty poor. If it wasn’t for the Gabby situation, I would be just fine if DR just saved his money until next summer when it appears a much better crop of players will be coming available.
Your right Adam, FSN could offer a hockey double header every weekend if the WCHA would schedule some early start games.
On a Saturday night with temps below zero, a UMD/SCSU showdown from the tip of Lake Superior at 6:00 followed by Gophers at Denver or CC would be pure TV gold.
I don’t think you would be able to get any team in MN, ND or WI to start at 6:00, especially on a Friday night. Cuts into serious pre-game drinking time!
It sure seems to me that the UFA’s available this summer are pretty poor
+1
+1
-1
To those who keep asking why the networks don’t show more SCSU or UMD hockey, it is simple, advertising. It is simple dollars and cents. FSN isn’t going to give away air time for a tiny regional audience. The SCSU games are played the same time as Gopher games and who has a bigger and more desirable demographic audience that advertisers want to reach? SCSU can get their own tv contract on a local station up there if they want to show games on TV but there is no way FSN is going to replace a very lucrative Gopher game with a Husky or Bulldog airing, it simply isn’t going to be worth the production cost. The U of MN is a bigger school with a bigger fan base, that’s all, its all about the money not about who is a “better” program.
As long as were talking about Hockey coverage, would anyone else think that expanding some coverage on Hockey Day Minnesota to include an outdoor D-III game?
SJU vs. STU up in St. John’s outdoor-natural-bowl football stadium? I think that would be a really neat venue and game. The MIAC is a great league, and they could use a little push…
Clair, that is exactly the problem and I do not blame FSN. In fact, that UMD lost its TV coverage last winter after having locally produced games for many years also supports your comment.
Your remarks also underscore why the Gophers are important for continued coverage of college hockey.
What is needed to get around that is some creative thinking to generate fan interest which translates to revenue for FSN.
Also a good suggestion Lapper. Except that Gagliardi would not like probably losing his prized turf.
For any of that to happen there needs to be a proven demand … so that a television station can sell advertising and make a profit at least equal to some other event they might also air.
Come on…just award the Cup to the Pens and get on with the offseason!
You’re doing a fine job of worming your way into my heart, kj!
Iceman: yeah, much tougher now, and thanks for the good luck. Going to need it. Hopefully Franzen continues to be out.. we’ve had a good run of playoff opponents missing key players, I’d like to keep it going.
Talking about hockey coverage on tv, what’s the Wild and FSN situation? How many games have FSN agreed to cover or is there even a number?
I don’t want to take away from the college hockey coverage talk but if someone has that info, that would be great.
KiPA…since the South Stars weren’t able to come back, I am now rooting for ABD…Anyone But Detroit.
Enough with the college hockey talk. Russo certainly didn’t recruit us for that!
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/8139922/It’s-getting-lonely-in-Hockeytown
Interesting article on the economy’s impact on STH attendance in Detroit.
Is this scenario too far off for the State of Hockey? Can anyone relate to Mr. Catallo in the story?
Lapper, your idea for hockey day is good, but what about girls hockey? Why can’t a girls hockey, high school, Gopher’s, whoever, be part of Hockey day. I would enjoy that more than extra boys games. Do a morning Girls game, mid day out door game, Wild and Gopher’s (and try to make it Gopher’s against UMD or UND, or something like that). But what do I know, no one listens to the Bandgeek, nope don’t ask if I would like something or need supplies for events, or have ideas about…… sorry, bad day at work. I’ll go find some chocolate or even better, ice cream and all will be good again.
Can we put the women’s Gopher hockey on instead of the men’s program on hockey day? Those girls rock. Yes, it is the Gophers but at least the women’s program doesn’t inspire the same level of spittle that the men’s does.
Been at work all day, so sorry if I get in to this stuff late…
Does anyone know if the Beanpot tourney counts towards their League standings? Because, on first glance, it looks like the Minnesota version WILL count towards the McNaughton Cup trophy standings. Looks like each team gave up one home game to play two at the ‘X’ in the fall.
If they cannot come up with a decent schedule for the Hockey day Minnesota stuff, scrap the thing, thank everyone else and move on. the Wild have to schedule a game at 5:00 PM on a Saturday for a Gopher ROAD game? I can understand if it’s a Gopher home game at Mariucci, but a ROAD game at Denver? I thought this was supposed to be Hockey Day MINNESOTA, not hockey day wherever…Bandgeek, you might be onto something to promote the women’s program. They have done more in the last 10 years than the men have. (Then again, you may be ON something…)
BSU in the WCHA would be nice, but it may not happen for a while. I can imagine more than a few people in Grand Forks aren’t taking too kindly to it.
kj: You may want anyone but Detroit, but I just want a competitive series. Glad that the South Stars lost, but also somewhat ambivalent about what’s to come. Just wanting good, clean, action-packed hockey.
So is there any doubt that Henrik Zetterberg belongs in the same sentence as the game’s elites? He is having an unreal postseason on top of a killer regular season (the only person I could count on to score for my fantasy team). Forget Lundqvist, King Henrik should be Zetterberg
Bandgeek, there are a few women’s hockey games on tv. The problem is revenue for the tv station.
There are only a handful of spectators at the games, maybe less than 500. It would be difficult I think to sell the ads wouldn’t it?
WRT, I wish
But seriously, why can’t they show a girls game? It’d be better than a Gopher’s away game (as WRT said). And if we are the State of Hockey that should mean more than just the hockey played by rich suburbanite future yuppies who’s parents hand them everything they want… I’m unusually angry and bitter today, I’m sorry.
It gets to a big list but a UM v. UMD women’s game and a MIAC game would round out hockey day and both could be played outside at Lake of the Woods.
And if we are the State of Hockey that should mean more than just the hockey played by rich suburbanite future yuppies who’s parents hand them everything they want
I’m sure the fine folks in roseau and warroad will appreciate the yuppie label.
WRT says girls would be better than boys because he has a blind distaste for the men’s program at the U. nothing wrong with that.
Putting girls hockey on TV will not get people interested in it. finding better girls hockey players and more of them, will. I need a more compelling reason for it to be on TV other than “because it is there”. if that were a good argument then were are all the thunder soccer games or swarm, highschool badminton tournament, tennis, wrestling…
You have it right in my opinion Greenstar.
question: Just who is the underdog in the Finals?
Putting girls hockey on TV will not get people interested in it. finding better girls hockey players and more of them, will.
I don’t think these two things are mutually exclusive, G*.
Of course, it’s not going to help YOU become a better girls hockey player - and you may never be interested in it, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
But you’re not necessarily the target market of a girls hockey broadcast.
And it might inspire some young girls in Woodbury or Bemidji to see the high school girls from their town on the big screen.
And if some of those girls turn that inspiration into a passion for the game, and if that passion leads to working their butt off…I think it’s reasonable to say that it COULD lead to “better girls hockey players and more of them”.
Putting girls hockey on TV will not get people interested in it. finding better girls hockey players and more of them, will.
Agreed, 100%.
I would say that the time is not quite right for MN girls hockey on tv, but, with the tremendous strides made at th e youth level year after year, it may not be far down the road.
Don’t ask how, but I ended up watching a few girls’ hockey NW Suburban Tournament games last season, and I will say this: if you get the chance to see Coon Rapids’ Rachael Bona play, take it.
In three games, she went 6g-3a-9pts, and was the best player on the ice. She finished the season with 21gp-27g-19a-46pts, 4th in the league in goals and points.
And, uh…she’s a freshman.
The yuppie’s I spoke of are distinctly NOT from up nort, G*. Or are you being argumentative on purpose? I would much rather see a girls game than another game between Edina and one of the many private schools around here. I’d even much prefer a game from southern MN, say a Mayo/JM game (Jeff will get the reasoning behind that one). Or Austin/Albert Lea. Show that there is more to the SoH than the Twin Cities and areas north. Off to work, I got to sleep in today, it was nice.
bfw, I’ve heard of her. If she keeps up her level of play she could be a shoe in for Ms. Hockey when she graduates. I’ve heard several collages are already looking at her as well.
I remember some of those games Band.
Some of those games reminded me of a mid 90’s Avs/Wings game! Tons of loud kids made the Rec center echo, good games.
band,
I’m totally serious: You’ve got to see her play.
What’s amazing about her, beyond the numbers, is her play without the puck. Just knows the game better than anyone else on the ice, always in just the right spot, before the puck shows up.
As for physical skills, I saw her make plays that very few boys players can make. Will only get better with age. And, btw, she plays on a very average team, and still puts up great offensive numbers.
bfw- How many years did she play on guys teams?
Just curious, because to me it seems like there are usually two or three girls per program that play at the same speed and physical level as the boys, and they are the ones who go on and dominate in college and the Olympics. I’m no Girls Hockey expert, and I’ve only seen a few HS games, so I don’t have all the up-to-date info.
I’m all for Girls Hockey, it’s a great game, and the girls continue to improve.
IMHO…The Girls State HS Tourney games really need to be moved back to Ridder Arena. Yes, they should able to have the same State Tourney experience as boys, but at the same time, for the “experience” it’s much more exciting and emotional to play in a packed to the rafters small/midsize rink, where the fans are loud and all over you, than to play to 1/3 full arena (the X). Ridder Arena is, iirc, one of the first of it’s kind in the nation. A facility to be dedicated entirely to a Women’s Hockey program.
I read that Natalie Darwitz suggested as much after this years tourney.
Lapper,
Not sure. I vaguely recall hearing that she has an older brother that plays, and I’d bet she’s played with the boys quite a bit.
But your point is well taken: Historically, top-tier MN girls players have played on boys teams throughout the youth levels. Remember, though, that originally this was due to lack of girls players (and, thus lack of girls teams). This has changed dramatically.
Girls hockey in MN is unlike any other state. Case in point: Of the 57,549 girls hockey players registered w/USA Hockey for the 06-07 season, MN had 10,702 (nearly 19%).
Also, that number of MN girls players has increased from 5,098 in 06-07, (up by nearly 110%).
I agree, in hindsight, that the girls at Ridder would have made more sense, as the popularity continues to grow to the point where it could be moved to the ‘X”. At this stage, I would predict the turn out for these games will grow as well.
A little off topic, but J.R. just signed up for one more year with the Sharks at a million bucks.
A few years ago, a parent (or parents) sued the MSHSL (and apparently won) to move from Ridder to the the X for their state hockey tournament.
My opinion is that it was a big mistake because there are too few spectators right now. So, the attendance looks more like an intramural game. The same for the college women even when UMD is playing Minnesota or Wisky.
Not a big JR fan but it was nice to see him resurrect his career. SJ is likely to be rewarded with another year where contract < performance.
Good for JR, he earned it.
As the smattering of signing continue to trickle in, one wonders when we’ll get our RFAs (PMB) done?
a parent (or parents) sued the MSHSL (and apparently won)
Wow. Would like to hear more ’bout that.
I remember reading that a few years ago.
i guess the girls parents thought they should have the same tournament experience that the boys got.
I think NiNY has the right take on the women’s game.
Just as long as they don’t play a game with future female yuppies cake eaters.
Not sure where you would find the original story BFwi. It would be a few years old now.
That is what I remember jeffs468. I can’t recall which school they were from.
There is a saying, “be careful what you wish for, it may come true”.
It fits this situation. Those girls got the X but diminished the total experience until the crowd size catches up.
I don’t see them moving the girls tourney back to Ridder, but yes the X is to big for them right now. Maybe they could be talked into moving to Mariucci. Smaller than the X but bigger than Ridder. The reason I’m pushing girls hockey is that I almost played. Growing up most of my guy friends played, but you never heard of girls playing even in Peewee’s (at least not in Roch). So I played for fun with the friends who happen to be boys (in my figure skates no less, mom wouldn’t buy me hockey skates). Then I started having knee, and ankle problems because of injuries during baseball, dance, and the finally cheerleading (never land a jump wrong, you mess up all sorts of things). So by the time Mayo had a girls team (my senior year) I couldn’t skate with out immense physical pain, so no hockey for me. I did live vicariously through my friends little sister who was on the team, she was so proud, she had the first ever penalty in a Mayo girls Hockey game, for cross checking.
band,
If I understand you correctly, there were no girls youth hockey teams in your area growing up, is that right?
You would have played if you’d been given the opportunity (and if Mom approved), right?
So, if given the opportunity, and you had a passion for the game, and worked hard, you could have been one of those “better girls hockey players,” right?
Ultimately what it boils down to is:
more girls teams =
more girls players =
better players.
How closely televised girls hockey games correlate to better players is a little iffy. Certainly doesn’t hurt, I suppose.
Here is a blurb from Bucci’s mailbag portion of his ESPN column. Of course his opinion doesn’t mean a whole lot, but whenever the Wild are mentioned my ears perk up.
With the postseason Hossa is having, he will attract huge free-agent contract offers. He turns 30 next January, so one will get a player who will slowly become less durable and less productive. That being said, Hossa will likely attract offers in the neighborhood of seven years, $50-60 million. The Rangers, Bruins, Blackhawks, Blues, Kings and Wild are some teams that come to mind. But let’s face it, a player like Hossa would look good on any team if they could afford him.
AiH - thanks for the note - it is nice to have the Wild in these conversations. I also noticed on the ESPN2 crawl that the Rangers are talking contract with Jagr so that might limit what they can do.
Bloody vultures…
Kevin, you should check out Bucci’s mailbag. He goes in depth on how the Penguins could try to lock up their entire core group and potentially build a mini-dynasty.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=3405758
It is about half way down the page.
How closely televised girls hockey games correlate to better players is a little iffy. Certainly doesn’t hurt, I suppose.
bfw: the point is that making it more visible to would-be girl hockey players is only additive to the whole process. All those boys growing up wanting to play for the Gophers all those years (that was for you, WRT), had the flames of their personal fires fanned by hearing the Gophers on the radio and seeing them on the telly. Then they went out on the backyard pond and pretended they were Mayasich, or Broten, or Hauser.
I’m not willing to say the effect of watching girls/women’s hockey on TV would be any different for some young girl growing up on the range or in Rochester, is all.
bfw, that about sums it up. Of course the guys stopped wanting me to play with them once it started to become noticable that I was a girl (felt like they couldn’t play ‘physical’ with a girl, that and I think I scared them a little when I’d stare them down). And also they didn’t like when I played on defence because while I couldn’t skate very fast, and couldn’t shoot to save my life, I was darn sneaky, and could steal the puck off their sticks before they even realized what I was doing. They all wanted to be Gretzky and Mario, I just wanted to play.
Kevin, as far as I’m conserned you can keep Hossa.
I should point out that the Mr sometimes calls me his ‘Little Enforcer’ something about my ‘game face’ could give Boogey a run for his money.
And also they didn’t like when I played on defence because while I couldn’t skate very fast, and couldn’t shoot to save my life, I was darn sneaky, and could steal the puck off their sticks before they even realized what I was doing.
I’m thinking there’s a Hill or Carney joke in there somewhere, but I’ll leave that be.
bfw, I don’t care make all the jokes you want.
How come Nabokov played for Russia if he’s from Kazakhstan. Just a question.
Green*: I don’t necessarily hate the men’s Gopher hockey program in and of itself. What gets me is that you constantly hear about how great they are (and how great they ae going to be) then they constantly fall flat on their collective face and they blame everyone but themselves. If Lucia, et al, would show a little humility then that would show me something.
Why not show women’s hockey? It’s not like we’re stealing time from something else, Greenstar…or do you really LIKE the Timber-chihuahuas that much?
What gets me is that you constantly hear about how great they are (and how great they ae going to be) then they constantly fall flat on their collective face and they blame everyone but themselves.
I have my two souvenir national championship rings in my ears
Adam: You have rings in your EARS?? Now I know you are nuts…
Besides which: Last Gopher national title was in what decade??
WRT - you must have been on a huge road trip to miss the 2002 and 2003 national titles.
In asking for televising other sports, remember you are asking private enterprise to fund the events even when they do not generate enough revenue to pay the production costs.
I don’t think we can expect that. This is a capitalistic economic system, remember?
True WRT, the Brad Buetow/Doug Woog era’s were not kind, but for 23 years I stuck with them, through the bad recruiting pipeline of Bloomington Jefferson (seemed like the good Bloomington players went to CC), the Randy Skarda pipe followed by the Stauber sieve vs Hahr-vard, the blatantly illegal play by the Michigan player behind the net (picking up the puck on his stick and throwing it over DeBus’s shoulder like it was lacrosse), the ‘$500 bucks in the hat’ issue, but being in the Sunshine Factory loaded with Gopher fans and watching Grant Potulny’s shot slip over the goal line and the ensuing euphoric eruption in the bar is something I will remember until my life on this planet has ended. It was well worth the wait! If I have to wait another 18 years for the next one I gladly will!
Adam, I think he meant prior to the 2002-2003.
Gotcha - whenever I get down on life, I always remember that Woog is the ex-Gopher hockey coach
El Gato: I’m really being mis-interpreted here, IMO. I agree with you on pretty much everything you’ve said, but yes, prior to the ‘02 & ‘03 teams, when?
Sorry, but my dislike for
the ‘haughtiness’ of the U of M goes back to the mid-80’s when Woog told SCSU to go pee up a rope if ‘his team’ would ever play a ‘lowly’ opponent as SCSU supposedly was at the time (SCSU had applied for WCHA membership) and even then-Gov. Arne Carlson had to step in and tell Woog ‘play them or else the budget gets it’ as it were…
…and he stil refused to play SCSU until after they were admitted to the WCHA…
Now if we could get rid of Woog as the color man on TV, I’d be happier…
BTW: I give up. You Gopher freaks win. No common sense can be made from arguing this any further. But, can we agree to disagree and move on??
I’d much rather talk about the NHL anyways. It’s more fun…
WL: this is mainly a guess, but I’m betting Kazakhstan doesn’t have a national team or at least not much of one so he played for Mother Russia. It’s also possible he played for them at some point years ago and rules dictate he can’t play for anyone else.
AiH: I’ll check it out. And I appreciate that, Band. Hossa’s a stud even when he’s not scoring goals.
Now if we could get rid of Woog as the color man on TV, I’d be happier…
If I could do that for you WRT, I would. In fact, I will throw in Frank
Personally, I do not care for Woog for leading my neighbors kid on a few years ago but not following through with it.
But, he does offer insights to the game of hockey that because of his experiences not just anyone else has.
All this Rodent talk is making me nauseous. Please, the Cup Finals is just around the corner. Enough already!
Although, we could skip the finals (or even better, have the Pens sweep) and get to OUR offseason.
Hossa in MN? I would say there’s a ZERO percent chance of that.
I believe Rolston will re-sign.
I believe Gaborik will be traded.
I believe the Wild will be better next season.
I believe Rolston will re-sign.
I believe Gaborik will be traded.
I believe the Wild will be better next season.
I believe
We can change anything.
I believe
We can rise above this.
I believe
There’s a reason for everything.
I believe
In my dream.
the blatantly illegal play by the Michigan player behind the net (picking up the puck on his stick and throwing it over DeBus’s shoulder like it was lacrosse)
late to the party, if you can call it that, but what was illegal about this play? if the stick didn’t go higher than the crossbar then it wasn’t high sticking.
but being in the Sunshine Factory loaded with Gopher fans and watching Grant Potulny’s shot slip over the goal line and the ensuing euphoric eruption in the bar is something I will remember until my life on this planet has ended.
i think i was at the X for that one. 8th row south east corner. i will agree that was a lot of fun. i was sitting by a former weather gal (i think weather) from the number 4, which i could remember her name. I almost violated some laws that day…
How come Nabokov played for Russia if he’s from Kazakhstan. Just a question.
I thought everyone knew that Borat blew the country’s entire budget on his sojourn to meet/woo/marry pah-MELL-uh.
No more rubles for make benefit glorious tradition of Kazakhstan hockey of ice.
which i could remember her name
actually, I wish i could remember her name and I just might have. I believe it is Chandra Michaels. verry niiiiiiice.
Back to the Wild: How about a little research and finding suggesting some free agents from college or the CHL, those obscure guys that the Wild pick up every year (or should I say the ones they miss). That should keep folks busy. Thought I read something about a kid named Jeff May that the Wild had in camp last year, a defenseman that the Wings drafted. They have to restock the Aeros because I’m thinking they’re probably not going to keep all those guys around. I’m really curious to see what they do with Adrian Foster though. A former 1st round draft pick of the Devils he intrigues me now that he had one full healthy season finally.
Or you could go back to the Gophers - think the Wild should sign Blake Wheeler? He’s a free agent in a little over a week.
Didn’t the Golden Brett (somewhat infamously) play internationally for the US of A?
Lou Nanne noted the other day that an act of Congress was passed in the 1960s (?) to make him a naturalized citizen and eligible to play for Team USA. However, he also said the rules were looser back then. Nabokov’s ability to play for Russia probably reflects Russian blood in his family or some sort of agreement established to deal with the brake down of the USSR.
Side note: I was friends with DeBus’s younger brother in high school. We went to prom our junior year together. Really nice guy. Never did meet his brother.
Wasn’t KazaKhstan part of Russia at one point? It borders Russia and is probably further away from Belarus, another former Russia country.
Per TSN: AV signs 2 year extension with Canucks and Granato is Avs new head coach
Granato story
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=238519&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main
Canucks
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=238520&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main
Green*, I didn’t think it was legal to carry a puck on your stick like that (it’s not like he flipped it in the air and batted it in, he carried the puck on his stick) or else I would have believed with all the time Gretzky spent behind the net he could have scored 20 or 30 goals that way. I’ll be done with the Rodent subject in deference to WRT.
kj, I believe in all of your comments above, I just worry about what might be offered for Gaborik, I don’t think teams are going to offer as much as any of us might think.
Nice Wings/Pens preview.
Pens have an amazing disadvantage in the faceoff circle (1st vs. 30th) in this series. That could be fatal.
Green*, good call, Chandra was quite a dish.
I don’t think there’s any way JL could coach Yashin or Hossa, just my opinion.
I don’t think there’s any way JL could coach Yashin or Hossa, just my opinion.
I could be wrong, but I thought Russo noted shortly after the CL sale was announced that Hossa was a good fit for JL - solid D and good team player. If there is any Hossa hope for the Wild, I would guess that they would have to pass on signing Rolston until they can talk to Hossa.
Part of the USSR, not Russia. A big difference Sunshine.
tried to find a pic of chandra but none to be found which is wierd because pics of hot tv newspeople are everywhere. apparantly the dude she was with at the time, total tool by the way if you ask me, was from new hampshire. I think the rodents beat them in the semi’s.
boy did i have a little something for her.
Hossa’s a phenomenal backchecker.
As for faceoffs, yeah, in the regular season we sucked, but it’s been a lot better in the playoffs. Dunno if it’ll be good enough against the likes of Detroit though.
KiPA…so I’m sorry about leaving you high and dry for the ECF. I never got the write up from the Flyers fan I had talked to, so there it is…
Nothing personal, man!
Claire,
I’d be surprised if the Coyotes don’t get a deal done before Wheeler becomes a free agent. I agree that it will be interesting to see what happens with in Houston as their roster also has a lot of guys who need decisions to made on.
BTW, anyone catch any Spokane Chiefs games in the Memorial Cup tournament? Wild prospect Justing Falk is on the team. Obviously he’s got great size, and he looks like a decent skater, but his puck skills need work. He’s not making the quick decisive passes out of the zone I’d like to see.
- #2 has an article on Ryan Malone - http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/19160724.html?location_refer=Homepage
- In NW Division coaching news, Vigneault gets an extension and Tony Granato gets his old job back with the Avs.
Toivo…
Glad you brought up the Memorial Cup…
Now that the NHL Network picked it up, It’s really the first time I’ve seen a full CHL game, and it’s pretty interesting. I know a few players on each team are young, like 16 yrs. old, and I remember a few names from the World Juniors. But I’m having a little trouble comparing it to say…NCAA Hockey. I just don’t quite understand the level that they play. And to be able to play with visors, I think it allows for a cleaner game.
I haven’t seen a Spokane game yet so I can’t comment on Falk. I’ll keep my eye out for him.
I was looking something up and stumbled across some news out of Chicago. Apparently they signed three of their RFA’s, Burish, Byfuglien, and Wisniewski. I wish DR would get something done with our boys in limbo. This waiting is killing me slowly.
Yeah, it’s my first chance to watch a full CHL game as well. Drayson Bowman on the Chiefs, he’s a sniper. I think the Hurricanes have a winner with him. I wish I could say the same for Falk, but he’s definitely going to be a project, which I suppose is what you expect in the third round.
but he’s definitely going to be a project, which I suppose is what you expect in the third round.
Unless you’re Detroit, you mean, right toivo?
band,
did you know…
that Byfuglien is from Roseau?
Check out his story:
KiPA,
Bad news: The “Mule” has been cleared to practice Friday. Sorry, man.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/19180809.html?location_refer=Most%20Viewed:Wild
The Wild signed defenseman Maxim Noreau! Does that count?
Checking Noreau’s stats, it looks like he is an undrafted player who signed with the Aeros. (8-8-16) in 50 games with the Aeros.
Not nearly as exciting as other recent signings but at least its a move. Wasn’t it about this time that they announced the Backstrom extension?
BFWi, I think the Byfuglien from Roseau lore is a little exaggerated.
Something I read made me believe he is really more Chicago than Roseau. That is a family name up there though.
Unless you’re Detroit, you mean, right toivo?
That’s the meme this year, isn’t it? I’m not saying the Wings haven’t done a great job drafting and front office maneuvering in general, but I think that some of that needs to be taken with some perspective. For one, all of their jackpots are Euros drafted under the previous CBA which was much friendlier toward drafting Euros. Clearly they had an edge in that department, especially in Sweden. It will be interesting to see how they do with their post-lockout picks. I will add that their later-round scores were projects, too. Franzen was drafted at 24 and is having his breakout season at 28. Zetterberg was 22 when he played his first NHL game and didn’t really emerge until he was 25. Datsyuk was similar.
Note: 4th round for Falk, actually.
Noreau could be an interesting story. He put up great numbers in juniors, and seems to have held up in the AHL. Seems the Wild like what they’ve seen enough to get in their system for a few years to see how he comes along. He’s only 20 right now, so perhaps he’s now their top defensive prospect, eh?
There’s a lot of talk about maybe Gillies making the team next year also Reitz and Pouliot. Do you think the Wild would take Gillies over Kalus? Gillies work ethic might be more welcome since I get the feeling that Kalus is a little like Pouliot — lots of skills but don’t work too hard.
Assuming of course that the Wild has at least 3 rookie roster spots open.
No worries, Nick.
I saw that, bfw. I expected it.
Sunshine,
Gillies, IMO, will make the team. It’s just a hunch, but I think he will. He’s the next 19 year old they won’t want to send back to juniors, and that’s why he might make the roster ahead of Kalus. Also, Kalus didn’t exactly have a stellar season in Houston, so we’ll see.
Reitz, I’m not so sure about. He wants either a one-way contract or he’s heading to Europe, and I’m not sure if the Wild are going to offer him one.
Pouliot, I think he’s going to be on the roster as well. He’s in the last year of his contract, so I think the Wild are going to make this season his chance to prove them right. Or wrong.
There should be roster spots open.
Gillies and Pouliot barring some unforeseen setback will make the Wild’s roster out of training camp. I’m not sold on Reitz playing big minutes in the NHL. However, he has been steady player with a solid attitude for years and I could see the Wild rewarding him for that.
I like the Noreau signing. He was a steadily improving defenseman all season. I’ve said good things about him throughout the year on this board. I think Clayton Stoner is the top defensive prospect that might play with the Wild next season but Noreau won’t be too far behind.
Stoner and Noreau play different styles so you can’t really compare them. Stoner, bigger in size likes to play the physical game.
There is a defensive prospect in the Canadian Juniors that I believe is regarded as the Wild’s top long term defensive prospect. Falk is it?
After this past season Kalus is a long shot to see any time with the Wild next season, let alone make the team out of camp. The guy was let go early to play in the International tournament but I don’t believe he even made the Czech team.
Thanks guys. I was reflecting back on the Fernandez trade and thought maybe Kalus is the case of being a better player playing with better players.
I kind of feel bad for Reitz. I’d like the Wild to give him at least a one-year contract to test him out as long as we get a couple of good UFA d-men. I think a veteran UFA d-men to mentor Reitz would be great.
Bad news (for most of Russovile) and some good news from Zulgad:
Bad: D&D highly likely to get new contracts
Good (I would hope this points to more Wild HD games next year):
FSN North will transition to round-the-clock HD programming next year. Randy Freer, president of FSN Networks, said that all 16 regional sports networks owned and operated by Fox will be making the move to full time HD in the first quarter of next year.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/19194504.html?location_refer=Homepage
13 hours and no posts, this must ba a record.
Slow day today or is everyone waiting for tomorrow?
UFC 87 at the target center is onsale sunday. $250 to get in the lower level. yikes!!!!
Brock Lesnar is fighting in that one correct?
Hey Russo - cat got your tongue? .. havn’t seen anything new in a while!??
We get the tv coverage, I will not complain about who does the broadcast.
All of them are light years ahead of Beutow who it seemed spoke only to hear his own voice resonate.
It’s Russo’s offseason.
I’m guessing his next post will be around June 1st with an update on which of the prospects the Wild signed and which they’ve set free.
Then there will be a draft post. Next up will be the prospect camp, and before we know it, the whole thing will be cranking up again.
There is a defensive prospect in the Canadian Juniors that I believe is regarded as the Wild’s top long term defensive prospect. Falk is it?
Yes. Spokane Chiefs, #15. You can watch them on the NHL Network in the Memorial Cup final on Sunday.
After this past season Kalus is a long shot to see any time with the Wild next season, let alone make the team out of camp.
Yeah, that’s my impression as well. I think I read somewhere that he and Constantine didn’t exactly have the best relationship. What was your impression down there?
I kind of feel bad for Reitz. I’d like the Wild to give him at least a one-year contract to test him out as long as we get a couple of good UFA d-men.
Hmmm… maybe. I’m not sure if signing him with the idea that he’ll more often than not be a scratch, which is what would happen if the Wild pick up a couple of UFAs, is the best thing for him. He’s not so young that he would learn by watching so much.
That said, I think his first choice would be to get and NHL contract. But as I pointed out above, he’s heading to Europe if he doesn’t get one. I think he sees that at this point in his career, he needs to get paid, and he can make a lot more in Europe than he would in the AHL.
lesner is on the card. they just added a st pierre title defense.
That said, I think his first choice would be to get and NHL contract. But as I pointed out above, he’s heading to Europe if he doesn’t get one. I think he sees that at this point in his career, he needs to get paid, and he can make a lot more in Europe than he would in the AHL.
As a Group VI Free Agent, he’ll be able to sign with any NHL team as the Free Agency period begins July 1st.
So what’s your take on the most likely scenarios?
Will we offer a contract before or after 7/1, if at all? As you’ve noted, at this stage, he’s got to think about maxing out his $$$ potential, so would he consider signing another 2-way NHL contract?
What about the Maxim Noreau signing? It would seem at his age he’s destined for more seasoning in the ‘H’, but Lynn’s comments are cryptic: “Now, his next challenge will be demonstrating he belongs in the NHL.” Does he have a shot at a spot in camp?
With Fozzie expected back no sooner than end-of-the-year, we’re looking at being arguably short 4 d-men for starters. Do we sign 4 UFA’s? Do Reitz and/or Noreau get a shot?