Showing posts with label Minnesota Wild. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Minnesota Wild. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Minnesota Wild's NBC TV Schedule.


The Minnesota Wild are going to have 11 games broadcast on NBC Sports Network this season. 

Full Wild National Broadcast Schedule (all times CT):
Oct. 9 — vs. Colorado, 8pm
Oct. 28 — at Boston, 6pm
Dec. 17 — vs. Boston, 7pm
Jan. 6 — vs. Sharks, 7pm
Jan. 11 — at Chicago, 7pm
Jan. 13 — at Pittsburgh, 6pm
Feb. 3 — vs. Chicago, 7pm
Feb. 22 — vs. Dallas, 7pm
Feb. 26 — at Nashville, 7:30pm
Apr. 7 — at Chicago, 7:30pm
Apr. 11 — at St. Louis, 2pm/6:30pm*

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Wild sign Jordan Schroeder to a two year contract



The Minnesota Wild have signed first round bust and former Golden Gopher Jordan Schroeder to a two-way contract. Based on who the Wild have in their current lineup, I don't see Schroeder playing in Minnesota all of that much.



Thursday, July 10, 2014

More Heatley, 'I can still play this game'



Former Minnesota forward Dany Heatley thinks that he still has something left in the tank. I think you're going to find the former Wisconsin Badgers comments interesting. I do like how Heatley has taken this in stride.  
Lisa Dillman, L.A. Times -- "I feel good," Heatley said. "I feel leaner. I know the knock on me is that I'm not quick enough anymore. I disagree with that. I can still play this game. I'm still quick enough, fast enough, and I can score goals.

"As far as Minnesota, I think they had a lot of great young players. As an older player, sometimes you get pushed to the side a little bit to let the younger guys develop. But at the same time, I feel like I was a good guy to the young kids. I mentored them a little bit. I enjoyed my time there. I just want another chance to show I can play and I think I still can play."

St. Louis Blues re-sign Agitator Steve Ott



Minnesota Wild fans, you can breath a sigh of relief, Steve Ott was re-signed by the St. Louis Blues. According to Michael Russo,  the Minnesota Wild were interesting in signing the agitator to a free agent deal. This is one player I am glad that the Wild didn't sign.
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the club has re-signed forward Steve Ott to a two-year contract.

Ott, 31, joined the Blues via trade from Buffalo last season on Feb. 28 and went on to post three assists and 37 penalty minutes in 23 regular season games, as well as two assists and 14 penalty minutes in six postseason appearances.

Prior to his acquisition, Ott produced 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) and 55 penalty minutes in 59 regular season games as Buffalo’s captain in 2013-14.

The 6-foot, 189-pound forward is a veteran of 11 NHL seasons, including stints with Dallas, Buffalo and St. Louis.

SI refers to the Minnesota Wild as a 'middle-of-the-road team'



So, Sports Illustrated referred to the Wild are a middle-of-the-road team. Yeah..I guess, whatever. I would refer to the Wild as an up-and-coming team that's ready to break out.
12 Minnesota Wild

Mikko Koivu-Mikael Granlund-Erik Haula-Kyle Brodziak

Koivu isn't the player he once was and Granlund isn't yet the player he will be, but both can be effective in top-six roles for a middle-of-the-road team. Brodziak struggled last season, losing his third line spot to Haula. The rookie showed real promise in the playoffs, chipping in offensively as well as bringing the speed and energy you'd expect out of the role.
I am going to make a prediction, don't be surprised if the Minnesota Wild go deep in the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Dany Healtey signed by the Ducks



The Ducks have signed former Wisconsin Badgers and Minnesota Wild forward Dany Heatley to a one year contract. According to Darren Dreger , it's for 1 million dollars. The former Wild forward is coming off a tough season, where he spent time in the press box and on the fourth line.  
NHL.COM -- The Ducks have signed left wing Dany Heatley to a one-year contract through the 2014-15 NHL season. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Heatley, 33 (1/21/81), has recorded 372-419=791 points with a +41 rating in 863 career NHL games with Atlanta, Ottawa, San Jose and Minnesota. A two-time 50-goal scorer, Heatley has been named to the NHL All-Star Game four times, named a First Team All-Star in 2007, a Second Team All-Star in 2006 and winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2002.

"Over the years, he’s been a guy I’ve always liked," said Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray. "He’s intriguing because he’s a pure goal scorer, and he’s actually much better away from the puck than people think he is. He struggled the last couple years for different reasons. A great opportunity presented itself. It was a good match."

Monday, July 07, 2014

Minnesota Wild Development Camp Roster (College Hockey Connections)



The Minnesota Wild are holding their development camp on July 9-14. There will be a scrimmage on the 14th of July.

2014 MINNESOTA WILD DEVELOPMENT CAMP ROSTER

FORWARDS (College Hockey Connections)
40 Tyler Sheehy 5-10 185 Right 11/20/95 Burnsville, Minnesota Minnesota Big 10  
41 Alex Iafallo 6-0 176 Left 12/21/93 Eden, New York U. Minn. Duluth NCHC 
43 Mario Lucia 6-3 195 Left 8/25/93 Fairbanks, Alaska Notre Dame  Hockey East 
50 Vinni Lettieri 5-9 170 Right 2/6/95 Excelsior, Minnesota U. Minnesota Big 10 
52 Alex Tuch 6-3.5 218 Right 5/10/96 Baldwinsville, New York Boston College HE 
57 Adam Gilmour 6-4 192 Right 1/29/94 Albany, New York Boston College HE 
59 Eric Scheid 5-9 163 Left 5/5/92 Coon Rapids, Minnesota Penn State Big 10 
62 Avery Peterson 6-3 200 Left 6/20/95 Grand Rapids, Minnesota Nebraska-Omaha
70 Adam Phillips 6-0 195 Right 8/11/90 Farmington Hills, Michigan UMass- Amherst HE 
71 Brooks Bertsch 5-11 185 Right 5/10/90 Dubuque, Iowa St. Cloud State NCHC 
73 Tanner Kero 5-11 175 Left 7/24/92 Hancock, Michigan Michigan Tech WCHA 
79 Grant Opperman 6-0 185 Right 11/15/93 Wayzata, Minnesota Dartmouth ECAC 

DEFENSEMEN (With College Hockey Connections)
5 Christian Folin 6-3 210 Right 2/9/91 Gothenburg, Sweden UMass-Lowell HE 
44 Gustav Olofsson 6-4 191 Left 12/1/94 Boras, Sweden Colorado College NCHC
60 Carson Soucy 6-5 200 Left 7/27/94 Viking, Alberta U. Minn. Duluth NCHC
72 Hunter Warner 6-2 202 Right 9/21/95 Eden Prairie, Minnesota Minn. State Mankato 
75 Zach Palmquist 5-11 175 Left 12/9/90 South St. Paul, Minnesota Minn. State Mankato WCHA 
80 Louie Belpedio 5-10 190 Right 5/14/96 Skokie, Illinois Miami U. NCHC 

GOALTENDER
86 Michael Shibrowski 6-1 199 Left 11/15/90 Andover, Minnesota U. Minnesota Big 10

Thursday, July 03, 2014

Minnesota Wild: Say no to Steve Ott



The Wild need toughness, and I agree that they need to get tougher. However, let's hope the Wild don't sign this piece of dog excrement. I am not in favor of this move whatsoever.  Ott is one of those players that you would definitely hate, and don't ever want to see him on your team, either.
Russo's Rants -- Here’s a look at how the Wild is shaping up to look like next season. This will change undoubtedly throughout the summer as the Wild add and delete players.

Remember, at some point, the Wild’s expected to acquire a physical defenseman to replace Clayton Stoner. It may also look to replace the gritty element up front of Cody McCormick. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun -- the great Pierre LeBrun, I may add -- reports the Wild has shown interest in Steve Ott, the former Dallas Stars agitator/smack talker and Sabres captain who was dealt with Ryan Miller to St. Louis last season. He once fought Cal Clutterbuck twice in the same game after Ott ran Josh Harding either that game or the game before, I can't remember (video of that incident on bottom of blog). Ott can play center and wing and kills penalties.

Toronto has also shown interest in Ott, I have heard.
In my opinion, the Wild already have an agitator in Matt Cooke. They need a forward that can kill penalties, chip in offense and stick up for teammates. Ott has played in 696 NHL games for three different teams, he’s scored (103g-164a—267pts) and has accumulated 1,355 penalty in minutes.

Disclaimer: Of course my opinion on this matter is going to be jaded, I am both a Wild and Bruins fan and I wasn't impressed with his antics when he was with the Buffalo Sabres. I admit that.

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Now They're all on the Same Team

Now all three are on the same team.  Anyone else excited about Thomas Vanek being a member of the Minnesota Wild?

Wild Sign Thomas Vanek



According to Michael Russo of the Startribune, the Minnesota wild have signed former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Montreal Canadiens forward Thomas Vanek to a three-year deal worth 19.5 million. That 's roughly 6.5 million a year. You can read about it here.

Minnesota Wild: Who's it going to be?



The free agent signing period starts at 11:00 A.M. Central. It would be interesting to see what it would take to sign Jarome Iginla or Thomas Vanek. UFA's Paul Stastny and Vanek sit atop of the list of available free agents.
:Michael Russo, Startribune - Thomas Vanek enjoyed his meeting with Wild coach Mike Yeo late Sunday, and the feeling was said to be mutual. But as of late Monday, it still was up in the air as to whether #VanekWatch would end Tuesday with the former Gophers star ending months of speculation by signing with his hometown NHL team.

The Wild made Vanek’s short list, but agent Steve Bartlett said there were other good options on it, too, as NHL free agency opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The other good options likely will offer Vanek more money and more years than the Wild, which might plan to tender the left winger a short-term deal.

The extra years, and thus security, could alter Vanek’s decision.

“Is it a deal-breaker if he loves everything about the team and they’re shorter term than another team? I don’t think it’s to that extent,” Bartlett said. “It’s just one more of those boxes that you check when you’re trying to make a decision.”

In a slim free-agent class that offers a multitude of forwards with a multitude of red flags, the Wild has shown the most interest in Vanek, the Stillwater resident, and veteran goal scorer Jarome Iginla, who turns 37 Tuesday. The Wild had more conversations Monday with Iginla’s reps in hopes of selling Iginla on its program and how it’s a Stanley Cup contender.

Monday, June 30, 2014

Minnesota Wild: The second most exciting time of the year



Tomorrow is one of the most exciting times of the year. Starting at 11:00 A.M. Central, the 2014 NHL free agent signing period begins. I like many other Wild fans, are excited to see who the Minnesota Wild end up signing. Will there be some former WCHA players calling Saint Paul, MN home? Looks like the Wild aren't looking for long term commitments, either.
Chad Graff, Pioneer Press - Thomas Vanek, 30, is a pure scorer, the type the Wild lacked last season when they finished 24th in goals scored, netting 2.43 per game.

Matt Niskanen, 27, is coming off the best season of his career, having scored 10 goals and recorded 36 assists and a team-best plus-33 rating for the Penguins. He would instantly upgrade the Wild's defense.

But at what cost?

That's what Fletcher is trying to determine in the final days before free agency begins.

With Vanek and Niskanen interested in hearing the Wild's pitch, Fletcher's decision on the two free agents ultimately might be defined more by years than price.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Wild Kicking the Tires on Jarome Iginla



Looks like the Wild are trying to add another top-six forward for their lineup. This is interesting news right here. I wonder what it would take to get Iggy in a Wild uniform? I would also applaud the move if it happened.
Michael Russo, Startribune – The draft is over, no player trades were made, so whether it’s Sunday or Monday, bet that Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher and coach Mike Yeo will try to get together in Minnesota with pending free agents Matt Niskanen and Thomas Vanek.

While those have been the most well-publicized names surrounding Wild interest in advance of the market opening across the NHL Tuesday, the Wild has other lines in the water, too.

The Wild has been in contact with camp, according to multiple sources. It’s unclear if the interest is mutual, but it’s definitely clear that the Wild is interested in potentially signing the future Hall of Fame winger and, ironically, all-time leader in basically every offensive category against the Wild.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Minnesota WIld: Free Agency Pondering



Michael Russo from the Startribune has some more free agent nuggets today. I love this time of year, this is where the big free agency moves happen. It will be interesting to see what the Wild do next week. I am excited about some of the names that are being thrown around.
Michael Russo, Russo’s Rants – Fletcher did set up meetings in Philadelphia with Thomas Vanek’s agent, Steve Bartlett, and Matt Niskanen’s agent, Neil Sheehy, who helped deliver Ryan Suter to the Wild in 2012. Remember, it was at the St. Paul Airport where I was hiding in the bushes behind a fence (I wish I was exaggerating) and witnessed Fletcher, Craig Leipold, Mike Yeo, Suter’s financial advisor Tom Sagissor and Sheehy get off of Leipold’s private plane after meeting with Suter in Madison.

Leipold’s plane then gave Sheehy a ride back up to International Falls and about 18 hours later on July 4, Suter and Zach Parise were officially signed on the dotted line.

Well, perhaps Sheehy will soon ink another one of his clients on the Wild.

According to sources, the Wild has significant interest in Niskanen, 27, the right-shot defenseman who had a career year in Pittsburgh. But so do other teams, so it’ll be interesting to see how high and how long the Wild’s willing to go. Remember, you can only allegedly talk in general parameters about a contract but nothing can be binding until Tuesday after 11 a.m. CT. Niskanen is 100 percent going to become a free agent.

As for Vanek, he has made big money, so the question is how much does he want to play in Minnesota. I believe the Wild would love him to sign a contract between one to three years so it can also fill two holes.
I am glad that the Minnesota Wild are looking at adding another high-end defenseman. I wrote about this subject over on the Hockey Wilderness. Matt Niskanen would really look good in a red Minnesota Wild jersey. I am sure that Running with The Dogs would love the move as well.
In my humble opinion, the Minnesota Wild are a player or two away from having a really good d-corps. If the Wild could add a high-end free agent defenseman, and delete a defenseman (or two) they could shore up their d-corps substantially. While some might

disagree with me, I think that the Wild are a bit thin on blue line, and their top-six defenders could use an upgrade.

Perusing my twitter feed, a fair number of Wild fans have suggested that the Wild forget about signing the former Golden Gopher Thomas Vanek, and attempt to sign UFA Matt Niskanen during the 2014 free agent signing period. I don't think it's bad idea at all. However, based on how the former Bulldog played this past season, he's not going to come cheap, either. In 81 games with the Pittsburg Penguins, Niskanen scored (10g-36a-46pts). He was also a plus/minus rating of plus-33.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

More on Thomas Vanek



Yesterday, Michael Russo wrote more on the possibility of the Wild signing Thomas Vanek after the July 1, free agent signing period.
Russo’s Rants – “I don’t think we have anything cast in stone come Wednesday or July 1.” Vanek scored five goals and 10 points in 17 games for Montreal in the playoffs. His ice time was limited at times and he was scrutinized, particularly in the conference finals against the Rangers.

But Vanek has 277 goals in 663 career games and the Wild finished 24th offensively last season (199 non-shootout goals). Vanek ranks eighth in the NHL in goals scored since the start of 2005-06 and his 0.42 goals per game is tied for 11th.

“I find it very hard to believe the body of work he brings to the table is going to get erased over one so-so series,” Bartlett said. “He still had a very solid season last year (27 goals, 68 points) despite all the baggage that goes with bouncing around like a yo-yo between three teams and living out of a hotel.”
I am beginning to think that Vanek needs the Wild more than they need him. The Wild aren’t going to break the bank on a 30+ year old player, they got burned with the slow footed Dany Heatley.

During the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the play of some of the younger players changed the landscape. I also think that Vanek’s play during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs might have caused his value to drop significantly. I still would like to see him as a member of the Wild.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Minnesota Wild: Is an outdoor game on the horizon in 2015-16?



Here's another little nugget from Michael Russo's article. I wonder which college hockey teams would be involved in the outdoor hockey game?
Michael Russo, Startribune – Originally, the Wild was supposed to host a stadium-series outdoor game against Dallas at Target Field. However, only San Jose will host one this season.

According to an NHL source, the Wild is at the “top of the list” for a stadium-series game and was scheduled to have a game this year. What held it up was timing and logistics, the source said. According to another source, the Wild wants to make a stadium-series game a colossal event accompanied by outdoor high school and college games.

The league, however, wanted the game to be in February, and by the time that decision was made, the local colleges had already booked their schedules for next season. In addition, Target Field was worried the game would be played too close to the 2015 Twins season and would wreak havoc on its field.

Minnesota Wild: Russo, “Fletcher shopping Brodziak, Backstrom”



This is the best news that I have heard all week. Trading goalie Niklas Backstrom would free up need roster and cap space for Darcy Kuemper who emerged as the goalie of the future. During the 2013-14 season, Kuemper had a (12-8-4, .915 SV% and a 2.37 GAA).
Michael Russo, Startribune -- Chuck Fletcher has a history of draft-day trades and spent last week working the phones.

“Everyone calls everybody,” the Wild GM said. “You don’t see a whole bunch of trades the week prior to the draft. It’s all about trying to figure out who your likely dance partners can be the week at the draft. It’ll take a move or two to get the ball rolling, and then there’s usually a domino-type effect. We’re not there yet.”

Fletcher has been shopping center Kyle Brodziak, sources say, and may be willing to retain salary and cap space to trade goalie Niklas Backstrom, who is recovering well from season-ending abdominal and hip surgeries.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

NHL Releases 2014-15 Schedule

Today, the National Hockey League released it's 2014-15 schedule. As soon as the NHL releases their television schedule, I will post some games of interest.

Perusing the schedules, I found a few items of interest. My two favorite NHL teams, the Boston Bruins and the Minnesota Wild will meet on October 28, 2014, at the TD North Garden. They two teams meet at the Xcel Energy Center on December 17,2014.

The Boston Bruins play the Winnipeg Jets on Friday November 28, 2014 at the Boston Garden. On Friday December 19, 2014 the Bruins play the Winnipeg Jets in at the MTS Centre.





The Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche kick off the regular season with a home-and-home series. This should prove to be interesting, because the Wild eliminated the Av's in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Also, this will be the first meeting between Matt Cooke and Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie. Cooke took out Barrie with a dirty leg check.


Friday, June 20, 2014

2015 NHL Winter Classic: Minnesota Wild Snubbed Again



Looks like the Minnesota Wild will be getting snubbed again for the 2015 NHL's Winter Classic. I guess by now, none of us are going to be shocked anymore, since California is getting a second outdoor game before the State of Hockey is awarded one. I wrote a similar story about this over on the Hockey Wilderness this week. I guess the Wild are high profile enough to be selected by the NHL.
Greg Wyshynski, Puck Daddy – The news was first reported by Bob McKenzie with TSN, and confirmed to Yahoo Sports by multiple sources.

It’s the second Classic for both teams – the Blackhawks faced the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field in 2009 while the Capitals played the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011. But it’ll be the third outdoor game for the Blackhawks overall, having faced the Penguins at Solider Field in the Stadium Series last season.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Islander Mussings: Vanek and Moulson

Here's something that might be of interest from the Globe and Mail. When the Minnesota Wild picked up Matt Moulson at the trade deadline, I was really excited, but after his play during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I won't be too upset if the Wild don't resign him.
Eric Duhatschek, Globe and Mail -- Okay, let’s play Islanders general manager for a while because, hey, everybody else is doing it too right? They have huge amounts of salary-cap space, so anything is possible, as long as you’re prepared to cajole players into coming. Even the guys they’ve got signed – such as John Tavares – are on reasonable deals ($5.5-million through 2017-18 – tip of the cap to Garth Snow for that one). They also have two more years of Kyle Okposo at $2.8-million. So after Thomas Vanek played so badly in Montreal and Minnesota’s interest in him is waning, why wouldn’t the Islanders circle back to Vanek and make him an offer on July 1? Bet they could outbid anybody for his services – and they might not even have to offer that seven-year, $50-million deal that he turned down. The Islanders could sign Vanek, bid for Matt Moulson (who liked it there and might consider a return, because his options might be limited as well) and bring back them both back.