Wilderness Walk for 2-4-2012: Game Day Edition

by BReynolds on Feb 4, 2012 10:03 AM CST in Wilderness Walks

It's Saturday. It's game day. In Dallas. The Wild have not won in Dallas in almost nine years. I'm sure it's too small of a sample size to claim there is some intimidation factor there for the Wild without getting a lecture, but let's just say... there really is no reason fro Russo to be there. Most likely he could just use a gamer from one of the other games he covered there, and just change the coach's name.

Yeah, I have some doubts.

The good news? My taxes are done, and thanks to paying out a ton in college tuition, we get some money back. Which, more than likely will go to such exciting endeavors as... paying off a credit card. Yes, kids, I'm living the dream.

Enjoy the game tonight. Part of my dream is working on Saturday nights. Fun.

First Things First

GO VOTE FOR DTBL - No really. Do it. Now.

Wild News

Wild acquires Christensen from New York Rangers for Casey Wellman | StarTribune.com - Rants on Christensen

The Third Intermission: Casey Wellman Traded To Whale - Reaction from Houston.

Wellman, Wild never really clicked | StarTribune.com - Indeed. All the best, Casey.

Wild makes move in push to help its lagging offense | StarTribune.com - Without being a jerk here, how does the third line boost the offense?

Wild take out insurance policy by acquiring Erik Christensen from Rangers - TwinCities.com - AFLAC!

Wild hope Christensen will bring scoring - Same question.

Thoughts on the Erik Christensen Trade | Jacques Lemaire's Trap

Zach Parise To The Minnesota Wild: Too Easy? - SBNation.com - Great post from Bruce over at the NHL hub.

Enemy News

Dallas Stars News - Sports News for Dallas, Texas - SportsDayDFW - Newspaper home for the Stars.

Defending Big D - As always, your SBN home for all things Dallas.

Tending the Fields

Penticton ties BCHL record with 29th win in a row | StarTribune.com - Why is this a big deal? This is where Mario Lucia plays. Who is that? You're behind on your reading.

Off the Trail

Who's available if Hawks decide to get a goalie? - I was dismissive in the comments section yesterday when this was brought up. I just don't see the Hawks after a goalie.

NHL Saturday: Reinstituting red line good talking point | Hockey | Sports | Toronto Sun - Was enjoying this read unti... Wild GM Cliff Fletcher made an appearance.

Minnesota Wild complete coverage | StarTribune.com - Hopefully it is still there, but there is a cool video on the Strib's main page for Wild coverage showing the conversion to the rodeo set up.

A change is coming : Wild Nation - Best of luck to Blake as he moves Wild Nation to a weekly column.

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Comments

Excited for tonight

Yeah, just a lil bit. Wanna see what the new kid on the block (EC) brings to this team. I’m kinda hoping for this trade to be ‘The Latendresse Trade, Part Deux’ version. Well, minus the current concussion issues, of course. I’m not expecting the kid to put up 10-15 goals the rest of the season, but it’ll be great if he could spark the offense.

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 4, 2012 10:41 AM CST reply actions

Please give me

the good news that Zids is not playing tonight. I would really like to win this game. and Zids = a loss.

by wild32384 on Feb 4, 2012 11:47 AM CST reply actions

Sad but true

I hope Lundin is Stoner’s injury replacement

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 11:48 AM CST up reply actions

With Stoner out, one of the two scratches (Lundin, Zidlicky) will need to play. I say, put Lundin in.

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 4, 2012 11:48 AM CST up reply actions

From Russo ...

Via Twitter:

Zanon and Zidlicky reunited in skate it appears. No Clayton Stoner on the ice;one’s got to think Marek Zidlicky has the dog collar unfastened and Mike Lundin remains chained.

You might not get your wish.

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 4, 2012 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

Well, we will see if they have lit a fire under Zids now

I doubt it since he already stated he is not going to play how Yeo wants him to, but you never know.

by cgp711 on Feb 4, 2012 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

The sad thing about that Toronto Sun slip-up

Is that Cliff Fletcher was the GM of the Maple Leafs for a few season and is CURRENTLY a senior advisor there. You’d think they’d know the difference between the two, right?

They’ve fixed the fuck-up though, but thanks to Bryan, we know.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 11:55 AM CST reply actions

*few seasons

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 11:55 AM CST up reply actions

Hey if chicago has something decent to offer

Lets completely piss off the areos fans and send Harding packing. There might be a small riot in houston though. Top goal scorer and starting goalie. Whoa boy.

Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 4, 2012 12:03 PM CST via mobile reply actions

They'll more than likely be getting Coyle and Phillips next year

I’m sure they’ll manage

"Believe in the system. For it shall bring light when there is dark, food when there is hunger, and shots when there are passes. This is the divine process." Yeo 4:18

by NorthernStar on Feb 4, 2012 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

I thought Philips wasn’t eligible to play in the AHL next year.

by unyieldingflan on Feb 4, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

He must be elgible, cause thats where Chuck sees him playing next season

2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion
President/CEO of the Tutu Many Slapshots fantasy hockey club

by Chris Winner on Feb 4, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

Phillips is eligible

He’ll be 20 before the December cutoff date, and sending him back to Saint John’s is totally pointless.
Plus, the slide risk rule won’t apply to his contract anymore next year (he signed when he was 19), so the Wild are going to want to get something for their money.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 4, 2012 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

Looks like Staubitz is back

Yuck

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 12:12 PM CST reply actions

WHAT??? Say it ain’t so!! Did they send Kassian back?

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 4, 2012 12:27 PM CST up reply actions

Not sure

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

No one will fight Kassian

Instead, they just defer until he’s off the ice, then they fight and injure a guy like Stoner. He’s not keeping the peace, he’s not all that useful policing the ice, and he’s really limited in just about every other phase of the game.
The real question becomes why keep him? If no one is willing to drop the gloves with him, then he has no role. At least people will fight Staubitz, keeping them away from guys like Stoner.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 4, 2012 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

They'll fight Staubitz sure

But all that does is give the other team the momentum when he inevitably loses. Sigh.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

Still, how is that worse than having Stoner, Powe, and McMillian fight instead of Kassian? Literally, if Kassian isn’t policing, then he has no role at all.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 4, 2012 12:43 PM CST up reply actions

Oh I know

Just saying Staubitz sucks.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed, but ...

I just heard him on the PondCast talking to the reporters, and the guy’s got a decent sense of humor. Just wish he didn’t suck so bad at dropping the gloves. Well, he can drop ‘em, he’s just not good at what happens after.

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 4, 2012 3:24 PM CST up reply actions

Well, lots of players are great off the ice and sucky on the ice.

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

have him take a major

Tell him to go out and grab someone. Let other teams know if you don’t fight him he’ll choose for you.

Don't know what I'm fighting for, but I know what I'm fighting against

by PUTTINxONxTHExFOIL on Feb 4, 2012 12:51 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

That makes no sense at all

Plus, Kassian tried that with McLeod. McLeod shrank away from the fight, and then came out in the 2nd and dropped with Stoner.
Kassian can’t make someone fight him, and drawing a bunch of unnecessary penalties isn’t going to make things better.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 4, 2012 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

This has been a huge topic the whole season especially on Puck Daddy

You need to find “enforcers” who can play a regulare shift and chip in 10-20 points each year. It’s hard to do, but most teams are finding theirs, we need to find ours.

by cgp711 on Feb 4, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

Why do you not like Kassian?

He has a better all around game than Staubitz, and heck, better all around game than most enforcers. Stoner, Like Mcloed did, could say no. Have guys like Stoner say, if you wont fight Kassian, I wont fight you. and really, talking about Macmillin and Powe getting into a “fight” with Kobasew? Kobasew wouldnt fight Staubitz, let alone Kassian. Kobasew fighting Kassian would be suicide. McLoed might be able to handle his own against Kass, Maybe….

by wild32384 on Feb 4, 2012 3:49 PM CST up reply actions

Neither can play a regular shift or contribute much to the team.

by cgp711 on Feb 4, 2012 4:44 PM CST up reply actions

Not a matter of like or dislike

It’s simply a matter of getting the job done. Kassian’s last fight was against the Oilers. He hasn’t been able to get anyone to do the dance with him, which is the primary way he influences the game.
As for a better all around game, I doubt that. I won’t use his NHL experience, as it’s an incredibly small sample size, but recording 21 points in 201 AHL games isn’t something to write home about. Staubitz hasn’t been any better this year, but he did have some contributions last year, especially at the end of the season when everyone else checked out. As sad as it is to say, Staubitz was one of the more impressive Wild players in the last 8-10 games last year.
Honestly, I don’t think either are all that useful, but when it comes down to it, at least the opposing enforcer is willing to drop with Staubitz and ignore someone else. With Kassian, he gets ignored and other players are targeted. Just the lesser of two evils, in my view.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 4, 2012 4:47 PM CST up reply actions

Staubitz and Zidlicky! Unstoppable!

by unyieldingflan on Feb 4, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

Erik Christensen

Somebody get that man some confidence! Just listened to his interviews on the Wild website. Man, he sounded like he had about zero confidence in himself. Hopefully getting some NHL playing time will be good for him and he can gain some consistency.

by J.A.Berty1330 on Feb 4, 2012 2:24 PM CST reply actions

Russo prediction

Russo predicts a Wild win tonight:

Wild wins tonight — mark my words. I will see a Wild win in Dallas for the first time since I’m the beat writer.

That is BOLD!

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 4, 2012 3:26 PM CST reply actions

Oh, the dangers of blogging while drunk…

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 4, 2012 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

Jeebus, has it really been that long?

I'm that ''ignorant dumbass'' who writes with the ''whiny idiot homer'' over at Hockey Wilderness.

Twitter: BubbleWild48

by JSLandry on Feb 4, 2012 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

I’m terribly biased, so I’ll just go ahead and agree with Russo. Me thinks the Church of Yeo holds strong tonight. Although Zidlicky’s in, so it could go either way!

Son-of-a-bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick!

by Mark It Zero! on Feb 4, 2012 3:35 PM CST up reply actions