Bruno’s back; Wild trades for Zidlicky; Rolston signs with the Devils
Posted on July 1st, 2008 – 11:00 AMBy Michael Russo
OK, I’m finally getting some breathing room here and I know this blog is as messy and unorganized as one of my kindergarten drawings, so I’m about to start a new post in a few minutes. I’ll try to give you some fresh stuff and analysis.
Wild has signed right wing Craig Weller as a depth move.
Risebrough says he’s been talking to Rolston and he’s going to have to make a choice. I’m hearing Devils now. And it’s official. Rolston to Jersey at four years, $20 million! Bobby Holik back to Jersey, too. Man, Holik, Rolston. How about Scott Stevens? Jacques Lemaire, maybe?
Risebrough indicates the Wild is not done. There’s no doubt the Wild is in on a couple of other deals. Risebrough admitted to talking to two players — who have not yet signed — directly to let them know “what the Wild is all about.”
Risebrough said something else big could happen, but if it doesn’t, “I wouldn’t describe today as not being big.”
By the way, neither team has reached Zidlicky today.
—-
Chicago signed Brian Campbell to an eight-year, $56.8 million deal, beating out Atlanta. Nicklas Lidstrom should ask for a raise now.
Just an update: Wild is working right now. We’re getting Risebrough at 5, and then he’s going back to work.
I know the Wild has talked with Michael Ryder’s reps and Kristian Huselius’ reps today, and there’s clearly other issues. Wild has made another offer to Rolston. He also has offers, I believe, from New Jersey, Pittsburgh, the Rangers and Detroit. He turned down a three-year, $13.5 million deal from Tampa Bay, by the way.
I know Rolston’s camp has talked with the Wild. If the Red Wings are legit, it’ll be tough for Rolston to leave that on the table.
I have not gotten to calling centerman agents yet today.
STAR TRIBUNE REPORTING
WILD HAS OFFICIALLY SIGNED ANDREW BRUNETTE TO A THREE-YEAR, $7 MILLION DEAL AND HAS ACQUIRED DEFENSEMAN MAREK ZIDLICKY, A QUALITY OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN, FOR RYAN JONES AND A 2009 SECOND-ROUND PICK.
Wild is definitely not done, I’m hearing. Whether that results in something, who knows? But I’ve been informed it’s “far from over.” Don’t let that freak you out, but it means they’re working.
Todd Fedoruk has signed in Phoenix. Mats Sundin apparently has been offered a two-year, $20 million deal by Vancouver. Brian Campbell’s got Chicago and Atlanta all over him. ADam Hall to Tampa Bay. Rangers sign Aaron Voros. Vancouver signs David Backes to an offer sheet!
Tucker to Colorado…Trust me, this will be your new Matt Cooke and Alex Burrows. Get ready to boo.
Here’s the link to watch Andrew Brunette’s winner against Colorado in Game 7 of the ‘03 quarters.
Zidlicky has two more years left on his deal at $3.5 million each with a cap hit of $3.35 million.
I’ll be in and out of here for awhile as I make calls. Obviously, you know I’ll keep you up to date on the Wild and be back later on for a complete wrap-up of the day.
I can tell you, if you’re trying to make sense of Zidlicky, this is basically what I predicted a few blogs ago. The Wild seemed to be concerned about giving a five- or six-year deal at $4 or $5 or even more million a year for a defenseman it did not consider to be star-studded.
You can read what I wrote a few blogs ago, but I started to get an indication that they much rather trade for a solid defenseman with only a couple of years left on his contract.
Couple interesting things: Ryan Jones has been in town most this summer working out at the X trying to get prepared for this season. Also, Zidlicky’s no-trade clause expired … this morning.
Here is a blog item on Zidlicky from a few days ago from my pal, John Glennon, of the Tennessean.
From the Zidlicky press release: “Marek is a top offensive puck-moving defenseman who will add tempo to our lineup,” Wild GM Doug Risebrough said. “He will complement a defense that is becoming more mobile and skilled, which we anticipate will make our team as a whole more offensive.”
This doesn’t necessarily mean the Wild is done for the day obviously. This is just the stuff I know now.
As for Bruno, he’s back and excited. Brunette ranks third in Wild history with 26 power-play goals and 110 assists and fifth with 164 points, and Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough has said routinely in the past few years that he erred in not re-signing Brunette after the lockout.
He’s the NHL’s current Iron Man leader at 453 straight games played. His contract is for $2.5 million, $2.5 million and $2 million.
———————————————————————————-
I hear Chicago is also hot after Campbell
Check out this link for your amusement (thanks to Fiona Quick for emailing this link)
I was asked via email to post blog updates on top rather than bottom. I aim to please:
Joni Pitkanen to Carolina for Erik Cole. Edmonton is going to be much better next season.
Radim Vrbata got $9 million from Tampa Bay for three years.
A player just told me Atlanta offered Brian Campbell a contract worth $60 million. Not sure of years, but I think EIGHT…sorry I put seven originally….
OK, I’m back, caffeinated and ready to go. Make sure you refresh this all day because I’ll have updates.
I learned today how many NHL types and players read this blog. Lots of emails wishing me luck when I go under the knife. None from the Star Tribune readership, I might add.
But I forgive you. You’re consumed with more critical things, like the free-agent frenzy.
I don’t know how this will go, lots of signings early or a calm before the storm. Remember, it took three hours last year before Todd White became the first NHL free agent to sign in Atlanta. That got the ball rolling.
I have a feeling this will be quicker. There is clear tampering going on. I just read one blog with a coach quoted at 10 a.m. ET saying he was in a nerve center and people were pounding out phone calls. The coach was openly talking about his team, we’ll say Tampa Bay, and how it was going hard after Radim Vrbata, which I believe I’ve reported here the last few days.
Brian Rolston promises to keep me informed today. He’s hoping for Detroit but hasn’t ruled out Tampa Bay, who offered him a sick deal. By the way, the Wild was miffed by a report in another publication that said the Wild’s best offer to Rolston was around $3.5 million.
Assistant GM Tom Lynn said that was “way low,” and Rolston also indicated to me that the Wild offered him a very quality contract. He just felt this was a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.
NHL Network is reporting Brad Stuart has re-signed in Detroit, Pascal Dupuis has re-signed in Pittsburgh and Jay Pandolfo re-signed in New Jersey. Rene Bourque was traded from Chicago to Calgary for a pick.
I do have to say about this frenzy, as exciting as this time is for you and me, it is quite absurd. I was talking to a team exec the other day about this.
Isn’t it stupid that the NHL allows this feeding frenzy? Why is there no negotiating period for a week like the NBA? This way, instead of people inflating the market and trying to outbid a million teams, players can actually visit teams and scout markets for themselves — like a Brian Rolston going and checking out Tampa and a half-dozen other teams.
It would also negate the rampant tampering in this league, which is disgraceful.
1 p.m. If you have NHL Network, Game 1 of Wild-Avalanche 2008 series is being replayed. I predict Joe Sakic wins it in OT.
1178 Responses to "Bruno’s back; Wild trades for Zidlicky; Rolston signs with the Devils"
Have a happy surgery, Don!
KiPA = suck up
Just trying to distract myself from the impending headline “Hossa bolts Crosby, Pens, signs $600m, 18-yr deal with some team that sucks.”
D’ya think some of the players post here and stick up for themselves??? 
Hey man, I offered to build you a ramp… sheeh. Or shall I say… Mojzis. Ha.
Bring it, people.
18-yr deal with some team that sucks
some team that USED to suck…
kj: I always find it’s hard to type while laughing… 
Well, kj, as G* pointed out, Hossa isn’t exactly Gretzky.
good luck with the surgery russo
Lets go wild, make a splash
LOL
Anyway good luck with the surgery.
BTW,
If any NHL players actually read this blog we understand the NHl is a business but we also understand taking the discount helps bring in better players to make the Wild Stanley Cup material. Not exactly rocket science.
444
kj - No, either that or Skouba can’t read English 
ms.c is on FIRE today!
Link to NHL radio….
I thought you’d already had the surgery. Good luck under the knife Mr. Russo.
FYI everyone- Charlie Walters was the one reporting 3.5 million.
Cujo to Toronto as a back up…
Pitkanen to Canes, Cole to the Grease.
Good Luck on your foot surgery Russo and thanks for the updates.
wow…pitkanen for Cole…the Grease going out on the limb for that one.
Another NHL Live rumor: Shanny to sign with NJD
I think both Pitkanen and Cole are RFAs in the last year like PMB
Would make sense for Shanahan. That’s where he started.
This is nuts. I don’t know whether to refresh and just look at the Don’s updates above, or the Russotoans.
Russo when this is all said and done please ask Brian if it is ok to go public with the Wild offer. We would like to know what Risebrough offered him. Thanks.
Oh crap. My Shanny loving/Devil hating friend is going to have a stroke…
hockeydad: I just made a run around the various sites I frequent and this one is at least as fast as the fastest.
Good luck there Russo! There, wished ya luck, but you should know us hockey types go under the knife all the time, then we’re out doing yard work and roofing later in the day. We thought you were one of us?
Well, Stuart’s off. TSN also reporting Mike Green resigned with the Caps, so there’s a good RFA D off the market. 2 down.
WOW - Anaheim re-sign forward Corey Perry to a five-year deal worth $26.625-million
Oh my god oh my god….Aggggghhhhhhh!!!!…… Sorry, frenzy took over my brain. I think I’ll go make banana bread and look away from the hockey stuff for a little bit.
Let the disappointment begin. :-/
I’m not a DR fan, but at least he got a 4th rounder out of TB for basically nothing (allowing them to negotiate with Rolston). Is that correct?
Whoa… Burke throwing out the dough to Perry!
According to TSN.ca Dupuis contact is for 3 years and $1.4M per year.
Remember when the Grease offer sheeted Penner, wasn’t part of Burke’s issue that he would then have to give Getzlaf and Perry the same?
Burke wants to keep Perry in the West so he doesn’t have to face him next yr when he is GM in Toronto. 
I had thought Cole was still “injury plagued”, but I guess he’s over that (71 and 73 GP in the last two seasons).
NiNY - IIRC you are correct.
Dupuis remains a Penguin - so much for rebuilding the retro Wild.
Foote gets a 2 yr deal @ 3M/yr with the Avs again.
good…so we still have a shot at seeing Gaby drop his purse with Foote…for now, anyway…
DR went to lunch, he thought it started at 12:00 CENTRAL time!
Their cap already stands right around $50 million, leaving them with slightly less than $7 million in potential shopping dollars
Boston Globe says the Bruins won’t play for Hossa.
Cole had a very bad neck injury during the SCP and this past year, they thought he might have re-injured it again when he received a hit to the head. Nothing serious but just a sore head.
He is UFA and signed this coming season at $4 miliion while JP is RFA this season
Which team is most likely to replace the Wild in the playoffs next season? Is Edmonton the favorite? Phoenix and Chicago should be much improved also. Who is going to score for the Wild this year when Gaborik takes his annual in season vacation?
I think players have better things to do than read blogs.
I think the Wild should roll the dice with Jason Smith’s shoulders if the price is right.
i like perry and would think that contract is in range for him.
D’ya think some of the players post here and stick up for themselves???
one might think yawnson hijacked 6 goalie system monkier to defend himself.
Cole had a very bad neck injury
The recipient of a check from behind by Mr. Orpik.
Yeah, like spending 10 hours a day in the Formula 1 racing simulator!
DR has now finished his happy meal and is headed off to SA to fill up the vehicle for his pumpkin run tonight!
Which team is most likely to replace the Wild in the playoffs next season?
i didn’t know the wild were missing the playoffs next season.
one might think yawnson hijacked 6 goalie system monkier to defend himself.
Busted!
I don’t if its tampering but I understand that after midnight on July 1st, teams can start talking to UFAs but can’t announce any signings until 12 EST.
I’d give Rolson 4.5, 5.5, 5.5, 4.0 and 2.5 -4.0 and 2.5 might seem like a bit much for someone his age, but he will be a valuable powerplay specialist at that age. I wouldn’t give him a no trade clause in years 4 or 5, though.
(Rolston -make this your counter offer!)
He’ll probably get more than that.
If the Wild don’t sign any “big-time” free agents, will they refund the raise in our season ticket prices for ‘08-’09?
How about adding Hagman from Dallas, Stillman from Ottawa and maybe even taking a run at Campbell of San Jose? If we got at least 2 of the 3 we would have a better team than we had last year.
sunshine, that would make a lot of sense on why stuff is going on. Why would you want to be able to announce anything at 1 in the morning, unless you were the T-Wolves trading the 3rd overall pick?
that’s original pucker. dig it.
Rene Bourque to the Flames.
Yeah, that was a rude awakening by the Wolves.
Can I get confirmation on something from the last thread please?
The 35+ CBA rule that penalizes teams that sign a 35 year old (or older)… it’s based on the age at the time of signing? So you could sign a sub-35 year old to a long term deal and if leaves 2 years later there is no cap hit?
DR spotted at Target buying more minutes for his pay as you go phone….
FYI, you cannot talk to a player until noon ET, not midnight…That used to be the time…
Schmidty, yes time of signing. So a long-term deal to Brunette, 34, would not fall under 35-year-old rule, for example.
Thanks for the update Mr. Russo, make sure the doctors work on the correct foot. I didn’t know Reusse could do that much damage stepping on it.
I would gamble that he wouldn’t leave. It would keep him and it would probably mean that we wouldn’t have to pay even more/year to keep him.
Again-even when he is 39/40, his slapshot on the pp will be worth 2.5 million/year.
Russo, get back up to the top where you belong!!!
learned today how many NHL types and players read this blog. Lots of emails wishing me luck when I go under the knife. None from the Star Tribune readership, I might add
Drop some names Russo.
Pucker: Getting a 4th rounder is nothing for this team. Now, maybe a team with a scouting department that can spot talent past the first round may be able to use that pick. But for the Wild, a 4th rounder is worthless. Sad But True. (always looking to work in Metallica song titles into the post)
Bruins signed Blake Wheeler.
Russo,
As I did not know you were seeing Dr. Nick Riviera for your foot, I didn’t think you would need any luck. Now that I know…
So… Eklund on hockeybuzz is of course reporting that Rolston is coming back to Minny. Why does Eklund play with our hears like that?
Thanks Russo for clearing that up for me. Glad to see you on and around. Hope the foot feels better during this busy day!
4th pick better than nothing. I guess some would like nothing instead.
I think the old rule of talking after midnight and then announcing at noon works better for fans. We will all have the major signings up sooner than waiting 3 hours for the first one.
DB - If DR blows it today/this week, here’s a couple more Metallica titles for you
DR - Unforgiven
Tom Lynn - Unforgiven II
Vrbata signed in TB.
yes time of signing. So a long-term deal to Brunette, 34, would not fall under 35-year-old rule, for example
Mike, thanks for having my back, er, the clarification.
BNAG: the frayed ends of sanity. I think that one’s more appropriate.
Seriously, fuck Tampa. Geezus. Enjoy the 8.00 GAA next season.
Vrbata to tampa $3M/year
Boogie..
DR-Misery
Please keep the blog clean, my kids read this for NHL Hockey info. No more effin hymers please.
Is the Vrbata the first UFA signing not of the same team that the player was with last season?
Sorry, Frank, I’ll keep it clean.
(There’s supposedly moderation on this board but it doesn’t seem to be very good.)
Three years, $9MM for Vrbata. Not bad.
sunshine: I think so.
KiPA, I do understand your frustration! It’s going to be interesting watching the new experiment down there, and see who wants out by mid-Feb lol.
Does it mean anything that Rolston is listed on the Lightning’s roster (http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=TeamPlayers&type=roster) or is it just a technicality?
Vrbata was one guy I really wanted. To see the Yankees get him… ugh.
Wes is going to teach all the forwards of the JL mantra, call him a wizard-in-training! They won’t need defense!
No, that’s correct. In essence, he was traded to TB. Now he’s not with them anymore, since he’s a UFA.
1 hour in…. nothing, must be saving the fireworks for Friday, after all the “A” and “B” players are signed.
You hearing any rumors Russo around the Wild? Bruno, Demo, Hossa?
Who is DR dealing with?
PHX: Being as they owned his rights for a few days, he technically was on their roster….How on earth is Tampa paying for all this? It reminds me of Philly last year.
DR just got back from his errands and said, ‘It started WHEN?’
Oh yeah, Happy Canada Day!
I didn’t know Reusse could do that much damage stepping on it.
Have you seen Reusse lately?
Hossa here we come!
Leopold sure has been like a ghost since he bought this team. No word from him and no signs of a deep pocket book via free agency.
How many more players will sign up to “Ride the Lightning” today?
Well, despite the fact I don’t see any possibility of Hossa coming here, I did email some friends in Slovakia who do know him and Gaborik they should make a casual suggestion to come here. I offered to buy the beer and Slivovica.
“Ride the Lightning” today?
What is this, Metallica Tuesday? lol.
CuJo back in Toronto
How on earth is Tampa paying for all this?
They had a lot of cap room.
I didn’t know Reusse could do that much damage stepping on it.
Have you seen Reusse lately?
Yeah, Ruesse doesn’t miss any meals…or snacks either…
Hmmm…cross Vrbata off the list.
I wonder if DR ponied up any kind of an offer for him?
They had a lot of cap room.
Then why are they about to trade Boyle?
DR’s talking to wife & family, that’s who. He’s rubbing his eyes and saying something like he over-slept, but there was nothing going on today anyway.
CuJo back in Toronto
What is he, like, 50 now?
Hnat Domenichelli - classic expansion Wild player. Bad day to have to recall that name.
I looked last night and they have about $35.5 mil tied up in 11 players, including all the recent signings and Vrbata. The link at the top with a cover dedicated to Nummelin made my day
Bolts Signing Vrbata…must mean Rolston is NOT going there….will he be back?
I wonder if DR ponied up any kind of an offer for him?
i’m sure he lowballed him
DR spotted on 94 East for Hudson to buy fireworks for Wild Exec party on Friday. Wanted Bomber to go, but he was busy running to Starbucks.
Like the link. If you look at the roster Hnat Domenichelli and Johnny Pohl are also on the roster.
Seriously, though, any word on Rolston?
must mean Rolston is NOT going there
Don’t be so sure. Russo said they were pursuing even as they were going after Rolston.
I’m wondering if Leopold’s wife said enough is enough after the Nashville experience, and won’t let him pony up to make the team better? Uh-oh! I just gave DR another excuse!
Oh, and I highly recommend clinking on the link Russo has above. I got a couple of good chuckles there.
Then why are they about to trade Boyle?
To try and go after Hossa?
To try and go after Hossa?
Probably.
Maybe Rolston is more of a team player than we ever imagined…Giving his rights to Tampa, stealing the team a draft pick, only to sign back on the hometown squad…Rolston, you sly dog you…
Are you kidding me… I’m at the tipping point - first $4/gallon of gas, now $90 for a lower deck ticket to watch some joker getting paid $60M over 7 years…I really did get into the wrong line of work!!!
To try and go after Hossa?
Probably.
Shhhhhhhhhh! Don’t tell schmitty.
$60MM/8years is an awful lot of money for Campbell. I get the feeling that he’s going to be a guy that ends up being a regrettable signing if that number is accurate.
So I’m trying to figure out how to buy a hockey club lugano jersey. . .
Russo - Great link, to think that Petteri will have the fans thinking of the promised land is a bit strange…
*exclusive and artistic pictures of the sweating players*
Um. Do they ship that magazine to the US?
THE OIL….looks like they are shaking things up. Adding Cole is a nice move. So is adding Brule.
Me thinks the Wild are tumbling down the Division Standings as we speak….
Risebrough will be “smart” and avoid this feeding frenzy…but it won’t help our team get any better.
We seem to be of the mind that it’s better to be right than good! (about the whole unfounded escalation of salaries issue)
In the end, it really doesn’t matter what CL spends. They’ve all got to fit under the cap.
Question - What is to stop a team, lets just say pick I don’t know, Tampa out of the air… what’s to stop a team from signing everyone they can get their hands on for market value or slightly above and not worrying about the cap today. Now say they sign so many guys that they are way, way over the cap. What’s to stop them from then trading those guys for picks/prospects (essentially zero cap number guys) until they fall under the cap and have the players they want? Asside from the obvious problem that one might run into of not being able to trade away enough to fit under the cap are there any rules against trying that approach?
*exclusive and artistic pictures of the sweating players*
Um. Do they ship that magazine to the US?
Be sure to ask for “discrete packaging.”
[…] 1:21 PM - $60 million for Brian Campbell? link […]
to think that Petteri will have the fans thinking of the promised land is a bit strange…
They must be looking for the world’s best popcorn…
In the end, it really doesn’t matter what CL spends. They’ve all got to fit under the cap.
Question - What is to stop a team, lets just say pick I don’t know, Tampa out of the air… what’s to stop a team from signing everyone they can get their hands on for market value or slightly above and not worrying about the cap today. Now say they sign so many guys that they are way, way over the cap. What’s to stop them from then trading those guys for picks/prospects (essentially zero cap number guys) until they fall under the cap and have the players they want? Asside from the obvious problem that one might run into of not being able to trade away enough to fit under the cap are there any rules against trying that approach?
The league has to approval all trades. In that scenario, the trades that put the team out of compliance withe the CBA would not be approved.
Me thinks the Wild are tumbling down the Division Standings as we speak….
me wonders why we even play the games and don’t simply assign playoff positions the day after UFA signing day.
DR at Wells Fargo signing his bonus check for not signing any players!
Michael (Russo): Seriously, which flight were you on when the flight attendant ran the cart over your foot?
Will the Wild actually SIGN someone good today? I mean, first-line good? What about this $16M in cap room? The Leipold promise to do what it takes, the ‘in it to win it’ approach?
Or will CL let DR do it his way (i.e., on the cheap)?
fyi, on boyle, they’re not trading him now…it’ll be this summer, i am told
edgewild - Brule had 9 points in 61 games last year, which one was your favorite?
I really did get into the wrong line of work!!!
Yeah, too bad you can’t pump gas for a living anymore, eh? Those guys would be making bank with today’s prices.
Oh, that’s not what you meant?
Nevermind.
oh my, i just got the “slow down” treatment from my own blog.
So he’s gone, regardless. Just not today. Okay, thanks Russo.
Run and gun style in Fla. Get your Center Ice package now.
BNAG: World’s best popcorn at a hockey arena? Guaranteed…Edmonton, Rexall Place. I still think back on it…it was THAT good, even 3 months later!
bfw, so you’re saying that the league would cut off a team from signing anyone as soon as they hit the cap?
BTW, who thinks Sakic is going to pull a ‘Niedermeyer’ this upcoming season?
oh my, i just got the “slow down” treatment from my own blog.
Hysterical!
You can’t make that stuff up, eh, Mike?
Saladin - Once again when are some of you so called fans wake up and realize that the Wild actually have spent up close to the cap at least the last few years. You cannot call them cheap any more without sounding like a fool!
I’m of my mini rant again!!!
Random thought to keep me from driving to the X…
Will #2 become The Don while The Don is under the knife?
I don’t think Sakic will do that, too much class.
Goody, you can temporarily exceed that Cap, but you must then make adjustments to get under. Don’t have the dates in front of me. It’s later in the summer, iirc.
Wow, big props for Russo from EJ AND we’ve nabbed us some Bruno! YAY!
Shout out for Russo on NHL Live on the Wild’s dealings just now.
bfw - Think you can exceed the by 10% but need to be back bellow by the time training camp starts or something like that.
Wow, NHL Radio just quoted Russo!
Very good Mike!
Russo gets some love from Hradek!! So, two signings already!!
the, the, should read the cap, sorry.
WRT - Nummi must have made it….
Above:WILD HAS SIGNED ANDREW BRUNETTE TO A MULTI-YEAR DEAL AND HAS ACQUIRED DEFENSEMAN MAREK ZIDLICKY, A QUALITY OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN, FOR RYAN JONES AND A 2009 SECOND-ROUND PICK
Yes! Zidlicky is a $3.5 cap hit for the next 2 years.
Awww poop! We traded Jonesy??? He was so adorable! *sniff* I need a moment.
What do we think of Zidlicky?
Does Shep give #15 back to Bruno?
Zidlicky SHOULD replace maybe, Foster as #5 D-man? He’ll do more as #5 than Skoula does at #4…
Bruno’s back? Is DR really trying to suck up to the fan base and try to correct his mistakes?
If he is, it might be working..a little bit..but keep working at it, DR!
I’m getting a Zidlicky jersey right now. Do you likey the Licky?
The Vrbata signing is not an exact comparable - but it’s somewhat close - to what P-Marc could be looking at. Both wingers, Vrbata is 34 months older, but they’ve played a similar amount of time in the NHL (354 games for PMB, 402 for Vrbata) and have scored a similar # of points (221 for PMB, 226 for Vrbata). Vrbata is -6 for his career, while P-Marc is +21.
So if Vrbata’s a $3 million a year player, and I’m P-Marc’s agent, I’m telling DR: My guy’s younger, with more upside, more points per game and he can test the market next year. So let’s start the talks at 5 years for $22 million, maybe?
BDS: Yeah, Parrish was well spent money wasn’t it. Chris Simon added a lot to the playoffs, didn’t he. A bunch of $1MM players really adds a lot to the team, doesn’t it.
I am a p’oed fan who happens to have 4 seasons tickets. My problem is I am not from MN, so I don’t have the I’m so glad the Wild are back after the Stars left, that I will never question the direction of the team again, attitude.
I want my hard-earned money’s worth
sweet……DR come thru…..
bfw - Think you can exceed the by 10% but need to be back bellow by the time training camp starts or something like that.
That’s it, sounds ’bout right. Thx.
Nice to see Bruno back!.
Zidlicky! Me Likey!
As a DR detractor, enough with the “he is out getting hot dogs at SA” crap.
Bruno has offered to help move Shep out of Darby’s basement to secure the rights to #15.
Shep will be FORCED to give #15 back to Bruno. Of course, something good for Shep will be involved ($$) or something bad (Shep getting taped and left in the training room)…
that was the one prospect I liked. we finally had a good college player. a real power forward. better trade our rough north americans for another European.
SIGN PMB…at any cost!!!
(mainly because I have his jersey!)
Nashville trades defenceman Marek Zidlicky to Minnesota for prospect Ryan Jones from Miami of Ohio and a second round pick. Details to follow.
So how come when I go searching for Zidlicky’s stats I’m getting nada? This has me a bit worried.
Did the Don misspell?
The important thing is we got a retread (I like Bruno but we lost 3 good years) and an undersized defensemen.
Super
Rolston will come back for less $. Remember Kirby? He became the state’s hero. Rolston should do the same.
Good job DR so far, but we need one more at least to replace Rolston.
DB - With the trading of Jones, thus ends the 2004 draft class, correct?
Saladin - You are missing my point. They might not have spent money wisely but the point is they have spent money. How is that cheap?
Are you kidding me on Jones? Does Risebrough know how to make a trade without giving up any of the decent young future talent of this team?
6GS - At least we know he was on the phone when he went to get the hot dogs now…
they’re not trading him now…it’ll be this summer, i am told
That won’t be a simple thing though. Boyle would have to wave his NTC, and then there would have to be a team willing to take on his $6.67MM cap hit. He’s a good player, but that’s a lot of money.
El Gato: I think you are correct. The Wild have cleaned house of the disasterous 2004 draft class with Ryan Jones’ departure…
Claire, Ryan Jones is a future third-line player on the top end and a career AHLer on the bottom end. I don’t think it’s a big loss.
So how come when I go searching for Zidlicky’s stats I’m getting nada? This has me a bit worried.
Did the Don misspell?
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2374&hubname=nhl-predators
- reid - how many Miami of OH and late season Aeros games did you watch to form your opinion? When AiH says “Zidlicky! Me Likey!” you know this deal is good.
A very pleasing start to the summer…
[…] forward Andrew Brunette has signed with the Wild. The move is a bit of a homecoming for Brunette. He played for the Wild from 2001 until […]
So does DR see Zidlicky as a C or B player?
Do you know what kind of leadership qualities Jones has? Take a look at the Red Wings third line, Kris Draper look familiar? That’s who Ryan Jones will be.
Zidlicky: Played in 79 games for the preds last year, 5 goals, 38 assists, +/- -5
Stoner still remains from 2004.
I’m not sure we should be giving up a prospect and 2nd round pick. It’s hard to build a team without prospects. Though admittedly I don’t know much about Zidlicky.
Thanks bfw, not sure what I was doing wrong though. Now what worries me is that he is Czech. The Wild have not had such good luck with Czech defensemen if’n I remember correctly.
Defensemen:
GOALS (5) Tied for 63rd
ASSISTS (38) Tied for 10th
POINTS (43) Tied for 14th
See above, Bruno not signed on the dotted line yet…
By the way, I think I just got scoreboard on the Brunette signing.
Don’t think of it as Ryan Jones, think of it as a 4th round and 2nd round pick for Zidlicky.
Sure Jones was fun to watch in college, but I think his upside is limited. The Wild were in no hurry to pull him from college and had no reservation about trading him. Enough said.
Sorry ms. conduct.
Claire - And you know what kind of leadership qualites he has, how? Just asking.
Zidlicky - $3.5 million a year for this year and next.
If Bruno is $2.5 million (guessing) then we should have $11 million left to go sign that “impact forward” (whishpers… HOSSA) and maybe a Center.
Hossa for $9 million, Holik for $1.5 million? Call it a day?
well, wow, we are all NHL level talent scouts. and we can predict the future. how many games did I watch? i watched some NCAA games where he looked like a man among boys.
From above
FYI: BRUNETTE DEAL NOT DONE YET, I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD. HE’S LOOKING OVER THE OFFER AND IS EXPECTED TO SIGN.
Maybe he’s trying to figure out how to get #15 in the deal?
Alright this Zidlicky guy better be worth losing a 2nd rounder and my Jonesy. *grumble* Oh well, I guess I’ll get to see him when we play Milwaukee. Here’s hoping he turns out to suck.
The day’s not over year as far as the Class of 2004. I wouldn’t doubt DR is talking to AJ Thelen right now. He’s a defensemen, he’s from MN, how much better could it get!
BNAG: You’re correct, Bruno isn’t in the fold…yet. The wife will deliver him to our doorstep. She likes it here.
Zidlicky: -5 is a quantum leap over Skoula’s -14. -5 I can accept. -14 is really tough to swallow.
BNAG, that’s why he had to go to Target to replenish the ‘pay as you go minutes’!
Wouldn’t $3.5MM/per have been better spent on Rozsival?
Holy #&*#ing $%@! We used a propect from the 2004 draft class as trade bait! DB Are you reading this?
Saladin - LOL…that was actually pretty funny.
So, correct me if I am wrong, if Demo leaves, Branco is gone and the wild have acquired Zidlicky the czechs will outnumber the slovaks. Is that a problem?
reid - he was a top college player in his 4th year, of course he looked good.
With the Aeros he just blended in. He had a flukey goal in the playoffs.
I love this move. I wouldnt give you a bag of pucks for Jones. Farewell, second rounder (that hurts)
http://faceoffcircle.net/2008/06/30/foc-ufa-live-blog-2008/
1:45 PM - Rolston may be going back to Minnesota, per the Fan 590. The possibility of Huselius going to the Pens is on the rise.
We can only dream…
Hope that was fun! That will about do it for the Wild in free agency.
WRT, don’t forget the fact Zid can put up some points and isn’t afraid to shoot the puck AT the net.
WRT, don’t forget we’ve still got that -14 though. Let’s all bow our heads and pray that somehow DR can trade Skoula to somebody (or just sneak him in in fine print) for somebody - anybody - or nothing.
Who???
SO Zidlicky seems to be a power play D guys, isn’t that what we got MAB for?
well, lets hope he isn’t more productive this year, once again, like say O’sullivan.
You’re right kb - the 2nd round pick is what people should be concerned with.
However, I’m going with the Wild on this one. CL should know plenty about Zidlicky coming from Nashville. Probably a good sign.
Not exactly a name that rolls off someones lips when mentioning defensemen
O’Sullivan was a 1st round talent that dropped because of issues with his father that scared off teams. He is not comparable in talent to Jones. Let it go man.
Wild tried to sign Jones twice after his sophomore and Junior years. He refused to try and win a championship with Miami. His leadership was evident in everything he did at Miami, on and off the ice. Talk to the cancer kid he grew his hair for and ask him what kind of leader Jones is. Just ask Blasi about what kind of leader Jones is. Ask the guys who played that last game with him when he was responsible for most of their scoring and barely gave up against the eventual champion BC. Wild lost a gem, not to mention another draft pick for, granted a good defenseman. But couldn’t they just sign one of the free agents instead??? There were plenty out there. O’Sullivan trade was terrible move, this is a terrible move.
I know Zidlicky is really good in EA sports games if that counts for anything…
Wild#9, that Rolston talk was pure speculation. No news there.
Bettman on NHL radio….
you would know all about that WS
Hossa for $9 million, Holik for $1.5 million? Call it a day?
That would work for me
Rozsival would have been nice but DR got a top 4 d-man for a very good cap hit on the front end of the market.
Oh, I know it’s a dream that won’t come true. Faceoff’s next rumor was that there have been 10 offers for Rolston.
Jones never impressed me a whole lot in college, top to bottom the CCHA is pretty weak.
“Maybe he’s trying to figure out how to get #15 in the deal?”
Gosh I hope so. I don’t want to have to buy another jersey…
what do I need to let go of?
Sources tell TSN as many as four teams have table offers for the 37 year old, including one undisclosed team who has offered a whopping 10 million per year on a multi-year contract.
Wow - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242175 - based on rumors, is FLA offering the $10 spot Russo?
This is a wash at best (Rolston=not signing for Brunette). Brunette, I don’t mind. Although, he’s not the “missing piece”.
Claire - all that is great but it doesn’t really prove he will end up a Kris Draper type player, sorry.
I watched Jones alot last year (Im in Cincy, bout 30 minutes away from Oxford).. had Jeff Taffe’s work ethic, half his skills
DP: That is a problem. But DR is going to bring in Condi Rice, and make it worse!
so by saying that the ccha is weak, what are you referencing that on? hopefully not this last season.
Eklund is now reporting that Huselius is an “e4″ to the Pens
What the heck is an “e4?” (No, I’m not taking Eklund’s word for anything, I’m just wondering.)
had Jeff Taffe’s work ethic, half his skills
Wait, Taffe has skills?
(Okay, okay, that’s not entirely fair. I’m too harsh on him. Wouldn’t mind seeing him get an opportunity in fact. He was buried on the third and fourth line here.)
This is crazy..
1:49 PM - Some more from ESPN’s Andy Strickland:
-Rolston has received a whopping TEN offers allready…
I realize the strategy of this summer. To keep PMB happy, bring in two defensemen who can move the puck (like PMB), and are about the same size (under-).
New line when PMB plays D on PP. The Munchkin Line!
Just to let you all know, nothing here is made up like our buddy Eklund likes to do
Haha.
maybe that is signaling a PMB trade? eh!
you would know all about that WS
Yes, I do… are you trying to imply something here?
The Penguins re-signed defenseman Mark Eaton… the mind is boggled.
Got to mean Orpik’s gone.
Im not talking Taffe in the NHL. I dont think he’s a viable NHLer. Im talkin in college, ike Jones was. Taffe was phenomenal as a gopher. Jones was allright, but looked like he couldnt care less
TSN is reporting Brunette as a done deal
tsn.ca is reporting the Bruno signing now.
i said the conference top to bottom is weak, outside of the top four you have ferris st, n mich, bowling green, alaska, etc. a lot of easy points against bad college teams
from a production standpoint, I view Bruno as more a replacement for Demo, even if the 2 are completely different types of players.
Goody: How can any Wild fan forget about the -14 albatross on our blueline? Skoula already has the “Express route to the Net” sign on him!
DR had until yesterday to cut him thru waivers. He didn’t do it.
Face it…we’re stuck with Skoula until his contract runs out.
God help the Wild.
well, the wcha is going to be just as bad soon enough. with everyone being one and done now. its the NBA on ice. But then again, Wheeler’s tom foolery may scare some of the people off. who knows how it plays out.
Green*…if DR would have made the right offer, Vrbata would be here.
Are you sayin 3 mil per is too much?
OP #1 good.
Zidlicky? Give up the ‘future’? Wow. All that I need to see now is Hossa!
KiPA, yeah he was pretty much a goner when he turned down their latest offer.
kolzig will be next in TB.
Parrish is a much bigger stiff than Skoula, if we are ranking stiffs!
WRT - stop this Skouba bashing. Don’t you remember we re-progamed him to be minute muncher martin by the end of last season.
sorry, i was off topic. there are some soft teams in the other conferences as well. time will tell what the wild gave up.
The thing about Skoula is (and he did play better last year) with the signing of MAB and Zidlicky the D are becoming pretty undersized, so it’s hard to cast off your 6′3″ 220Lb guy even if he does trip over the blue line on occasion.
Orpik was different from Hossa and Malone. The Pens basically low-balled the latter two to the point that pushed them to test the market. Orpik was different, based on reports. The sides were still talking (Hossa and Malone were not) and his agent said he wasn’t set on free agency.
I think Zidlicky is a nice addition. He’s not going to shut anyone down, but he can move the puck. Has nobody picked up on the fact that the Wild has added another Czech defenseman?
It’s possible that we’ll regret it in a couple of years, depending on what happens with Jones and that 2nd, but this should help for this season at least.
Jones finished 7th in scoring in college hockey, 1st in game-winning goals last year. He never missed a game in his entire 4 years at Miami, and was the captain of the club for three years. You may not think he’s spectacular and I never said he was going to be some Wayne Gretzky kind of player, but he’s going to be an impact hockey player and he could have been good on the Wild. He’s a leader, a hard worker and a finisher. How many of the young guys on the Wild are that? Everyone here complains about missing guys like Bruno and Walz, that is the kind of player Jones is.
TSN is reporting that Brunette has officially signed with the Wild.
FAN 590 outta Toronto reporting Rolston has recieved 10 offers….
Green*…if DR would have made the right offer, Vrbata would be here.
Are you sayin 3 mil per is too much?
nope. just proving the prediction that anyone that signs with another team is because DR lowballed him.
1 p.m. If you have NHL Network, Game 1 of Wild-Avalanche 2008 series is being replayed. I predict Joe Sakic wins it in OT.
Showcase goal for Fedorik’s agent - do I remember correctly that it was his only career PP goal?
Trading away anything past a 2nd round pick doesn’t scare me with our scouting staff. Even if Nashville pulls out a good player with the pick it doesn’t mean we would have used it on the same player…
College success means close to nothing in projecting nhl ability. Look back to Taffe for an example.
BDS; No, I won’t stop Skouba-bashing. He deserve every shot he gets. It took nearly two full seasons for the ‘brain trust’ to sit his heinie down and show Skouba how to run the press box popcorn machine. (BTW, did I tell you he’s now fully qualified on it?)
Saladin: Parrish may be a ’stiff’ from a money-for-production view, but Parrish never cost his team a division title, like Skouba did in 2006-07. Good ol’ Marty blew enough games for us to lose the division by one point to the ‘Nucks that season.
Pylons much minutes all the time along our nation’s roads and highways. Just ask Filip Kuba along the Lee Roy Selmon expressway sometime.
Looks like I picked a bad time to go to lunch. Good job DR! Bruno and Zidlicky, not too shabby IMO.
A buddy of mine said “it’s a real bummer we won’t get Campbell”, I told him “Who needs Campbell when we got Skoula”! thank you, thank you very much
Vrbata is not the missing piece. I dont even think he would help.
Yeah, Claire, that’s the impression I had of him as well. Though I wasn’t utterly convinced he’d make the big club either. Could have easily been an Irmen.
I’ll say this… it’s disappointing but as far as trade bait in Houston, I’d rather lose him than Clutterbuck by a long shot.
Is it too early for beer? *sigh* Ms. C’s fuego has been doused.
Claire- are you related to him or something? Give the kid a few years in the NHL before you compare him to Walz and Bruno. I wish him luck in Nashville. It is obvious that he wouldn’t have been a impact player next season and I’m actually more upset about the loss of the 2nd pick.
I’ve watched Game 1 a few times since it happened… turns out the Avs always win it. Strange…
Ah, but the Roy slayer is back! Gotta love it. Welcome back Bruno.
As reported on Theforthperiod.com website, the Brunette signing is done deal!! Welcome back Bruno!!
I am not sure Jones has the foot speed to be successfull in the NHL. I wish him the best though. I love the move, potential doesnt win you games. He could wind up being great in a couple of years but Z will contribute this year.
Does this mean that PMB is staying for sure now that DR has traded for a defensemen? How often do you think JL will pull his hair out with MAB and Z-man with their rushes?
BDS, Yes he did turn into serviceable marty at the end of the season. It’s just so much fun though…
Saladin, I don’t think many will argue with you that last season Parrish was dead weight. The difference is that Parrish is responsible for scoring goals, Marty is responsible for defending against them. Parrish makes a mistake and the other team gets control of the puck. Marty makes a mistake and the other team gets a goal. For that reason alone Parrish isn’t going to get as much flak.
Looks like many more years of mediocrity on the horizon in Pittsburg.
Someone posted that on TSN’s article about signing Malkin to an extension.
Russo’s been quiet for awhile. Working the phones, perhaps? I’m gettin’ a little bored with no new news in the last 20 mins. Maybe there’s something to the Rolston back to Wild rumor?
I just hope Bruno’s age isn’t starting to catch up with him. He was a tortoise to begin with.
phil: That Skouba for Campbell comment was just sick, man. Just sick…
Green*…
Thanks for parphrasing what I posted to meet your version of reality.
Sheesh.
For the record, I’ve got a bit of skepticism around most NCAA players. Not very many have amounted to much in the NHL. That’s about as far as my opinion of Jones goes.
wow toivo. there are tons of them that have turned into great players in the NHL. wow. might as well hate on juniors then. sheeeesh
For the record, I’ve got a bit of skepticism around most NCAA players. Not very many have amounted to much in the NHL. That’s about as far as my opinion of Jones goes.
Especially the 4 year players these days.
Toivo: your opinion matches those of JL and some of the Wild scouting staff.
Is that mike, as in “mike” at 1:20pm?
Can’t be, can it?
And yeah, that’s pretty funny KiPA. Get Crosby and Malkin locked up. A fast path to oblivion there for sure.
So after the Bruno and Zidy pick ups are the Wild mainly looking for a center and another wing?
Has nobody picked up on the fact that the Wild has added another Czech defenseman?
Toivo, see my 12:43 post.
KiPA, that seems like a pretty silly comment. I had no idea Malkin was mediocre.
Ok… let’s walk thru this…
DR wanted the following before today started:
Top-4 Defenseman: Check (sort of with Zidlicky)
Two Impact Forwards: Bruno - check
That leaves DR’s wish list:
1 Impact Forward
Possibly another player - a Center
$11 million to get it done. Should be easy math… HOSSA!
yep, the wild love the QMJL not so much love for the rest of north america. then its across the pond.
Wow… Fan590 said Vancouver offered Sundin $20 million over two years….
It’s time to pull out the “Big Checks” you see at golf tourneys.
Not to start a debate about this but it was just the other day I learned that Joe Pavelski was a 7th round pick. That said, I will not miss Ryan Jones.
Would the Wild have any interest in Naslund? I know he is like 34, but he can still play. Would he be asking for more then we are willing to pay?
Toronto radio reporting Vancouver has offered Sundin $10 mil a year for 2 years for $20 mil total.
Holy S%&t….
Austin, toivo: yeah, pretty stupid. Another comment said he disappeared in the playoffs, an obvious sign that person saw just the finals (malkin 10 goals, 22 points in the playoffs).
Christ. Sportsnet says the Pens offered Jagr a deal.
And vancouver’s throwing 2/20 at Sundin supposedly.
Say what you want, no one else was all that disappointed to see O’Sullivan go either and I was pretty pissed about that. I don’t see the need in giving up a second round pick for another defenseman when there were that many free agents available. Guess we have to hope Tampa signs Rolston so we get that conditional pick.
Thrilled to see Bruno back so that is one prediction down, one to go. We’ll see whether they make the move for Holik or go for someone like Brown instead.
Would not be surprised to see Ryder as the Rolston replacement though. Could be why they made the trade rather than spending cash.
Id prefer Holik or Federov at center, mainly becuase I speculate the price will be right and leave room to bring on another impact player, preferrably Commodore, to me
i say do what you can to get Hossa. i think with all the complaints about a weak free agent pool that this may be the new NHL free agency. most teams will lock up their top talent (Gabby hopefully, Malkin, Crosby, Etc) and there will be few opportunities to get a player like this without a trade.
“Vancouver offered Sundin $20 million over two years”
wow.
Claire…we get a conditional pick any way it works out. It just is a 4th round now instead of a third.
congratulations to blake wheeler! w000
Go4, that’s what I meant, higher conditional
From faceoffcircle blog:
My opinion on Zidlicky to the Wild and what he could do for them (asked by Rick):
Zidlicky is a good offensive defenceman that could anchor a powerplay. Look at his numbers from 2-3 years ago and you’ll see what kind of production he could put up. However, I have my doubts whether his numbers will return to that level on a defense-oriented team like the Wild.
He’ll help out, especially on the PP, but I don’t expect him to have any mind-numbing season. Regardless, a good move by Doug Risebrough
“Christ. Sportsnet says the Pens offered Jagr a deal.”