Hockey Wilderness: FanShots

All the Gabbin' About Gaborik - Bob McKenzie

neide — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:37:28 -0000

All the Gabbin' About Gaborik - Bob McKenzie

Gaborik, thus far, has rejected all contract offers from the Wild and it doesn't look like he's about to put pen to paper in the Twin Cities any time soon.

But the reality is Gaborik hasn't played an NHL game since Oct. 14, the Wild's second game of the season, sidelined with the mysterious "lower-body" ailment, which for the finely-tuned Slovakian speedster means he's continuing to have issues with his musculature (quads, hamstrings, adductors, glutes, take your pick) somewhere above the knees but below the abdomen.

The NHL's top defensive defencemen: The early returns - From The Rink

neide — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:59:18 -0000

The NHL's top defensive defencemen: The early returns - From The Rink

Kim Johnsson, Nick Schultz, He Who Must Not Be Named and Marek Zidlicky all make appearances on Mirtle's Top Defensive Defensemen list. Go check it out and talk up our boys.

Ducks hand reins to Murray - From The Rink

neide — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:33:10 -0000

Ducks hand reins to Murray - From The Rink

Brian Burke's only quote to this point:

"As I’ve said all along, the Samuelis and Michael Schulman are special people," said Burke. "This was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. I’m comforted that the team is in great hands with Bob and David (McNab) in charge. I can’t thank everyone enough for their understanding and patience as I wrestled with this decision."

UPDATE The Ducks PR staff have made full transcripts of all of the pressers available now, including Burke's 18-minute media availability session. I thought this was an interesting quote from Burke:

There was no way I would have the nerve to ask to go back somewhere if I hadn’t won a championship here. I think that would have taken a lot more nerve than I have. That validated me. That justified my asking. In other words, if I hadn’t delivered I think it’s a real different equation.

Burke to step down - From The Rink

neide — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:31:15 -0000

Burke to step down - From The Rink

The Ducks have scheduled a press conference for 3:30 EST this afternoon to make an announcement related to their general manager position, and it's hard to imagine that it's anything but news that Brian Burke is stepping down.

Prepare for things to go nuts in Toronto, where he's been long-rumoured to resurface next season.

Pal Demitra casts a vote: Wild should keep Gaborik

neide — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:36:57 -0000

Pal Demitra casts a vote: Wild should keep Gaborik

"I think [the Wild] should keep him; he's a top player. He's a special player, obviously, with his speed and his shot. He proves it every year," said Demitra, who, like Gaborik, is not playing because of an injury.

think it's unfair," Demitra said. "He does so much for Minnesota; he's a great player, and hockey is a tough business. Everybody is looking for his best options. But a player like that, they should always choose to keep him. But a lot of stuff is in the paper, and nobody really sees what's inside.

"I just feel bad for Gaby. He's a great player; he just needs to get healthy -- whatever it takes to get healthy and get back on the ice."

Forget Gaborik: Minnesota should focus on Backstrom - Puck Daddy - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

neide — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:00:08 -0000

Forget Gaborik: Minnesota should focus on Backstrom - Puck Daddy - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

While the hockey world keeps its eye focused on Marian Gaborik's contract negotiations (as well as his groin), there's another pending unrestricted free agent that is just as important to the Minnesota Wild franchise: Goaltender Niklas Backstrom.

The 30-year-old goaltender has been nothing short of phenomenal since coming on the scene in 2006. With a career goals-against average of 2.18, .924 save pct. and a 64-23-15 record, Backstrom will likely double his $3.1 million salary thanks to a weak free agent crop of goaltenders next summer.

NHL reveals all-star ballots - From The Rink

neide — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:53:07 -0000

NHL reveals all-star ballots - From The Rink

The ballots for the all-star game are always ludicrous, and this year's — while improved — is really no exception. I'll post the entire list of 104 players below and offer some analysis below that:

Brandon Sutter's injury has dad talking about revenge

neide — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:52:15 -0000

Brandon Sutter's injury has dad talking about revenge

Brent Sutter is coach of the New Jersey Devils. He played in the NHL for many years and said he suffered eight or nine concussions in his career.

But Sutter said what happened to Brandon Sutter on Saturday night in the Carolina Hurricanes' game against the New York Islanders -- Brandon being leveled by the Islanders' Doug Weight and suffering a concussion -- shouldn't be a part of the game today.

It's tougher than ever to tell Koivus apart

neide — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:55:24 -0000

It's tougher than ever to tell Koivus apart

In 1995, a Montreal Canadiens star named Mark Recchi was assigned to show the ropes to a hotshot 20-year-old prospect named Saku Koivu.

That same year, Koivu's little brother, a 12-year-old named Mikko, came to Montreal with his parents, Jukka and Tuire, to visit Big Bro.

"He was so excited his brother was in the NHL. And you could tell there was something special there, too," said Recchi, now 40, a potential Hall of Famer who's still trucking along with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

MyFox Orlando | No Gaborik? No Problem For Wild

neide — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:35:44 -0000

MyFox Orlando | No Gaborik? No Problem For Wild

Marian Gaborik isn't playing, and the Minnesota Wild are rolling along just fine without him.

In the last 25 games in which Bouchard scores, the Wild are 23-1-1. He missed three games this month due to injury, as did Owen Nolan.

Nolan, who took Gaborik's roster spot by coming off the injured list, scored his first goal since signing with Minnesota during the summer and assisted on Bouchard's score. Defenseman Marek Zidlicky, who sat out the first four games with an injury, notched his first assist, too.

Add that up and the players the Wild brought in to replace departed scorers and upgrade the potency of the blue line are producing like they need to. What's especially noticeable, though only six games into the season, is the way this team has been able to succeed without the venerable Gaborik.

*Finally, Michael Russo had quotes from Marian Gaborik’s agent the other day, ridiculing some of t...

neide — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:26:03 -0000

*Finally, Michael Russo had quotes from Marian Gaborik’s agent the other day, ridiculing some of the reported contract offers that Gaby supposedly turned down. Let’s be clear, here — the only reason figures like this are out there is because the Wild wants them to be. The team feels handcuffed by this Gaborik situation, where they can’t trade him without angering the fan base but don’t want to risk drastically overpaying for a fragile, streaky goalscorer — and thus they’re shooting the last bullet in the gun, by trying to make the guy look like a greedy, callous, loyalty-free jerk. If you’re a Twins fan, you’re familiar with this tactic — they use it any time they have a major free agent out there, most recently with Torii Hunter.

I guess we should all look on the bright side; sure, the favorite player of half the state is on his way out, but we’ve still got Derek Boogaard, and he’s the other half’s favorite. Forget goal scoring — hooray knuckle sandwiches!

Randball

Agent defends Gaborik about reported offers

neide — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:44:24 -0000

Agent defends Gaborik about reported offers

Marian Gaborik's agent came to his client's defense Wednesday night after being criticized for reportedly turning down contract extensions ranging from $8.5 million to even as much as $10 million annually.

Ron Salcer said Gaborik is being hammered in the public airways, blogs and message boards based on the premise of misinformation being reported by the media.

Salcer disputed what he considered some of the more outrageous claims being tossed around, such as the seven-year, $70 million and eight-year, $80 million rejections reported in Tuesday's Pioneer Press.

Salcer said he is dumbfounded that it's been reported that Gaborik continues to reject contracts worth more and more money when the two sides have not even spoken in more than two weeks.

"Unfortunately, Marian has been absorbing a character assassination on the premise of misinformation that has circulated like gospel," Salcer said. "The offers that have been thrown at the wall of 10 years, $85 million, $90 million and $100 million are wrong, as are what I now hear -- seven years, $70 million and eight years, $80 million. They're also wrong.

Parrish signs AHL tryout contract - From The Rink

neide — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:33:14 -0000

Parrish signs AHL tryout contract - From The Rink

Mark Parrish is back in the Islanders organization, but for now, he's with their minor-league affiliate.

Chris Botta has much more on his blog, including an interview with Parrish:

Parrish had an awful season in Minnesota last year after signing a long-term deal with the Wild as a free agent a few years earlier, and sounds desperate to reprove himself as an NHL player.

Swedish hockey fans get creative with their heckling

neide — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:12:59 -0000

Swedish hockey fans get creative with their heckling

May be NSFW, but this is an outstanding story.

Thrashers' attendance plummets - From The Rink

neide — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:26:41 -0000

Thrashers' attendance plummets - From The Rink

Hmm, so I'm not the only one calling out Atlanta for poor attendance? Where's the guy to say it's all a protest??

NHL.com - News: Backstrom named to NHL 'Three Stars' of the week - 10/20/2008

neide — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:17:27 -0000

NHL.com - News: Backstrom named to NHL 'Three Stars' of the week - 10/20/2008

Backstrom posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.30 goals-against average, .952 save percentage and one shutout as the Wild won three consecutive road games. Backstrom turned aside 80 of 84 shots for the week, beginning with a 24-save performance in a 4-2 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on Oct. 14. He stopped 24 shots in a 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Oct. 16 and finished off the week by posting a shutout in a 32-save performance against Tampa Bay on Oct. 18. He has four wins on the season.

Welcome to James Mirtle - From the Rink

neide — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:17:51 -0000

Welcome to James Mirtle - From the Rink

Renowned hockey blogger James Mirtle (previously of mirtle.blogspot.com, has joined us at SB Nation as the manager of NHL blogs and will be setting up shop at From the Rink.

So please, go over, say hi and introduce yourself. It's going to be good for all of us.

After the Wild’s 1-0 shootout victory Saturday night at Tampa Bay—a game in which the Wild was o...

neide — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:34:43 -0000

After the Wild’s 1-0 shootout victory Saturday night at Tampa Bay—a game in which the Wild was outplayed by the Lightning—coach Jacques Lemaire lit into Benoit Pouliot, 22, James Sheppard, 20, and Colton Gillies, 19, for not stepping up…

"They’ve got to do better!" snapped Lemaire, his voice rising, his face reddening. "Come on. We’ve got to see them. I’ve got nobody! I’ve got nobody to play, and I’ve got to sit them? They have to wake up. Come on!

"I don’t want to get on them, but you know, this is the NHL. I’ve said that. But we demand a lot. The kids, they’ve got to play."

Russo's Rants

Memories Remain For Bolts' Walz

neide — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:28:00 -0000

Memories Remain For Bolts' Walz

Wes Walz walked down the hallway toward the Lightning locker room Friday afternoon as someone playfully yelled in his direction, "Cut the cord!"

His ties to the Minnesota Wild, however, are still pretty important to Walz, who is in his first year as an assistant coach with Tampa Bay. After spending the previous seven years as a player with the Wild, where he was an original member of the franchise, Walz retired after appearing in 11 games last season.

Tonight, the 38-year-old will stand behind the Lightning bench to face the team he put his heart and soul into for most of his career.

As Walz made his way closer to the Tampa Bay locker room, shouts came from opposite ends of the hallway of "Walzy, Walzy" as some of his former Minnesota teammates wanted to say hello.

Let's Play Hockey Interviews Craig Leipold

Jon Marthaler — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:23:09 -0000

Let's Play Hockey Interviews Craig Leipold

LPH talks to Craig Leipold, who's exactly as boring as you might think.