Minnesota Wild Free Agency Open Thread
by nathaneide on Jul 1, 2010 8:09 AM CDT
238 comments
It's the (al)most wonderful time of the year! Next to the trade deadline and opening day, Free Agent Day is the greatest day on the hockey calendar. We've gone over UFAs and RFAs ad nauseum, but wanted to give you one place to track the goings-on and a refresher on the Wild at Free Agency.
Pending UFA's:
Owen Nolan
Derek Boogaard
Shane Hnidy
Andrew Ebbett
Robbie Earl
John Scott
Check out our previous post on Wild UFAs for more
Pending RFA's:
Josh Harding
Cap space/current 10-11 cap hit: $49,446,028 total hit for $10,928,972 left under the cap with 20 players under contract.
Key needs:
#2 center
Scoring winger
Puck-moving d-man
Potential targets:
Matthew Lombardi
Matt Cullen
Saku Koivu
Olli Jokinen (who, by the way, is saying all the right things in his interview with Russo)
Paul Martin
What do our rivals want?
Calgary Flames (from Matchsticks & Gasoline)
Vancouver Canucks (from Nucks Misconduct)
Colorado Avalanche (from Mile High Hockey)
Edmonton Oilers (from Copper & Blue)
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Jokinen
After that interview with Russo, which I agree he was saying the right things. If he comes in on a reasonable 1 year deal I won’t be too upset.
http://twitter.com/wildiowafan
Rumors about trading Burns to the Devils…. Wonder what would come back?
I think Lombardi, Jokinen, Cullen or Koviu can all center that second line efficiently and I would be happy if anyone of them signed.
If I am not mistaken didn’t that rumor come from hockey Buzz, they really don’t have any credibility. I would trust Russo before I would trust that page.
Correct. Not very reliable at all. But they are known to get one right every now and then…
It just seems like we have way to many offensive minded dmen and it would make sense to trade one, the return on Burns would be the best.
Almost every rumor the morons at HB post has some tie to something Russo reported. Russo has been talking about Burns being a target for months. HB then takes that information and applies it to as many different teams as they can without looking completely stupid (Fail, I know). Couple that with Russo saying he thinks something is up on the trade front in his blog last night, and HB has to put rumors up.
They are throwing darts, there is no science to it, and there is no basis in reality 99.999999% of the time.
Hockey Wilderness
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The Post in question was actually by Brad Ratgen, which isn’t any better than EK. I have actually seen one time where HB was right it was when Toews signed with the Blackhawks… I think this rumor was alike an e2…
Ratgen is… well… let’s just say when I criticized his boss he took the very mature step of blocking me on Twitter. It ruined my life. My kids hate me, my wife filed for divorce, my mom took my birthday away, the bank foreclosed on my house. It was indeed a dark day.
Hockey Wilderness
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Matt Cullen
Grab the center from Moorhead, Minnesota. He is quoted to have said, “I’d be willing to take a pay cut to sign with the Wild.” Seems like a perfect fit.
I, too, am willing to take a pay cut to sign with the Wild. You know… just sayin’.
Hockey Wilderness
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Can you take a paycut from nothing?
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Oh, snap. Speaking of which, I never got that 150% raise you promised me. Unless of course, I screwed up the math. Let’s work it out:
$0 × 150% = ? (Dammit.)
Speaking of math. Did everyone see this Russian guy turned down $1 million prize for solving a math problem? Turns out, the guy can postulate on shapes in six dimensions, but can’t count.
Hockey Wilderness
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From KARE 11:
http://www.kare11.com/news/whatsup/whatsup_article.aspx?storyid=856475&catid=333
Hockey Wilderness
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Welcome!
Hockey Wilderness
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Nathan:
still anti-Olli, even after Mr. Russo’s Q&A?
Honestly?
I don’t know. He can say whatever he wants to say to make himself look good, but the truth is that teams on which he has played go into the shit and people point to him.
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Not directed at me, but I’ll chime in anyway.
I have my doubts. I never like to see a guy with a locker room cancer label coming to town, but it could all be false, media pushed negativity. Who knows? He is a Finn, the Wild have some Finns… maybe he gets along better here.
Hockey Wilderness
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Great free agent tracker
So, who do you want?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ys-nhlfreeagenttracker2010
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I will be at work most of the day
so I won’t be able to find anything out until I get home. I am hoping the Wild does something good in FA.
Tampering
If someone signs in the first 3 minutes, how can it not be tampering?
TSN feed, since NHL Network decided to go with NHL Live
http://www.justin.tv/troubleme
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Wow
Ottawa signed Gonchar to a 3 year deal worth 5.5 mil per. Yikes… Gonchar is 36. They are going to regret that deal.
50 points last year, from the blue line. It’s risky at his age, but I don’t see his game dropping off anytime soon.
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Wow. Gonchar to Ottawa.
3 years, 5.5 per & NTC.
Hockey Wilderness
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Tanguay to Flames.
Decent signing… depending on $
Hockey Wilderness
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Ottawa is run by morons
Holy shit.
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I'm okay with landing Cullen or Jokinen at center
There really isn’t that much out there; nothing like last year (even then, the Wild weren’t in position to be a major player).
I’m more anxious to see what might happen with this “trade rumor” Russo keeps mentioning….
Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.
Tanguay
1 year 1.7 million with NMC to Calgary.
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Can’t be put on waivers, can’t be traded, can’t be cut…
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More of a guarantee he gets to play than a guarantee he doesn’t get traded.
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Good for Tanguay
now turn it around
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It is definitely bizarre.
Hockey Wilderness
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Guy on TSN just said Kovy loved being in ATL. He loved it so much he turned down $10 mil a year? That’s love right there.
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Anyone else want to see the Wild get Cheechoo?
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If the price were very cheap, sure. Sounds like a “project” to me…
Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.
Agreed. For the right price. He has shown nothing for two years. Could see it, though, as long as he comes cheap.
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Babchuk is returning to Carolina
$1.4 million for one year. Fantasy hockey players… take note.
Hockey Wilderness
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Best Part About Twitter
Getting 50 tweets on the same signing :)
From Russo's twitter
Matt Cullen still waiting for a call from his agent, but #mnwild are after him.
Make it happen, Fletch.
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Impressive, right? 20 mil for 5 years.
Was a Wild draft pick. Traded for Eric Westrum and Dustin Wood.
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They drafted some good guys. But mostly early in the regime. Not sure what happened, but damn, they lost it.
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Should make Martin available
But sounds like he’s LA bound
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by nathaneide on Jul 1, 2010 12:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Alex Auld to MTL
Welcome to the big time, kid. As soon as Price melts down, you can be a hero.
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Well it's time for me to go to work
Hopefully something good happens for the Wild today, but if not no big deal. I’ll be back later to check on what happened the rest of the day.
Have a good rest of the day everyone!
Nittimakki (or however the hell it is spelled) to SJ
Colby Armstrong to Toronto
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Sushi
Sounds like so sort of raw fish…Nittimaki…
by circulartheory on Jul 1, 2010 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Sean O’Donnell, former Wild, signs 1 year deal with Philly
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HA! Indeed.
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From Twitter:
@jprutherford:
Blues’ free-agent d-man Carlo Colaiacovo has heard from Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Atlanta, Florida, Minnesota and NY Islanders. #stlblues
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Colby Armstrong to Toronto bugs me
Only because I like his game and dislike Truculence
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Bob McKenzie:
Manny Malhotra to Vancouver, 3 yrs / 7.5M no trade AAV 2.5.
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He was a possible target, according to Russo
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Ridiculous money. I smell a buyout.
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Am I the only person who thinks he's nothing special?
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He's not special
But he still is a pretty good defensive forward. Nothing great but he’ll fit really well on the Canucks bottom 6
by circulartheory on Jul 1, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Hold on
This is 7.5 total, not 7.5/year. Nevermind. Not as offensive.
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
You thought it was 7.5 per? Oof. I’m amazed you are still breathing.
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I wasn't
Hence my “that’s fucking crazy” line
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Mark Eaton
The Minnesota Wild are in on Mark Eaton, source close to Eaton tells me – http://twitter.com/Insidepghsports/statuses/17510144640
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33 year old Shane Hnidy replacement.
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
Per Bob McKenzie
Morris now confirmed in PHX, four yers, $11M.
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RT @Russostrib: I’m hearing enforcer Derek Boogaard is minutes from signing somewhere.. long-term
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
That would definitely be TRUCULENCE
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
From Gabe from Behind the Net
Based on Armstrong signing, value of truculence has risen 47% since 2009 offseason
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Russostrib: Agent’s calling around telling teams Boogaard’s got four-year deal on table worth $1.65 million per. We’ll see if true or “agentspeak”
Jebus.
If this happens, holy fuck
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
Per Russo – Agent’s calling around telling teams Boogaard’s got four-year deal on table worth $1.65 million per. We’ll see if true or “agentspeak”
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From Bob McKenzie
Jody Shelley to PHI on a three year deal worth $1.1M per year.
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
IDEA!
Can the Wild sign a full-time concussion specialist instead of spending money on free agents?
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
I know you’re half-joking, but in all seriousness I think that idea has the potential to pay the greatest dividend… Sad commentary on not just the Wild, but the state of the NHL in recent years.
Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.
How bout a groin guy?
Sounds dirty but we need one…maybe get a masseuse
by circulartheory on Jul 1, 2010 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
2010 Offseason
I hope Minnesota can pick up one key free agent, either Martin, Koivu, or who knows Kovalchuk.
ready my blog at http://mnwildfreak.blogspot.com/
by MNTicketKingIntern on Jul 1, 2010 1:21 PM CDT reply actions
Ellis to Tampa
Nice restart of a franchise in TB
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They could be dangerous. Tons of talent.
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That they do have
I like their future. Just like I liked Phoenix after the 2009 trading deadline
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2 years, 1.5m per year
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RT @ESPN_Burnside: We can confirm Paul Martin is a Pittsburgh Penguin.
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
From Darren Dreger
Boogaard to the Rangers is done.
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
Ho-hum
Don’t really care that Boogaard is gone.
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
Huge numbers
But that salary is fucking ridiculous
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
Ridiculous...
both in amount and in term.
by Krotz the Wall on Jul 1, 2010 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions
The more I think about it...
The more I realize Boogy as a Ranger fits quite nicely. Good for him.
Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.
Rangers overpay for yet another FA. $1.65 mil for Boogaard? Really?
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PaulAmerica
From Bob McKenzie -Paul Martin’s deal in PIT confirmed: five years x $5 million.
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I hate Dater but...
this is funny:
adater: Rangers give Boogaard four year deal. Or, four years more than number of goals he’s scored last four years
Umm
Boogaard makes more than Dan Ellis next year?
Really?
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
Blown away
I can’t get over this salary. Someone needs to evaluate it going forward on a $/TOI metric.
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Ray Whitney to Phoenix. 2 years, 3 mil each
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The math on Boogey
He had 350 1/2 minutes of TOI last season. At his new rate, that is $4707 per minute.
Compare that to:
Zidlicky: $2122 / minute
Koivu: $1958 / minute
Alexander Ovechkin: $4991
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Should be interesting the first time he has to interview him, eh?
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Awesome.
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I’m not a ship jumper, but is anyone else getting the feeling its going to be the same old story this year w/ the Wild? I’m pumped about Lats, but we’re reported to be in the “middle” of a lot of things, but there’s probably a pretty good chance, most if not all, may not work.
Patience, young one. Hard to see the bright side is. Wait will you. See will you. Good in middle to be.
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+1
Count me as one of the few that dosnt really feel like the Wild desperately need to add a big $$$ center at this time. The new kid we drafted in the first round looks like the real deal and should be playing in the NHL in less than 3 years, Casey Wellman looks like he will be a legit 2nd or 3rd line center, and PMB has a good chance of being back to center in 2 years. With all the money we have tied up in defensemen and several AHLer’s looking ready to make the jump I would personally trade one of our defensemen for a top 6 winger and grab some bargain players cough Zanon cough.
Fletcher has already shown he knows how to pick gems from the bargain bin. Let him work his magic while we spend a year or two more to build a real cup contender.
by MinnesotaRage on Jul 1, 2010 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Patience is a virtue..
but.. The early bird gets the worm..
and the late bird gets the leftovers
and you cant win a Stanley Cup with leftovers!
by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Kurtis Foster signs with Edmonton for two years, $1.8 million per.
Hate to see him in the Copper and Blue, but damn. Good for Fozzie.
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...damnit
sorry – I went to the Sather School for Math Excellence.
I’m also not hot on him going to conference rival Edmonton, but landing a job on day 1 of FA is extremely good news for Kurtis and his family.
I was kind of hoping he might hang back and that the Wild might be able to pick him up after the frenzy™.
Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.
There’s a Jokinen to the Flames rumor going around apparently. HFBoards having a field day with that hahaha!
by Call of the Wild on Jul 1, 2010 3:09 PM CDT reply actions
From Russo:
#mnwild has a number of offers out and are now waiting for callbacks: Cullen, Lombardi, Koivu at least
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I’m not sensing a lot of confidence that any of those names will be donning the Iron Range Red next year. I have no basis in fact for this feeling, just a gut feeling.
Still not “worried” as far as FA goes; I’m kind of glad Fletch has stayed away from the frenzy™ nonsense. However, my prospectus for next year isn’t being aided any as today’s events transpire.
Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.
Not so much what the Wild haven’t done, but what others in the division are doing. The Vancouver moves, in particular…
Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.
they fired the starting gun at Noon , and we are still standing at the gate..
I cant wait to hear their.. “no moves is sometimes a good move” thing..
OHH BOY!!
“Ive always loved that one”
Weve already had a “stick your head in the sand” GM here before..
by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Which GM is worse
Sather or Sutter? Dear God, those are some awful moves.
I want to spin the wheel of justice!
Day 1 winner in the conference?
Vancouver.
Loser? Calgary. WTF are they thinking?
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Sabres agreed to terms with defenseman Jordan Leopold on 3-year deal.
Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.
I spit my coffee out when I read this
Emphasis mine
@Eklund: sorry to be crypitic.. one of those times when I know something is likely to happen b4 I can say due to my respect for sources. But maybe
What a tool bag.
I want to spin the wheel of justice!
are we getting a Center.. or what...
we need a Center!??
Cullen? Burish? Comrie? Stuart? Morrison?
by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 4:34 PM CDT reply actions
Honestly,
I’m only in the boat for signing a FA center if its either: 3 mil for 2 years, or 3.5ish for 1 year. Those are max, by the way.
There are no long term solutions in this batch of FA centers in my opinion and they’re all likely to overcharge for what the Wild will get.
Skau Koivu signing with Duck
Per Russo and TSN
Hockey Wilderness
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signings latest from NHL site..
http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=63235
updated NHL blog FA based below
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=533377
the link should give yall the lowdown on fa signings
July 1 G Dan Ellis Tampa Bay
July 1 C Saku Koivu Anaheim
July 1 LW Jeff Tambellini Vancouver
July 1 D Jordan Leopold Buffalo
July 1 RW Colby Armstrong Toronto
July 1 D Paul Martin Pittsburgh
July 1 G Chris Mason Atlanta
July 1 LW Jonathan Matsumoto Carolina
July 1 LW Mitch Fritz Tampa Bay
July 1 LW Derek Boogaard New York Rangers
July 1 D Kurtis Foster Edmonton
July 1 D Toni Lydman Anaheim
July 1 D Derek Morris Phoenix
July 1 C Vladimir Sobotka St. Louis
July 1 C Alex Steen St. Louis
July 1 LW Jody Shelley Philadelphia
July 1 C Joel Perrault Vancouver
July 1 LW Daniel Paille Boston
July 1 D Sean O’Donnell Philadelphia
July 1 C Manny Malhotra Vancouver
July 1 C Jesse Winchester Ottawa
July 1 G Antero Niittymaki San Jose
July 1 D Zbynek Michalek Pittsburgh
July 1 G Alex Auld Montreal
July 1 D Sergei Gonchar Ottawa
July 1 D Braydon Coburn Philadelphia
July 1 LW Guillaume Latendresse Minnesota
July 1 LW Alex Tanguay Calgary
July 1 G Martin Biron New York Rangers
July 1 C Erik Christensen New York Rangers
by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 5:17 PM CDT reply actions
I would suspect he would be a day 2+ signing. IMHO, no real hurry for the vet; he’ll strike a deal to a contender.
Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.
so he’s not coming back to Minny?
No real surprise, just hadn’t heard anything concerning him.
by ADN on Jul 1, 2010 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Good stuff. Very good stuff. As soon as I finished typing up my thoughts on day one, they go and change everything. Well done.
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Someone on the top line who can actually put the passes from Mikko in the net? ;-)
Hockey Wilderness
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too bad we didn’t get Versteeg. I think Toronto got him cheap. He’s not necessarily a 1st liner, but he’s cheap and, let’s be honest, he’s a LOT better than Mittens.
by ADN on Jul 1, 2010 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions
versteeg was a 20+ goal scorer last year. pretty good player.
by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't get me wrong,
I like Cullen, and he’s going to be a huge improvement over Brodziak when centering Havlat and Latendresse.
My problem is that the contract is a little pricey for 3 years.
Otherwise, glad to see the drama of the 2nd line center issue resolved.
Nah, he’s getting about what he’s worth. Lombardi wants more than 4 million. This is a good deal. Free agents always look pricey at the beginning.
Hockey Wilderness
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Thats how the market is. Alot of these guys are getting paid good money. 3.5 mil isnt bad for one of the better players available this year…
by circulartheory on Jul 1, 2010 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions
In relation to the other deals for UFA centers, it is pretty decent, and it doesn’t hurt our cap spaces that much.
Let’s get a scoring winger on the 1st line and we’ll have two solid top lines!
by ADN on Jul 1, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions
He’ll go back to wing. My bet is on the top line, or Havlat will move to the top line. Mittens needs to not be on that line.
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Break up Lats and Havlat?
I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.
I’m fine with replacing Mittens on the Koivu line though.
Yea, I agree with that, but putting Bouchard on the first line will effectively make the 1st line full of playmakers… and no finishers.
With Bouchard’s cap hit it’s unlikely that he’ll play on the checking lines, so where does that leave him?
I say LTIR (ha) or trade him.
by ADN on Jul 1, 2010 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions
So....
Who is buying me a Cullen jersey? I take a 2×. Authentic would be great. Thanks.
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It not up the the NHL site. but
but a local AM radio station told me Cullen has signed with the Wild..
Now,
can we keep Big John Scott?
I love Robbie Earl on the Wing..
he’s got jets on his skates..
I’m assuming he knows where he’s going..
saw him play at lot during his Badger days..
he was definitely one of the best guys on the ice
and invite a lot of guys in to try out before to 2011 season
to show them something and “make the team”
by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 6:33 PM CDT reply actions
yeah I saw him.
seen him since his freshman yr in college…..
saw him beat the heck out of guy..
mountain of a man to keep guys away from the net
by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Not really
We lost Earl, Boogie, Nolan, Ebbett and Belanger. And I’m sure some people don’t want Sheppard on the pro roster :P
by circulartheory on Jul 1, 2010 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Is Nystrom a center?
Nystrom seems like a Kobasew equivalent to me, but if it kicks Sheppard off than I’m fine with it.
by ADN on Jul 1, 2010 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions
And that makes up our forwards IF Sheppard becomes our 4th line center
Brunette – Koivu – Miettinen
Havlat – Cullen – Latendresse
Clutterbuck – Brodziak – Kobasew
Nystrom – Sheppard – Staubitz
If not, then I guess we’re going to get another bottom 6 forward from FA
by circulartheory on Jul 1, 2010 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Bouchard will be worked in slowly — will likely transition to center and bump Cullen to the 3rd line and Shep out of the lineup. Or he’ll center the 4th line if he’s not the player he used to be.
I don’t think this will happen. No way would we pick up Cullen at 3.5 mil a year to bump him down to 3rd line. That’d be such a waste.
by ADN on Jul 1, 2010 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions
True BUT
Its not like the old Wild where we have 2 top lines, 1 energy line and 1 checking line.
They are changing it to 3 scoring lines and 1 checking line. So moving from 2nd to 3rd won’t make much of a difference. The only thing that will determine Cullen’s ice time is his on ice performance
by circulartheory on Jul 1, 2010 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions
It’s going to happen eventually. If Granlund is the stud everybody makes him out to be, starting next year he might climb the roster pretty quickly. Good strong competition for our #2 center would be an amazing freaking problem for this team to finally have.
It’s not straight cash that determines placement. Havlat’s our top paid forward and he plays on the 2nd line. Koivu makes less than Cullen.
I do like the idea of 3 scoring lines, 1 checking line, but for now its still looking a big like the old regimes approach.
I guess this is the point where I need to leave it to Fletch, the professional, and have a little patience. I forget that we’re not really looking at a Stanley Run for the next couple of years.
But I absolutely agree that competition for the 2nd line center role would be fantastic.
As for the payment issue, I definitely agree. However, I’m talking in terms of value.
Thanks for the good answers to my problems though!
by ADN on Jul 1, 2010 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Bouchard will not be moving to center. Not this year anyway. Koivu, Cullen, Brodziak. No way they move him to the fourth line. $4 million dollar players are not 4th line centers when they can be top line wingers. I would say PMB coming back puts pressure on Miettinen to perform or sit. He could also take time from Kobasew, but that would be more of an energy role than PMB is used to.
PMB will be a wing. On which line? That will be worked out in training camp.
Hockey Wilderness
Assistant Editor:SBN Minnesota
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What the @#$*@ is wrong with Calgary?
Seriously? Bring back Jokinen @ $3M a year, but pass on Nystrom @ $1.4M?
they should sign that Clitsome guy.. i like his name.. :)
by old time hockey guy on Jul 1, 2010 7:47 PM CDT reply actions
so I just got home and I’m trying to catch up with everything. What’s the deal with Nystrom? Are we liking this or not?
We are.
Hockey Wilderness
Assistant Editor:SBN Minnesota
Rule #17: You may not impersonate representatives of Hockey Wilderness and handout NHL themed wrist bands.
I hate that I'm missing out on all the fun :(
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