Folks have asked if I could somehow alert the masses of links, pics and/or videos in my posts ahead of time so that they know to click on the link to my blog right away or can just read the text within the email notification. Answer: Just assume there's a link, a pic or a video included in all of my posts. It will be very rare that I won't have links, pictures, emoticons and videos to share. That's kind of the whole point of blogging versus just text emailing, right? And now, back to our regularly scheduled blogging...
Holy Where You Been, Man?
I’ve been slacking off. I only have one good excuse and I’m gonna use it cuz it’s a cool one. I’ve been busy with a new obsession in my life. No, I’m not in Finland stalking Casey Wellman
. I have a new camera so I’ve been submerged in the manual and learning what all those buttons and settings mean. It couldn’t have come at a better time of year. As much as I absolutely LOATHE this state’s cold weather I am not blind to the spectacular display in nature this time of year. This is a good year for fall foliage thanks to this extended run of sunny days and cool nights. It’s really kind of a good thing that the Wild are in Finland right now so that we can get our fix of fall walks and day trips in before the bitter end comes. I’m referring to the weather, not what we’ll ultimately be calling the Wild’s season 
Hockey In Helsinki
Michael Russo’s coverage of the Wild’s trip to Helsinki has been informative and very amusing so far and that’s before the guys have even played their first game. Please take the time to read his BLOG and ARTICLES. I also follow him on twitter for breaking information and very entertaining pictures and videos that don’t make it into the paper. Today our guys take on the Ilves Tampere at the Tampereen Jaahalli Arena. Say that three times really fast, I dare ya. This morning’s game (11:00 a.m. our time) won’t be televised nor is it on the radio so by all means follow Russo on twitter: www.twitter.com/russostrib . BTW, that's really Wes Walz (@walz3737) tweeting with Russo. Michael also has that facebook thingy on the internets so you can go here too: www.facebook.com/startribunemikerusso.
I think it’s awesome for the NHL and our guys to have this experience in Europe. But here’s something for all of you to chew on: given the hero/cult status our team, and especially our resident Fins, are experiencing right now, do you think there will be some “rock star syndrome” issues when they return home?
There’s a TON of information to keep up with these days due to injuries, the Helsinki trip and the overall landscape of the Wild going into this season. I’ll bullet point for you as best as I can but you all should be following Mr. Russo. What a great job he has – must feel like a kid these last few days!
My Precious
• Wild signed goalie Jose Theodore to a one year deal in response to Josh Harding’s season-ending injury. Jose is in Houston getting the kinks worked out and it appears that Khudobin will be Houston-bound shortly upon arriving back in the Twin Cities. I’m torn about this, you all know how I love my hobbit, but I’m also happy to see our GM doing what’s best for the team. Side Note: Matt Hackett is off to a great start in the net in Houston with a solid show in their only preseason game last night.
Chopping Block
• Having signed a new goalie and needing to keep Khudobin on the roster until the team is home again, the Wild will need to make two cuts come Wednesday. Here’s what Russo thinks and I’m prone to agree: one forward - Matt Kassian or Casey Wellman, and one defenseman – Drew Bagnall or Clayton Stoner (regardless of his NHL-sized salary).
It’s a tough decision between Matt and Casey. Matt’s got the size to take on the enforcer role and any lack of real minutes per game isn’t a true loss at this point. Casey’s the real deal – he’s proven himself already. But if he’s really not going to get the playing time here then he should go to Houston to keep his development on track. On defense – to me this is a no brainer…send Stoner back. Fletcher should munch Stoner’s salary hit while thinking about penning that kind of contract, ever again. I’m sorry Clayton, but it really appears as though you’re under the same black cloud as Sheppard these days.
Suspended?
• Speaking of Mr. Know-It-All Sheppard…I’ve read this several places, including in Russo’s blog: James will likely find himself suspended come Wednesday this week. Beyond the “God Punishes” reason to suspend him there is now a rather large financial reason. Our owner finds himself in the position of being way too close to the cap ceiling and we won’t start the regular season until Thursday this week. Leipold will have to carry Harding’s salary while he’s on the long term injury list plus the new Jose salary. Getting the $800,000.00 breathing room from Sheppard’s salary is needed now.
The Times, They Are A-Changin’
• We haven’t played a regular season game yet and look who’s already battling ‘tweaks’, ‘twinges’, ‘boo-boos’ and ‘owies’: Burns, Barker, Latendresse, Zidlicky. Then add in Bouchard who’s practicing but still nowhere near game-ready. What if we lose another player to serious injury? We’d be in a really tight spot financially. Under the Doug Risebrough/Bob Naegle regime the biggest complaint from ‘fans’ was the lack of spending by the owner. Now we have an owner/GM team, just two seasons in, and we’re so close to cap before playing our first regulation game it’s kinda painful. My, how times have changed.
New Blood
• Mikael Granlund (Wild’s 2010 first round pick) looks to be the real deal and if he is, woo-hoo! This kid is only 16 years old, but he’s playing on a team with men twice his age and he’s lighting it up big time. Okay, he’s playing with 32-36 year old guys – that’s not ancient, but it kind of puts things into perspective. But the fact that he’s skating circles around these guys and is already a leader in goals and assists speaks well for our future.
• Dennis Endras (Wild signed him in July – supposed to be the next Backstrom) will be joining the team on Wednesday as the third goalie for the Wild. GOD FORBID, anything happen to either Backstrom or Khudobin during the Thursday or Friday game Dennis will be ready to play. Here’s the reason this guy isn’t already in the net, given Harding’s injury: Fletcher promised to Endras that he could spend this season with his team in Germany. Um, Fletch – how does Stoner’s salary and that side of Endras’s Promise taste right now?
A Hint Of Things To Come?
Mario Tremblay has nothing to gain from saying this and I give credit to Russo for printing this, regardless of how it may affect his relationship with Richards going forward.
From the September 30, 2010 Russo's Rants Blog entry:
"Even before the season starts, the heat is on coach Todd Richards. Former Wild assistant coach Mario Tremblay took his old job back at CKAC in Montreal. He's also working for RDS TV. On CKAC Thursday, Tremblay had this to say (in French of course -- this is the translation) regarding my report yesterday that Michel Therrien is working for the Wild as a part-time scout."
Quoting Mario Tremblay: "Things are heating up in Minnesota. Some players are displeased. They don't have a good training camp. The haven’t won, yet. It seems the owner is starting to put pressure on Mr. Fletcher to make sure the team will have a good start. Michel is not there to be a long time pro scout. I hope Todd Richards realizes his days are numbered. I think the season will still be young when he’s going to be replaced. It could even happen before the season because the Wild hasn’t won yet."
"Now, this is definitely opinion, not a statement of fact by Mario. But there's no doubt the pressure is on. I don't see a slow start being accepted again after destroying the Wild's season last year. I don't think this is going to be a repeat of Joel Quenneville and Denis Savard in Chicago though. Two years ago, Savard had to look over his shoulder when Quenneville was hired as a scout, and he eventually did take over five games in. I've chatted with people that would know, and I don't buy that Therrien is a coach in waiting here. If something ever happens, it'll be somebody else, I believe."
Here's the link to the entire blog entry: Sept 30, 2010 Russo's Rants
Okay folks – that’s it for now. It’s gorgeous outside and I’m toting an empty 8gb card in my camera. Bobbi – let's hit the road, girlfriend!
For the Ebay Queen:
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