Backstrom Named All Star Reserve

by BReynolds on Jan 7, 2009 11:13 AM CST Comment 4 comments

Niklas Backstrom will be the lone representative for the Wild at the All Star game in Montreal. Backs is more than deserving having 19 wins, a save % of .929, and a GAA of just 2.14.

Koivu was snubbed, and the debate will now ensue about who else should have been in, and who is in who should be out.

Congrats to Backs. Doug... you paying attention? One of the best, despite what Mirtle may say, sign him. NOW!

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I would...

I’d argue that Koivu was snubbed, except that fans in Chicago and Anaheim ruined that for Koivu. Too many guys worthy of spots get boned over because some fans and their computers are retarded.

Gross Misconduct with Hockey Joe

by HockeyJoe on Jan 7, 2009 4:32 PM CST reply actions

The argument isn’t whether or not Backstrom’s good. It’s that somewhere near $6-million is likely the going rate and what this team really needs is some offence with those dollars.

by James Mirtle on Jan 8, 2009 3:25 AM CST reply actions

The more I think about it, the more I agree with Mirtle. We’ve had three all-star caliber, Jennings award winning starting goalies since the team started. We’ve seen what a crappy judge of talent the Wild scouts are, so it’s not likely that they did a wonderful job plucking these guys. It’s more likely a result of the system combined with above-average goaltending than it is exceptional talent.

by nathaneide on Jan 8, 2009 7:48 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed... to a point

I would agree the Wild need offense. However, Risebrough has not shown even a glimmer of hope in singing anyone with the ability to score. I’m sure everyone in this conversation could name five or six free agents that Risebrough has blown it with.

I don’t have the inside scoop, but I am willing to bet that if DR would offer a deal at say 4.5 million for three years, Backs would take it. The comments the guys has made make it seem like he truly wants to be here. Yeah, that is a utopian view of the industry, but I really think he stays for 4.5.

Also, with Gaborik gone, it clears up 6 million per year for some offense.

(I want you to know that I had to go back and change “offence” to “offense” in my comment above… turns out, I’m not Canadian.)

The only way to avoid failure, is to learn from it.

by BReynolds on Jan 14, 2009 12:36 PM CST up reply actions