Beyond the Wilderness: The Haves and the Havlat's

by nathaneide on Jul 2, 2009 4:04 PM CDT in News

Bitter split? Havlat leaves Chicago for Wild, promises 'real story' - Puck ... - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
Sniff, sniff ... anyone else smell smoke? That's the bridge to Chicago that Havlat might be igniting soon, according to his official Twitter feed. The following appeared after the Wild signing: "Excited to be in Minny where I was welcomed and appreciated by management. The real story about what happened in Chicago to come out." And later: "There's something to be said for loyalty and honor."
Gaborik vanishes, signs with Rangers
And just like that, the last remaining original Wild and team's career leader in virtually every offensive category is in fact ... history. Marian Gaborik's Wild career officially ended Wednesday night when the gamebreaker signed a five-year, $37.5 million
Wild signs Havlat for $30M
With Wild fans in a tizzy for much of Wednesday as the Sedin twins, Marian Hossa, Mike Cammalleri, and yes, Marian Gaborik left the free-agent board, the Wild finally calmed the masses by landing the biggest free agent in team history late Wednesday night
In zigzag day, Wild lose Marian Gaborik but add Martin Havlat - TwinCities.comWith Gaborik gone, scoring winger was the Wild's most conspicuous hole, and Havlat fills it. Zanon fills a need for a top-six blue liner. Now the Wild need a center, and Koivu would look very good on the second line while giving coach Todd Richards the kind of flexibility with his lines that Jacques Lemaire didn't have last season.
Tom Powers: Martin Havlat a good start for Wild; now if Saku Koivu signs... - TwinCities.com
A gifted winger, Havlat will be a fine addition to the Wild. He and Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher agreed to terms on a six-year, $30 million contract late Wednesday night. Havlat is fast, responsible on defense and, well, not a stone-face. All of those are good qualities.
Ranger News: Examining the Signings - Blueshirt Banter

Onto Gaborik. Now some people might thing that the 5 year 7.5 million dollar contract is too steep for the oft-injured sniper but I disagree. Gaborik, when healthy, is top 3 snipers in the league; behind Kovalchuk and Ovechkin. If you disagree with me name the players that feed Gaborik the puck ... Exactly, I thought so. Gaborik will help the power play become lethal, and he will help round out the lines because the Rangers finally have a legit 1st line winger.
July 1 Roundup: 46 players signed, $406-million spent - From The Rink
I love what Gaborik brings to the table as an offensive player — he's one of the five or six most dynamic players in the league, and that was playing in Minnesota — but his health is always going to be a concern and that's a huge ticket.
Gaborik issues himself a clean bill of health - 07/02/2009
Marian Gaborik has declared himself 100 percent healthy -- and hopes the injury-riddled part of his career is behind him as he starts anew with a lucrative contract and the pressure of the Big Apple weighing on his shoulders.

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Comments

I love what Gaborik brings to the table as an offensive player

Heh.. His powerful press box presence?

by SpaethCo on Jul 2, 2009 5:23 PM CDT reply actions

Not even

He wasn’t even around for that, spent the season in Denver Rehabbing

by W1ldfan on Jul 2, 2009 5:34 PM CDT reply actions

Hope Havlat leaves Chi quietly upset

I like players that leave their former team upset and believing they have something to prove, but it does rub me the wrong way when they feel the need to rip the former organization. Marty just pack up come here and let your play do the talking and hopefully rip em in the playoffs, otherwise you just look like a whiner and I don’t think that plays well anywhere.

by W1ldfan on Jul 2, 2009 5:39 PM CDT reply actions

Be sure to tune in

Russo will be on KSTP talking Wild, Marty Havlat, Saku Koivu & more at 6:05 p.m

by SpaethCo on Jul 2, 2009 5:41 PM CDT reply actions

Hopefully

with news of the third new wild.

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Jul 2, 2009 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Nope

Russo said both in his blog and on the radio that it could take a couple more days for Saku to weigh his options.

by SpaethCo on Jul 2, 2009 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions

a Surprisingly Quiet day 2 of Free Agency.

by Tony_O on Jul 2, 2009 7:11 PM CDT reply actions

Oh no!

Source: Koivu deal to Wild is going south.

by Tony_O on Jul 2, 2009 7:35 PM CDT reply actions

From Russo..Not Eklund.

by Tony_O on Jul 2, 2009 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions

What could be the problem

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds"

Samuel Adams

by RileysCannibalJct on Jul 2, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Problem

There is 10 to 15 teams that want him. He feels that if he comes here he will be stepping on his brothers toes.(Stupid argument seeing as how Miko and there parents want them to play for the same team.) Thirdly, its all about the money and the years.

by jmedin on Jul 2, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions

I am not to familiar with Saku but I hope he signs

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds"

Samuel Adams

by RileysCannibalJct on Jul 2, 2009 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Saku, get your ass to Minny

by mckay10 on Jul 2, 2009 8:59 PM CDT reply actions

Saku

“Saku Koivu Torn Between Anaheim and Minnesota (e4)”
via http://twitter.com/eklund

by taralynn09 on Jul 2, 2009 10:45 PM CDT reply actions

Saku deal looks like he wants 4 years

Risky with a guy who is 34 already. Any deal made is guaranteed money against the cap once he turns 35.

Could be the hold up. If I am Fletch, I take the risk. He has 4 years left in him easily. One of the best. Sign him.

http://www.hockeywilderness.com

by BReynolds on Jul 2, 2009 10:58 PM CDT reply actions

You've got to spend money to make money

The Wild can’t make bargain deals and get guys on the cheap all the time. There is a time and place to overpay for someone and this looks like the time and the place. Payment is in the eye of the beholder and this might make sense to pay a little extra to get the Wild a little extra.

by sportseffect on Jul 2, 2009 11:20 PM CDT reply actions

playing with the bro

I would think Saku would jump at the chance to play with his brother. That situation doesn’t happen every day. And the Ducks. Not a big fan. That team thinks they are all that and then some. Minnesota is the house of thrift, so we will see what happens.

by mckay10 on Jul 3, 2009 7:44 AM CDT reply actions