93 replies to this topic

[ahtikullervo]

35 Emmanuel FERNANDEZ 3.750.000
Niklas BÄCKSTRÖM

5 Kim JOHNSSON 4.050.000
3 Keith E. CARNEY 2.100.000
41 Martin SKOULA 1.625.000
55 Nick SCHULTZ 1.187.500
8 Brent BURNS 775.000
26 Kurtis FOSTER 775.000
33 Petteri NUMMELIN

10 Marian GABORIK 5.000.000
38 Pavol DEMITRA 4.500.000
21 Mark PARRISH 2.250.000
12 Brian ROLSTON 2.432.000
96 Pierre-Marc BOUCHARD 1.850.000
28 Todd WHITE 1.550.000
37 Wes WALZ 1.368.000
9 Mikko KOIVU 902.500
18 Mattias WEINHANDL 800.000
11 Pascal DUPUIS 798.000
92 Branko RADIVOJEVIC 600.000
19 Stephane VEILLEUX 550.000
24 Derek BOOGAARD 525.000
83 Matt FOY 460.000

RFA:

29 Josh HARDING
Eric REITZ

[DropThePuck]

The Wild's 2005 No. 1 pick, Benoit Pouliot, is a year older, stronger and faster but might be a longer shot to make the roster out of training camp in September.

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[DropThePuck]

Well, so much for using the "F-word" to describe the Minnesota Wild these days.
 
And if frugal doesn't apply anymore, neither does cheapskate or any similar labels often associated with an organization that has sold out almost every home game it has played but has put only one playoff team on the ice since joining the NHL in the 2000-01 season.

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[Mortar]

they have had a really kick @$$ off season.

[Dark Knight]

Minnesota Wild Derek Boogaard charged with assault in Regina

A 20-year-old man suffered injuries as a result of the alleged altercation at a nightclub just east of the city's downtown at about 2 a.m. on Aug. 12, Regina Police spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich said Friday.

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[DropThePuck]

Former Minnesota Wild defenseman Brad Bombardir has joined the organization as its director of community partnerships.

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[DropThePuck]

Minnesota Wild winger Brian Rolston (12) skates in on goalie Manny Fernandez during a scrimmage at the hockey team's first practice of the season Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, in Minneapolis.
(AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

[Moses Shatsby]

Pouliot is a bit overrated from what I read/hear. A lot of people are saying that he lacks the motivation and heart to play a 2nd or 1st line role in the NHL and might slip as far as his offensive ceiling is concerned... We'll see!

[DropThePuck]

Like every NHL goaltender, Wild backup Josh Harding personalizes the colors and design of his mask. The look of his newest headgear is acutely personal.

His older sister, Stephanie, is fighting breast cancer back home in Regina, Saskatchewan. Feeling helpless in Minnesota, Harding joined the crusade.

He had his designer paint the words, "Fund The Fight" and "Find A Cure" on both sides and adorn the new mask with six pink ribbons — the international battle sign against the disease.

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[Dark Knight]

Minnesota defends lack of deadline moves

General manager Doug Risebrough has left himself open to future criticism for his decision to stand pat, especially if the higher-profile moves made by rivals Calgary and Vancouver pan out. It also reinforces Risebrough's confidence that his current roster can get the job done.

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[Cassie8236]

Like every NHL goaltender, Wild backup Josh Harding personalizes the colors and design of his mask. The look of his newest headgear is acutely personal.

His older sister, Stephanie, is fighting breast cancer back home in Regina, Saskatchewan. Feeling helpless in Minnesota, Harding joined the crusade.

He had his designer paint the words, "Fund The Fight" and "Find A Cure" on both sides and adorn the new mask with six pink ribbons — the international battle sign against the disease.

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I just saw that and read the story and it almost made me cry. That's just really sweet. And I just did the walk for the cure in LA the 25th

[QuacksMeUp]

First time for me to see a whole game with Josh Harding in goal. The kid is very good. He is definitely from the Giguere school of goaltending - very disciplined. A real talent to watch.

[Dark Knight]

Assault charge dropped against Boogaard

An assault charge against Minnesota Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard was dropped Monday when new details cast doubt on the case.

''Late last week we received some additional information that caused us to make some more inquiries,'' said James Fitzgerald, a Crown prosecutor. ''When I spoke to the complainant we came to the decision that we simply didn't have a reasonable likelihood of conviction.''

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[Still MIGHTY]

Boogaard for assault?????
NO WAY!!!!

[DropThePuck]

The deal that really set the NHL's teeth on edge was the Penner sheet, which increased the undrafted free agent's yearly salary from $450,000 to $4.25 million.
...
This year's cap increased from $44 million to $50.3 million; for the cap to rise again, the league's revenue will have to increase about 13 percent.

The Wild are betting that won't happen, which might put a lid on offer sheets next summer. On the other hand, Risebrough said, you never know.

"It's too human; the market is a human thing - it's teams' needs, it's player availability, it's the reality of what teams have to spend, team philosophy, ownership," he said. "Does that mean it will happen? I don't know, but I think it means more teams are going to plan for it happening."

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[DropThePuck]

Wild about their chances

The Wild did succeed in returning to the playoffs for the second time in six seasons since joining the NHL. But once in the Stanley Cup tournament, Minnesota discovered its newfound skill and flair was no match for the Anaheim Ducks, who had both of these things plus a monster lineup predisposed to inflicting physical abuse.

Ducks forward Brad May's sucker punch that injured Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson at the end of Game Four was a snapshot for the first-round series, and the only real response Minnesota offered was to whine to the league and refuse to shake hands with the Ducks afterward.

The Ducks tossed the Wild in five games, proof that Risebrough's makeover was incomplete despite Minnesota's impressive 28-9-6 record over the final 43 games of the regular season.

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[Dark Knight]

Gaborik issues public apology

In an unprecedented move, Minnesota Wild forward Marian Gaborik has apologized to fantasy hockey owners for playing in a defensive system.

"When developing this team it is obvious that management paid no attention to fantasy owners, but instead selfishly decided that winning games was more important," Gaborik said in a "prepared statement."

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[MrsBevo]

There are some diehard fantasy hockey players who take it very seriously and spend some big bucks on the game. Believe me, players of all sports hear about it when they are or aren't performing up to par. The key here is the word "fantasy" - meaning fake, not real, dreamed up.

Sounds like Gaborik was a bit tongue in cheek, but he's right - the important thing is not an individuals stats but the win column.

[Duck304]

Wild beat the Oilers tonight! Oil's pick is destined to be great! Penner is on pace for a 14 goal season...

[Dark Knight]

Former Wild captain Walz to retire

There finally appears to be an answer coming for the Wes Walz saga in Minnesota.

The Wild said late Friday night that they will hold a press conference with their missing centre on Saturday morning, when Walz is expected to announce his retirement after 12 seasons in the NHL.

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A "saga" ?! They don't know what a saga is Congratulations to Walz for making up his mind and letting the team go on with their lives. Maybe he could give two other guys I know of a call...

[Marshy]

ouch i have no reason to watch the Wild anymore. He was my favorite.

[DropThePuck]

Walz announces retirement

Neither he nor the Wild offered any specifics about his leave of absence, which lasted a month, but Walz said at a news conference Saturday that he didn't feel like he was "on top of his game."

The 37-year-old has four children and said he's eager to spend more time with his family.

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[M T]

The Minnesota Wild will hold a “major news conference” at Xcel Energy Center today at 12:30 p.m. where it will be announced owner Bob Naegele has sold his majority interest in the team, a source confirmed this morning.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/13677817.html

[Duckbill]

For once an NHL Franchise transfers ownership without the specter of relocation hanging over the whole deal.

[DropThePuck]

Leipold means more suffering for Wild fans

In Nashville, Leipold whined that he couldn't make money in hockey. Despite the kind of taxpayer-funded gifts that would make any Canadian franchisee drool, he continuosly grovelled to local politicians asking for handouts. He moaned that he had lost $70 million and that he was being driven to distraction by his fianancial problems.

But then the post-lockout settlement came, and from the Music City came the cry of "Hallelujah!" Leipold was about to strike it rich. He sold the team for $193 million, more than $100 million above the 1997 purchase price.

Now, it seems, hockey isn't such a bad business after all. The guy who couldn't get out of hockey fast enough and was willing to risk the destruction of the league to get his way, is coming back into the business.

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