So now we are to believe the Wild like college kids?

When I was reading Wild blogger Mike Russo's blog post today this part of article really jumped out at me. It's no mystery that Wild general manager Doug Risebrough doesn't like college hockey players very much, if he did he would have more of them on his roster. Seriously! If Doug Risebrough really like ex-college hockey players why aren't there more ex-college hockey players on the Wild roster? While the Wild have 15 ex-collegiate hockey players on their farm club none of them are on the fast track to playing for the big club.

I think this is a legitimate question since there are many opportunities to get a good look at college hockey players living in the state of hockey. The Minnesota Wild have one collegiate hockey player on their team John Scott and he is from Edmonton Alberta, also the Wild have one American on their team Dan Fritsche who played his amateur hockey in the OHL and he is going to be a career third or fourth line player. I love the Minnesota Wild but Risebrough is doing a horrible job managing this franchise.

Also ran into Canucks bruiser Darcy Hordichuk, and he interviewed me rather than vice versa regarding a 6-foot-8 former Michigan Tech (who says the Wild dislikes college kids?) dude named John Scott. Apparently Hordichuk’s thinking he may need to “go” with the towering blue-liner, and by “go,” I mean fight if you catch my drift.

I talked to Scott a lot this morning about his fighting. He openly says that he’s a “bad fighter,” and it’s something he might need to address this summer by taking boxing lessons. Being a college kid, he never had to fight. He openly admits he hates fighting but knows at 6-8, it’s something he’s going to have to do if he’s going to be a regular in this league.
(read the whole blog here)

Houston Aeros roster 2008-2009.
Nolan Schaefer Providence College
Krys Kolanos, Boston College
Marco Rosa, Merrimack college
Brandon Rogers, Michigan
Danny Irmen, Minnesota
Jason Deitsch, St Norbert College
Bryan Lundbohm, North Dakota
Robbie Earl, Wisconsin
Jason Ryznar, Michigan
Mike Hamilton, Maine
Jon Insana, Michigan State
Tony Hrkac, North Dakota
John Adams, Boston College
Ryan Lang, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fire Doug Risebrough NOW!!!

I have had it. As a fan of the Wild I am disgusted as I watched Wild GM Doug Risebrough screw up another trade deadline and picked up nobody. This time the Wild didn't even go for a rent a player like Chris Simon. (click here for the article)

Risebrough said it was quiet for him all day. The team maintains that it will not trade its core players like Mikko Koivu and Brent Burns or its young talent like James Sheppard, Colton Gillies and Tyler Cuma.

Wow, James Sheppard has scored a grand total of 8 goals in two NHL seasons. Colton Gilies is lighting up the league as well scoring a grand total of 6 points. Tyler Cuma isn't even in the NHL yet he is in the OHL and has been hurt most of the year. Tyler Cuma has played 21 games scoring 1 goal and 8 assist for 9 points. Obviously Koivu and Burns are the future of the Wild. That being said if you can trade the current nobodies on the Wild to get players that will make an immediate impact on the Wild you have to pull the trigger and inactivity is unacceptable. Earlier this summer the Wild had a chance to get Olli Jokinen but Doug Riesbrough didn't want to give up Pierre-Marc Bouchard and James Sheppard. Are you kidding me? I would have made the deal in a heart beat. Bouchard is a soft perimeter player that has scored 14 goals 26 assists for 40 points. I can only dream how Olli Jokinen would thrive in system with fellow Finlanders Mikko Koivu and Antti Miettinen.

Here is the petition to sign agreeing with the fact that Doug Risebrough neeeds to be fired! (click here)

Gaborik ready to play soon.

If you read the Star and Tribune today you will see that Marian Gaborik skated with the team for the first time since October 30th. Here is the video. Lets hope that the often injured super star can get himself in game shape soon so he can join Wild line up. The Wild are in dire need of his offense skills soon, and he could add a spark to the line up. Lets hope Gabby can stay healthy so the Wild can either sign him to a contract or get something of value in return for him. It will be interesting to see what the Wild can get via a trade if Gaborik decided that he wants to test the free agent market.

Check out Rolston's goal against Giguere

I think this is one of best shots of the season, noticed I didn't say great move of the year because you can't top this. Former LSSU star and current Wild Forward Brian Rolston tees up one hell of a laser and Giggy get out of the way. Nice. Rolston is getting hot at the right time.

Gabby and Lemaire dust up?

I was listening to Dan Barreiro's show on pod cast today; Barreiro was talking about the dust up between Wild Star Marian Gaborik and Hall of Fame Coach Jacques Lemaire. In this week’s Minneapolis Star and Tribune Wild Coach Jacques Lemaire called Gabby out challenging him to work harder. I think it is about time Lemaire called out more of his star players. In fact it is long over due. While it is no doubt that Marian Gaborik is a dynamic offensive hockey player I believe Gaborik needs to take his play up a notch in the defensive zone, especially playing for the defensive minded Jacques Lemaire.

After watching the Wild’s horrible effort the last couple of games it would appear that the Wild are going to struggle to make the playoffs this season unless something changes. The Minnesota Wild can not be the good teams in the Western Conference. I might argue that if the Wild manage to make the NHL playoffs it will be another one and done playoff series, like last year when they were beat by a bigger and tougher team the Ducks.

That being said; I also believe that Gaborik’s play isn’t the only problem the Wild are facing. There are other issues on this team that need to be addressed as well. Contrary to the belief of some the Minnesota Wild Management the Minnesota Wild are not a very deep and talented team. The Wild lack top line players need to get over the top, after Gaborik, Demtra and Rolston there is a huge drop off in talent especially with one of their top forwards being hurt. It is no mystery that the Wild are hurting offensively from the absence of forward Mikko Koivu who has missed 22 games due to the broken leg. I believe the Wild are in need of a shake up. They Wild just aren’t getting it done

DALLAS - This is becoming an almost daily occurrence. Monday morning, before the Wild played the Dallas Stars and two days after Marian Gaborik was a minus-3 in Nashville, coach Jacques Lemaire implored him to "work harder."

"The skilled players, sometimes they want to use only their skills," Lemaire said. "But in today's game, the guys are too good, they work too hard. It's not only your skill that's important. You have to work with that skill. And work and work and work harder.

"Gabby's working, but it's not hard enough -- plain and simple. It's got to be harder. He does that, you add his talent, he's going to have a better chance of success."

Before Monday, in the seven games since Gaborik's five-goal game against the Rangers, he scored three goals, three assists and was a minus-8. In three of the past six games, Gaborik's ice time had been reduced -- 15 minutes, 39 seconds at Dallas, 14:28 against San Jose and 14:39 in Nashville. Lemaire said he played less than that.

"He played less than the other two because I wasn't satisfied the way he played," Lemaire said.

Friction is clearly building between Lemaire and Gaborik. Asked about Lemaire's assertion that his work ethic must improve, Gaborik said: "You want to play more than you're playing. It's up to them. I try to go out and play my best games. Sometimes, it just doesn't work. There's 82 games. Sometimes you don't feel as good. Sometimes, of course, there can be a little more effort.

Aaron Voros pounds Jiri Novotny

This is a sweet bone crushing hit and I am not sure why the Blue Jackets playes were getting upset about it, because it is not a dirty hit. I could see this reaction if the hit was dirty. This just proves why you need to keep your head up and on a swivel at all times when your on the ice. Novotny gets planted as Voros keeps his elbows down. From the video it is very apparent that Voros doesn't take more than three steps, he just came from the penalty box so it is definately not charging. If anything Novotny is guilty of skating with his head down; a Cardinal sin. As a player you have to be aware of where you are at all times on the ice.

FSN Fails to Show the Wild Game

Wild Game Missing on the TV Dial

Last night I was waiting to watch the Minnesota Wild against the Anaheim Ducks. So I turn to television to FSN at 9:30 pm and to my amazement I see that the Twins game is still on. Ok, I am sure as soon as the game is over FSN will switch over the Wild and Ducks. So I was wrong.

In a game that no one saw on Television the Ducks beat the Wild 2-1.

Here are some Highlights to the game no one saw out side of MPLS

Sour grapes by the homer Anaheim announcers, the play was close to being offsides but wasn't in my opinion.

Gaborik Nominated For Bill Masterton Trophy

Marian Gaborik was named the Minnesota' Wild's nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, given to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The Twin Cities chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) announced today the nomination of Minnesota Wild right wing Marian Gaborik for the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The award is presented annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Gaborik, 25 (2/24/82), has recorded 51 points (28-23=51) in 44 games and ranks first on the team with seven GWGs, second in goals, tied for fourth with a +9 rating and fifth in scoring despite missing 34 games due to a serious groin injury suffered Oct. 20 at Anaheim. His hard work and dedication to treating the injury allowed Gaborik to return to the lineup Jan. 6 and help lead the Wild to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. Minnesota is 18-1-2 in games he has scored a goal this season and 30-8-6 in contests he has played in. The Trencin, Slovakia-native has not gone more than three straight games without a point since a four-game pointless streak Jan. 16-21, 2004. Gaborik was the Wild’s first-ever pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft (third overall) and is the team’s all-time leader scorer with 325 points (162-163=325) in 404 games.

A nice honor for a dynamic player. It's obvious from watching the Wild this past season when Gabby is in the line the Wild have a great chance of winning the game. When he was hurt the Wild struggled with their team indentity. Good to see him get noticed for his efforts on the ice.