Wilderness Walk for 12-2-2010

by BReynolds on Dec 2, 2010 9:05 AM CST in Wilderness Walks

You all have your Walking shoes ready? It's a good one today. Pierre-Marc Bouchard's return has columnists from both papers there last night, in addition to back-up beat writer night at the X. You'll see in a moment that one paper's back-up has as much trouble covering the team as the rest of the paper, but I digress. It's not like people pay to read it, right?

Oh. Wait.

We'll jump right into it, but don't forget to fly over to Facebook and answer the Question of the Day. Good fun being had by all. Don't be the only one not involved or we'll force you read a bad newspaper. Trust me. We know where to get one.

Wild News

Coyotes too much as Wild's losing streak hits three | StarTribune.com - The Wild say they are getting better. Anyone else just a bit mystified by that?

Wild remains upbeat | StarTribune.com - Russo's Rants with Kent Youngblood. Upbeat and learning. Game 25 tomorrow. Interesting.

Struggling Backstrom gets in extra practice | StarTribune.com - Not that Jose Theodore has looked all that much better. Eventually they'll figure out it is the team, not the goalie. Eventually. Patience.

Patrick Reusse: Returning Bouchard works off rust and gives Wild what it needs | StarTribune.com - A good take on the return of Butch from a usually negative writer. Savor it folks. If Butch isn't back to form in two games, there will be another column, and it won't be pretty.

It's checkmate for Minnesota Wild until team improves its forecheck - TwinCities.com - Agreed that the forecheck for the Wild is lacking. However, when you write something like this: "They outshot the Flames by one, and outshot Phoenix by one on Wednesday, the first time they have outshot consecutive opponents all season. Yet it was still by one." You may want to check the box score. 36-35 SOG. In favor of... What a wonderful way to spend your money. Run right out and buy a subscription to this.

Tom Powers: Wild need Bouchard at his best - TwinCities.com - Ah, our good buddy Tom. Sorry Tom. I'm not sure what for, but just... Sorry Tom.

Bouchard's return gives Richards hope - TwinCities.com - Hope. We'll learn more about that later. Keep this post in mind.

#14 Minnesota Wild - Forbes.com - The Wild are the #14 most valuable team in the NHL. Having lost $50+ million on the deal, I'm not so sure Mr. Leipold is happy about that.

In Pictures: Hockey's Most Valuable Teams - #14 Minnesota Wild - Forbes.com - Your quick look at the list. Check out #27, the Nashville Coyotes.

NHL Power Rankings: Do They Reflect the Wild Slide? - SB Nation Minnesota - I have been slated with the task of analysing the NHL power rankings from around the web every week. If you hate power rankings as much as I do, you may enjoy my look at them.

Where's Waldo? Finding The Wild In The Standings - SB Nation Minnesota - I also look at the standings every week. Forgot to include it until now, but not much has changed. Hopefully you can still enjoy it.

KiPA's Korner

Hitting The Post: Caps best Halak this time; Canucks rout Flames - I find no joy in the Canucks beating the Flames.

Off the Trail

The One Thing All Fans Want - SB Nation Minnesota - What is that all fans want? What did Butch give to Richards according to the link above? Ah yes... hope.

Your Wildly Stupid Speculation Moment of the Day

Charley Walters: Look for 14 Twins to be tendered contracts - TwinCities.com - Check out the line under the DON'T PRINT THAT heading. "Nineteen 19 NHL scouts, a record for the Xcel Energy Center, were at Wednesday night's Wild-Phoenix Coyotes game, and they weren't in town for the weather. A major trade could be forthcoming for the Wild."

This is dangerous "journalism" right here. There are always a ton of scouts at the X. Walters would know that if he showed up for more than three games a year. Could there be something in the works? Sure there could. It could also just be a major coincidence, or teams scouting the Coyotes, or teams watching the return of Bouchard. The point is, it could have been anything. Instead, another solid piece of knowledge is dropped by a Pioneer Press writer.

What constitutes a "major trade?" Are minor trades not possible with scouts present? Who is the buyer here? Players involved? Does Walters understand "major trades" don't happen very often in a salary capped league, especially early in the year?

It's dangerous to just throw something like that out into the world, Charley. Next time, save your wisdom, will ya?

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Comments

"It's dangerous to just throw something like that out into the world, Charley."

And yet Eklund makes money off it…

First Round Bust: A Cast of Thousands celebrating a rather dodgy track record of Minnesota Wild Drafting.

by GopherState on Dec 2, 2010 9:15 AM CST reply actions

Spoiler: It's Hockeybuzz

And what makes it worse (but not surprising, is that I found Charley’s Source.

First Round Bust: A Cast of Thousands celebrating a rather dodgy track record of Minnesota Wild Drafting.

by GopherState on Dec 2, 2010 9:38 AM CST up reply actions

Well, Charlie was there last night, too, so Ratgen may not be his source, but they both certainly think alike. When a newspaper reporter starts thinking like Ratgen, we are in trouble.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Assistant Editor:SBN Minnesota Owner: Komissaari erämaa

Rule #17: You may not impersonate representatives of Hockey Wilderness and handout NHL themed wrist bands.

by BReynolds on Dec 2, 2010 9:48 AM CST up reply actions

That was my first visit to hockeybuzz

I feel like I may never be clean again.

Manager of Loquita Bananas in the Hockey Wilderness League

by brigid22 on Dec 2, 2010 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

Well I’m sorry to have led you down that path.

First Round Bust: A Cast of Thousands celebrating a rather dodgy track record of Minnesota Wild Drafting.

by GopherState on Dec 2, 2010 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

you didn’t make me click the link.

Manager of Loquita Bananas in the Hockey Wilderness League

by brigid22 on Dec 2, 2010 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

Eklund makes a boat load of money off of doing this, and I despise his existence, and those who give him that money. However, a writer for a major newspaper should not be partaking in the dark arts, lest he should want to be grouped in with the dredges of human filth as well.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Assistant Editor:SBN Minnesota Owner: Komissaari erämaa

Rule #17: You may not impersonate representatives of Hockey Wilderness and handout NHL themed wrist bands.

by BReynolds on Dec 2, 2010 10:36 AM CST up reply actions

Already got people speculating who the big trade is, Brunette? Miettenen? even Havlat’s name is mentioned!-I mean who’d want Bruno!!?

by Givinchy on Dec 2, 2010 9:19 AM CST reply actions

At the deadline? Maybe. Right now… not so much. Bruno is slow, and honestly a bit of a defensive liability due to that speed. His age is catching up with him. However, someone will want him at the deadline for the playoff push. He is still a force behind the net, in front of the net, and is impossible to knock off the puck. Fits perfect on a playoff team.

Mittens will also garner interest as a depth forward. He is playing too high up on the Wild roster, but would fit well on another team’s third line, where a coach is not afraid to make him play the role he is good at.

As for Havlat… he isn’t going anywhere. No way, no how. It’s ridiculous to even think he is.

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Assistant Editor:SBN Minnesota Owner: Komissaari erämaa

Rule #17: You may not impersonate representatives of Hockey Wilderness and handout NHL themed wrist bands.

by BReynolds on Dec 2, 2010 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

ESPN Insider has taken Russo's tweet about Granlund

likely being in North America next year, and turned it into this.

Original tweet: @Russostrib: I think he’ll be in North America, I’ll say that RT @BT26: @Russostrib do you think Granlund will make the big club next year?

The Minnesota Wild drafted Finnish forward Mikael Granlund ninth overall this summer, and he was considered one of the most NHL-ready prospects in the draft. And as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Michael Russo tweets, Granlund should be in North America next year — and we think that likely means he’ll be with the NHL club.

ESPN Insider Gare Joyce previously wrote, “He was already playing in the Finnish pro league. The former Wild management brought in far less ready kids to the NHL roster. GM Chuck Fletcher has tried to make a philosophical break from Minnesota’s old approach, but in this isn’t a case where Granlund can play in the NHL to max out talent; he needs to play for the Wild.”

The Wild sought forwards on the trade market last summer, to the point of trying to deal one of their defensemen to get one. That hasn’t changed so, if Granlund can come in and develop into a top-six forward soon, it would be just what the doctor ordered. ESPN Rumor page

Manager of Loquita Bananas in the Hockey Wilderness League

by brigid22 on Dec 2, 2010 10:43 AM CST reply actions