If Moneybags is the victim of a character assassination, doesn't that imply that he had character to begin with?

I don't know that there is a lot more that can be said about this, but it just keeps sticking to the headline. Trade rumors that Moneybags claims not to know anything about, and Risebrough gets irritated about hearing. The team being pulled off the practice ice so the PR guys could no doubt tell them what they are supposed to say. Gee guys, did you really think the media wasn't going to cover the story? I think in July when Russo first mentioned that the two sides were going to start talking, everyone knew it would be a circus if it wasn't done by the time the season started, and yet here we are.

Back to today's business. Gaborik has never shown the kind of loyalty Salcer is claiming. He held out in 2004, he has disappeared in the playoffs, when he is "hurt" he doesn't play and doesn't practice. He has never made comments about how much he loves it in Minnesota (at least none that are jumping to mind). I remember a few times after big games him saying that the fans in Minnesota are great, but all sports players say that about their fans.

Character assassinations generally involve smear tactics against someone whom had (or has) the respect of a large number of people in order to make them seem less appealing. Mr. Salcer, I believe that ship sailed a long time ago. Say around October 2004 (the holdout), and the respect was certainly almost gone by April 20th, 2008 (latest playoff disappearance), slipped almost all the way with the "If they would just give me what I want" crack, and now has gone negative after finding out that your client injured his $6.33 million groin while playing hackey sack, not hockey.

You have a client that cannot win the PR contest. your best bet is to stay quiet, make him stay quiet, let the trade happen, and make your money somewhere else. 
Opening your mouth only hurts you at this point.

Salcer also said today, "The important part of this process is recognizing the various dynamics of sensitive negotiations for both the player and team that transpire. Making some effort to maintain integrity for the principles involved should be considered."

If anyone can tell me what that means in English, you get two bonus points.

I will simply counter with this. If the party of the third part does not receive legal recourse for the antidisestablishmentarianism being portryed by the party of the second part and the party of the first part, then the party of the first part, here by referred to as "The Team," shall not get the epistemological benefit of being obsequious. 

And no, I have no idea what this has to do with there being no official state church, but the word just fit.

I have to work again tonight, so I will miss yet another game. I will be TiVOing (is that a word yet?) it, so don't tell me what happens, OK?

Go Wild!

-Buddha

PS- For those of you who told me that cameras cannot capture images of pure evil, I give you this:

This of course, is Ron Salcer, Gaborik's agent.

From John Shipley

Wild practice at Parade Ice Garden is generally a serene affair. It’s usually the two beat writers and maybe Kevin Fallness, with some hockey moms and their kids in the stands. The kids generally get an autograph or, if their lucky, a stick, and the players get relative peace and quiet.

    Tuesday’s practice, however, was exactly the kind of gong show the Wild were hoping to avoid by getting the Gaborik deal done.

    The television stations that generally show up on opening night and for the playoffs -- no longer able to ignore the issue -- descended en masse. The circus put the Wild’s PR staff into a sort of lockdown. The team was taken off the ice all at once, which I’ve never seen, and taken into the locker room for what I presume was a short meeting.

    Gaborik was dragged out for the cameras, and Risebrough did a couple of stand-ups, as well, neither saying much of anything. It was clear, however, that no one was happy with the circus.

From the R.S.S. Feed

A full media scrum today – both papers as well as three TV stations, and Kevin Falness and Tom Reid. Marney Gellner of Fox Sports North was also on hand to shoot a story with Benoit Pouliot, and Travis Brillowski and Robert Desimone of Wild.com did an Erik Reitz story in one of the side locker rooms. General manager Doug Risebrough and assistant GM Tom Lynn were also at the rink, so there were plenty of interviews to go around.

From Russo's Rants

Tense-filled morning down at Parade as the media horde came out to ask a very agitated Doug Risebrough and Marian Gaborik, “What’s the latest?” regarding stalled negotiations and all the trade rumors.

Gaborik said he doesn’t know what’s the truth, and that the media is making up trade rumors.

Risebrough wouldn’t comment on much, saying he didn’t want to perpetuate all the speculation.

He also wouldn’t talk about Gaborik’s “lower body injury,” although he said on Sid Hartman’s WCCO show Sunday what I reported last week in the paper and the blog: Gaborik wasn’t injured in Atlanta. He was actually injured playing the soccer hackysack tennis game last Wednesday morning in South Florida.

Risebrough told Sid and WCCO, “they play this game to warm up, which is a soccer game … and I think it tightened up his legs.”

An angry Risebrough wouldn’t comment about that comment today to the two beat writers because of the team’s new injury policy. Of course, that didn’t stop Risebrough from talking about Gaborik’s injury on radio. He said he’d “pick and choose” whom he comments to about anything.

How long until the team speeds up the Gaborik talks just to get him out? I can't imagine Lemaire likes having this kind of coverage around.

Pay attention to the first five words of this sentence...let it kick around in your head a while, and laughter will follow...

...

....

.....

"Derek Boogaard played defense today because Lemaire wanted to practice defenseman Tomas Mojzis at wing again."

The Next Big Thing is an ongoing series of blogs about what has Wild fans spinning, what has the bees in our collective bonnets buzzing.

A small disclaimer before I post my first entry to the Wilderness. A couple weeks ago, Marian Gaborik made the comment that "If they would just give me what I want, we wouldn't be talking about it." This led to an entry on my old blog declaring that I have lost all respect for Gaborik, and I gave him a new moniker, "Uncle Moneybags." So as to not involve this blog in the current hullabaloo going on over at Covered in Oil, I hereby offer Mr. Gaborik the opportunity to reply. I am not trying to hide behind an anonymous blog, throwing insults out there. My email is posted, if Mr. Gaborik would like to challenge the new nickname, I am more than willing to listen. I also will not link back to my old blog going forward, but I wanted you, the reader to be able to see some of the background from my angle. With that said...

Doesn't seem like it took long for the last Next Big Thing to pass, does it? Seems the speculation over the trading of Moneybags is more important to the fans than the play of "the Kids."

And boy, are the fans ramped up right now. All over the net, fans are up until the wee hours of the morning on the message boards, and back as soon as they get up, just to see if anything happened, and to check in with the latest round of speculation.

Around a week ago, the rumor was floated of a Chris Higgins and a host of combinations of prospects or picks for Moneybags. Some fans are in favor of the trade, others not so much, figuring it would be better to trade him straight up for Evgeni Malkin.

While the rumor of the trade has gained momentum, especially with the GM meeting in Chicago in two days, haven't we here on the internet found that we can digest these things and move on quickly? Today the reporting on the potential deal continues, with both Shipley and Russo putting new articles online and in print about the same deal we were talking about for the last week.

The only new twist that has popped up is this post from Eric Engels of the Monetreal Gazette, stating flat out why the deal won't work, and why the Habs should have nothing to do with it. If that doesn't serve as a wake up call for some Wild fans, I don't know what will. Russo and Shipley report that there are GMs telling Doug Risebrough they aren't interested, and now the beat writers on the other side of the deal are saying the deal makes no sense for their side. Makes me start (continue?) to wonder if Uncle Moneybags has the value he and his agent really think they do.

 My esteemed colleague Neide has a poll at the bottom of his post this morning about the trade rumors. As of the writing of this post, the response was 50% in favor of the Higgins deal, 50% opposed. I for one voted that yes I would accept it. Not because I think it is the best Risebrough can do, but because it is time for the circus to end, and this deal is the first one with teeth that has been reasonable.

Trade the man, and let the team move on without him. The Wild have the ability to score, the ability to gut it out, and a more than solid defense. And they have Mikko Koivu, which is all you really need.

*Above photo from The Hockey News*

-Buddha

According to an NHL team executive, Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough has been actively shopping Gaborik around the league and over the weekend offered Gaborik to his team in a trade.

The executive said he was not interested.

Gaborik, 26, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer, has rejected multiple contract extension offers from the Wild, and the team has come to the realization that it's doubtful it will be able to sign him, sources say.

Negotiations have stalled, and the two sides haven't spoken in two weeks -- something Risebrough and agent Ron Salcer confirmed over the weekend.

-Star Tribune

More info from the PiPress

Rumors have been out there, but mostly crazy ones, such as Gaborik straight up for Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin (Wild: "Uh, where do I sign?") or Gaborik to Edmonton (he doesn't want to be here, you think he wants to be in Edmonton?).

But the rumor the Montreal press was sinking its teeth into Monday isn't so patently insane: Gaborik to Montreal for winger Higgins, backup goalie Jaroslav Halak and either a first-round draft pick or top prospect Ryan McDonagh (yes, that Ryan McDonagh).

Like all rumors, this one is not substantiated by a named source. That doesn't mean it's not true, but it does mean one should approach it with caution. For one thing, the numbers don't add up: If the deal were done as is, Montreal would be about $3.86 million over the cap. And acquiring a backup goaltender doesn't make much sense for the Wild.

Petr Kalus pulled a Roman Voloshenko, found on Aeroscribe:

From what I understand, Petr Kalus (healthy scratch this weekend against San Antonio) has left the team to play in Europe. I guess if this guy was lighting up the world and I thought the guy had a prayer of cracking an NHL roster, it would be more of a story. But to me, this is about a guy that did not live up to potential and was not working hard enough to get back to the NHL. Then again, if he was working *that* hard, then the talent isn't there to warrant a promotion.

I'll be looking for additional information on this.

Wild Top Stories

1. Zid's off the skids. Marek Zidlicky is practicing with the team, and indications are that he will make his debut at home against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday
   The Star Tribune's Brian Stensaas (and Randball's own Stensation) filed this report from Parade.
   

   I talked with Zidlicky for the first time today. I think he’s genuinely excited to be here. His face lit up when asked about Thursday. He is ready to get in front of a sold-out arena.

   
   
2. More injury updates: The Wild Walking Wounded (Owen Nolan, Marian Gaborik and Pierre-Marc Bouchard) were held out of practice today, but did in fact skate prior to the practice session.

   Jacques said the trio is just not ready yet to fully practice. But he’s encouraged by the next two days off yet before playing again.

3. Buh-buh-buh-Bruno and the Finnnssssahhhhh. Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen and Mikko Koivu were given a pass from practice 30 minutes early. It wasn't to send a message, but I'm guessing it did in fact to the young kids. Play hard, play well and you don't have to practice as hard.
   
   
4. The Kids Aren't Alright. It's no secret that Jacques Lemaire has issues with the youngsters on the roster, and has been loathe to play the young guys over the vets (he must have spoken with Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire), but the message was sent this weekend, and it's loud and clear.
   From the Pioneer Press:
   

   Earlier this week Lemaire said his young players might have to "learn the hard way." The time for that lesson appears imminent.

   "Soon as I'll get my guys back, I know what I'm going to do," he said. "It's a matter of time — a matter of time, I'm telling you. It's no secret."

   With Marian Gaborik (lower body), Owen Nolan (leg), Pierre-Marc Bouchard (back) and Marek Zidlicky (ankle) sidelined by injuries, the Wild gutted out three road victories on the backs of Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen, Eric Belanger and the team's other remaining veterans.

   The contributions of players such as Benoit Pouliot, Colton Gillies and Erik Reitz - each playing their first full NHL seasons - were negligible. Even second-year center James Sheppard has struggled.

   "I don't want to get on them, but come on," Lemaire said. "This is the NHL. I've said that. We demand a lot, and the kids have got to play."

   "Gabby might be back, Bouchard might be back, Zidlicky might be back. And maybe Nolan will be back, too. When we get these players, we'll be fine," Lemaire said. "That's got to help, because we can't go like this."

Hello Hockey Wilderness, and welcome to the Buddha era!

I'm terrible at introducing myself, so I'll keep this brief.

I have graciously been offered a position here on the Wilderness to help cover the Wild. I have been a long time fan of the blog, and look forward to making any contribution I can.

I have been covering the Wild through my own blog for about three years now, and cover the Wild and the Golden Gophers for Pro Hockey News.

If you have something you want covered, or want to comment in a less public manner, please email me at:

buddhafisch@gmail.com

Thanks for reading, and Go Wild!

Michael Russo started talking about it over the weekend, and Eklund was talking about it last week (but nobody should believe anything that dude says, ever) so how close are we to moving Marian Gaborik to Les Habitants?

As I wrote weeks ago, Montreal makes a lot of sense. The Habs want to win now. The Habs have lots of cap space in future years. The Habs have lots of young talent. And I think Risebrough and Bob Gainey know each other or something.

I definitely think there’s a lot to all these rumors you’re reading on hockeybuzz, and I do believe Chris Higgins is the guy. The Wild would love Ryan McDonagh too. He’s the former Cretin-Derham Hall star, Minnesota Mr. Hockey and current Wisconsin Badger. Remember at last year’s Draft when I was reporting to you all the Manny Fernandez to Boston stuff, McDonagh is the guy the Wild wanted badly if it was somehow able to move up.

Here’s the thing, it’s very unlikely the Canadiens make any deal with these two substantial players if Gaborik is unwilling to sign there long-term. And I am confident in the fact that Risebrough has not yet asked Gaborik’s agent if he wants to talk to any other teams about a contract extension. In fact, Risebrough and Gaborik’s agent have still not spoken in a few weeks – as of yesterday at least.

Also, cap room would be a problem this year. Gaborik is at 6.33. Higgins is at 1.7, so there would need to be money moving elsewhere.

I know for a fact that Wild Director of Pro Scouting Blair Mackasey attended tonight’s Canadiens game, but that probably means little. First of all, I don’t think Higgins played due to a groiner, and obviously McDonagh didn’t play. And Mackasey lives in Montreal, so this was not exactly abnormal.

Regardless, things could be heating up soon. Risebrough will be heading to Chicago on Thursday for the GM’s Meetings, and you can bet Gaborik’s name will be coming up with many of his colleagues.

The Montreal Press likes the idea:

Translated from Mathias Brunet at cyberpresse.ca

Gaborik? I say yes!

The subject became inevitable. It is not a question here to confirm the veracity of the rumour, though very connected chronicler of Mineapolis Star Platform, Michael Russo, seems from now on to see him also Montreal like a potential destination for Gaborik. It is on its blogist today. And maintaining the question which kills. Gaborik in Montreal?

Me, I say yes!

Initially, perhaps those which déblatèrent on the account of Gaborik do not know the immense potential of this player (of only 26 years!), one of the most charged with electricity attackers of the LNH. Truth which it was wounded in the past, but it disputed 77 matches last year and marked 42 goals. Bad player of team? Did prima donna? Do you think that a bad player of team can play during eight years for Jacques Lemaire? Do you think that a bad player of team can be appointed captain by Jacques Lemaire at the end of the season and series last year? Do you think that a bad player of team can be made offer a contract of 80 million for ten years by Doug Risebrough and Lemaire?

But Gaborik refused this sum and it is what would place it on the market because Wild does not want to lose it without anything to obtain in return. The Canadian is well. It is true. But we are in October. How to spit on the possibility of obtaining such a player? How can one have too good players? Imagine the first trio made up of Andrei Kostitsyn (if it returns soon), Tomas Plekanec and Alex Kovalev, then you send on the ice Koivu, Tanguay on the left, its natural position, then Gaborik. And your troisème trio is made of Latendresse, Lang and Sergei. Ouch! It is the year of the centenary. The Canadian has a club able to compete for the Cut. He should not miss the train. This same train that the Senators missed a few years ago.

Jacques Lemaire always repeated that the day when Gaborik would dispute one complete season, it could mark 50 goals easily. The risk is worth the candle of it. The other factor to consider, it is that the Canadian abounds players in future, thanks to the excellent work of recruitment of Andre Savard, then of Trevor Timmins. One does not speak about Penguins de Pittsburgh, which had to sacrifice their principal hopes and which are found with a rather empty bank of young people today.

Does Higgins leave? Pacioretty is ready to take the changing, Latendresse starts to hatch, just like the two Kostitsyn brothers. It is a profit if Gaborik, which while passing adores Montreal, remains with the team after this season. Is Ryan McDonagh sacrificed with Higgins? In an ideal world, I would prefer that one does not touch with the young man and I would choose to offer a choice to the fishing out, but if it should absolutely be included in a transaction, there remains Yannick Weber, Alexei Emelin and P.K. Subban loans to take the changing in a brought closer future.

Bob Gainey already exchanged Jarome Iginla (then in the rows juniors) to obtain Joe Nieuwendyk. Iginla became the player whom one knows, but nobody will be able to reproach Gainey this transaction since Dallas would probably not have gained the Cut without Nieuwendyk. But I repeat it so much, if CH can keep McDonagh, better. The Canadian built his club quietly. It is the moment to pass to the action. The situation is ideal.

*** In answer to the first readers, you will have noticed that I did not go into the details of the transaction. I spoke about some names, but not about all the names. Of course that it with the aspect of the wage ceiling to respect there. It is a formality when the two teams want to really compromise; the exchanges can always end up balancing in the wage plan, kind the team accept the young person, but must also accomodate a quite paid veteran to reduce the ceiling of the other, etc

*** I do not compare Nieuwendyk with Gaborik. I compare the situation, two clubs, Dallas and Montreal, not too far from their apogee, which may find it beneficial to make a blow of glare to finish at the top.

Sounds like they want Gaby in Montreal. Why wouldn't they? However, Higgins isn't enough, and he has his own injury issues. Read here, from Marc Antoine Godin:

And then, there is this rumour of exchange which floats since ten days and which sends it to Minnesota in a transaction implying Marian Gaborik.

After having heard thousand and one rumours last year, that sets out again of more beautiful for the American attacker!

“I start to be a little tanned, recognized Higgins. But as a professional athlete, you do not have the choice to expect this type of things.

“That made 12 years that Saku Koivu is with the Canadian and it forever ceased hearing rumours about it. Nobody is safe from that.”

Does Higgins ensure that it does not spend its great days to be wondered “why me?”

“I believe that it is the fact that the DG Don Waddell named publicly me last season (note: in the negotiations implying Marian Hossa) who explains why my name circulates more.”

“Its name returns in the rumours because you do not stop speaking about Marian Gaborik”, Carbo launched to the journalists. Cease speaking about Gaborik, and one will cease hearing the name of Higgins.”

It remains that the absence of Higgins to the drive of yesterday, whereas it is about to obtain the green light of the doctors, raised interrogations.

So, anyone here want Chris Higgins for Gaborik? Honestly?

Ugly, ugly, ugly 1-0 win.

You cannot make those kinds of mistakes, and blow chances against a mediocre team and expect to get a win like last night. Tampa Bay is a team against whom you should get into a track meet. They can't score, and give up a huge amount of shots. Against them, you open it up and see what happens. The Wild didn't, and it should have cost them dearly.

Hockey Wilderness Three Stars
3. Mark Smith - 21 shots, 20 saves
2. Antti Miettinen – 1 goal
1. Niklas Backstrom - 32 shots, 32 saves

Questions to Answer

1. Will tonight be the night they give up a goal on the PK? Apparently not. The PK is very, very good right now.
   
2. Should the Wild go out and sign Teppo Numminen, Teemu Selanne, Janne Niienema and every other Finn in the NHL? Too soon to tell, but the Finns took a step back.
   
3. Bigger rookie performance tonight, Colton Gillies or Steven Stamkos? Frankly, neither impressed at all.
   
4. Can Benoit Pouliot get out of Lemaire's doghouse, or is he destined to be moved? Seems like he's still in it.
   
5. Bigger attendance, Atlanta, Miami or Tampa? Definitely not Miami, Tampa would have crushed had it not been for the Rays, so I think it was likely Atlanta.

Game recap

The Wild, who entered the game second in the NHL in power-play efficiency at 42.9 percent, went 0-for-8 with the man advantage, including a 4-on-3 power play in the final 1:19 of overtime. Minnesota also killed three penalties to remain perfect (15-for-15) in four games.

Minnesota center Mikko Koivu, the NHL's leading scorer with nine points, was held without a point for the first time this season.

Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith, making his third start of the season, stopped all 21 shots he faced in regulation and overtime. Smith also turned aside a shootout attempt by Koivu before Miettinen scored the winner.

The shots allowed by Tampa Bay were the fewest by a Lightning opponent this season. In four games, Tampa Bay had allowed an average of 40.5 shots on goal.

From the home press

Even the winningest coach in NHL history has taken note. Thirty seconds after Miettinen scored the lone shootout goal and lifted the Wild to a 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night, Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman walked into the elevator and said, "Boy, that Miettinen was a good pickup, eh?"

What did Lemaire think?

"You know how they say you find a way to win?" coach Jacques Lemaire said. "That's what we did tonight. Not a great way.

"The guys worked hard. I've got to give them that. But above the ice there, we didn't have much going."

Erik Belanger the Workhorse

Belanger logged 24 minutes, 17 seconds, tops among forwards, and nearly played half the first period when the Wild got into penalty trouble.

"After the first period, I said, 'Are you going to die?' " Lemaire said.

Said Belanger, "Thank God I felt great tonight because it would have been a long night. It was one of those nights where I felt I could skate forever. Thank God we don't play [tonight]."

Russo on Gaborik

He seems to be walking better on his lower body injury, although he came up to me after the game and said I was seeing things when I wrote he was limping yesterday. Gaborik knows his gait better than me, so we’ll give him that.

As for all the trade rumors out there, I wrote this last week and said this on TV, but it was confirmed to me beyond a shadow of a doubt today from a league executive that Doug Risebrough is offering Gaborik around the NHL.

From the enemy press

Lightning defense­man Andrej Meszaros mulled Saturday night's game with the Wild and came to a conclusion with which most of his teammates probably agreed.

"I think we were the better team than Minnesota," he said. "Sometimes you don't deserve to win, but I think we did."

And that's what made a 1-0 shootout loss at the St. Pete Times Forum so tough to take.

"Tonight was by far the best game we've played this season," Smith said. "From the D to the forwards, everyone battled hard. Everyone finished checks, did the things you have to do to win games."

Continue to see the game in pictures and video highlights.

Continue reading this post »

Ok folks...Im gonna' say it...and you may not like it...the Wild shouldn't have won that game. Simply put, they were out shot, out chanced, out played. Tampa missed some open nets, and should have ended up with the two points. But, with that, they won...and sometimes ya need a bit of luck. Here are my three things from this evening's contest.

Why the Wild won-

1) Captain Backstrom: I haven't seen Nik on his game like this for some time. I mean, wow. He was covering side to side, the butterfly was stellar, and he was at the top of the crease challenging shooters. Combined with his co-goalie, there was great keeping tonight.

2) Penalty Kill: This squad was absolutely amazing. They continue to be amazing, and hopefully they can be this way for the remainder of the season. Probably not gonna happen, but, a guy can hope. Three cheers for the PK!

3) Eric Belanger's defense: Not only was his back checking top notch tonight, Eric made two saves tonight with his co-goalie Nik Backstrom. The way he went down and stacked his legs was impressive, but his diving soccer style "penalty kick" save was quite impressive. Nevermind the fact that replays showed that the puck on that save was going nowhere near the net...it was very entertaining and the willingess to give up the body is something I love seeing from this team.

Why the Wild could have lost-

1) Power Play: (0/7) is a bad stat on the PP. The previous games the PP has been solid, but tonight was quite poor. I mean, I dont expect a (3/4) every night, but with seven chances, you need to hit the twine.

2) Offensive Zone time of possession: I didn't time this, but I swear to god the Lightning were in the Wild zone, and cycling for an average of 20-35 seconds per shift, and the wild went into the tampa zone, took one shot, or dumped it in, and ran back to play defense. There was no sustained pressure at all coming from the wild offense and that simply will not cut it as the season continues.

3) Playing one scoring line: I am fairly certain that neither Barry Melrose nor any Tampa Bay player was concerned when any line not called "Brunette/Koivu/Miettinen" skated tonight. I mean, you need to have two scoring lines, and tonight I dont think Sheppard/Veilleux cut it as a scoring line. Oh, and I would have been shaking in my boots seeing Weller and Boogey coming at me...but not from fear that a puck was going in the net. The Wild need to get PMB and Nolan back, and figure out what the hell to do with Gabby. They can't afford to be a one trick pony on the offensive side of the puck.

This is what I saw tonight...anyone agree? Disagree?