Hockey Buzz: Is Thomas Vanek Minnesota Bound?

Minnesota Wild (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I found this article over on Hockey Buzz. I wonder if this unconfirmed rumor is an e3 or an e5? Look, I like many Wild fans would like to see this happen, but you have to consider the source. If the news pertains to the Wild and it doesn’t come from Michael Russo, I am going to be skeptical.

Josh Rimer, Hockey Buzz -- Last night a solid source informed me that If Thomas Vanek is moved prior to the Trade Deadline, his destination of choice would be Minnesota Wild. Fitting since he played for the Gophers in 2004, Vanek has had his off-season home in Minneapolis and trains in Edina, Minnesota. His wife is from Minnesota and he has always wanted to play in Minny, especially having good friend Jason Pominville there increases his desire to be there.

Related articles

• Reiterating the Case for Thomas Vanek to the Wild (hockeywilderness.com)
• Feeling Minnesota: Why not Phil Kessel? (hockeywilderness.com)
• Vanek Keeping Options Open Entering Camp (wkbw.com)
• Rumors: Vanek hasn't asked Sabres for a trade (cbssports.com)

Minnesota Wild: Tuesday at the Links

The NHL and college hockey season is right around the corner.

Via Puck Daddy

Minnesota Wild: If he hits UFA status, should the Wild try to acquire Phil Kessel? Oh I don't know he's probably one of the world's premier goalscoring right wings so I guess they probably shouldn't because who likes guys who can score goals not me and definitely not Toronto and definitely definitely not Minnesota.

Russo's Rants: Pominville extension talks going "back and forth"

Globe and Mail: Contract talks with Sedin brothers could be complicated

Russo's Rants: Wild unveils new white road jersey

Hockey Wilderness: Feeling Minnesota: Why not Phil Kessel?

NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League

Globe and Mail: Campaign against bear hunt catches NHL blueliner in graphic film

Wild Hockey: Would the Wild go after the Leafs Phil Kessel?

Last week over on the Hockey Wilderness, I touched on the subject about the possibility of the NHL’s salary cap moving to $80 Million, over the next four years. One of the big-time free agents that’s going to come available is Phil Kessel, Toronto might be willing to let him go. I am just throwing it out there, I wonder if the Wild management would consider taking a run at Kessel

A dynamic player like Kessel might fit into the Wild’s offensively challenged offense, and he could give the offensive spark that the Wild are begging for.

Currently, Kessel is in the last year of a five-year deal that is paying him $ 5.4 Million dollars a year. Based on his play during the last three seasons, you have to think that he’s going to be worth more. I am betting he’s going to command 6-7 million.

The Leafs might be ready to part with Kessel because they might not have a lot of salary room left. Here’s the deal, the Toronto Maple leafs have $19.5 million wrapped up annually in David Clarkson, Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul until the 2018 season. Now, Kessel is on record as saying that he would like to stay in Toronto.

“Phil (Kessel) is still a really young man,” Arnott told the SportsNet Fan590. “He really enjoys living in Toronto and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“This young man lives and breathes hockey. He was very excited to come here four years ago. I think if you asked Phil today, he’d love to finish his career here in Toronto. But it’s still young in his career right now.”

So, anything could be possible. Again, with the salary cap possibly moving to $80 Million dollars, there could be a lot of money being thrown around.

Minnesota Wild depth chart

Michael Russo of the Star and Tribune has the depth chart posted on Russo's Rants and apparently this this team that the Minnesota Wild are going to go forward with. Looks like a decent lineup.

WILD GM: Core in place

I have been on record to saying this when it comes to the Minnesota Wild. In my opinion, the Minnesota Wild are "very" close to being a very good hockey team for a very long time, based on the make-up of their current roster and the young players that the Wild have in their farm system. I don't think it's a stretch to say that they could be a Stanley Cup contender with the right mix of players. A player like Thomas Vanek would put the Minnesota Wild over the top and to the next level.

The GM of the Minnesota Wild had this to say about his hockey team.

"We were fortunate to sign both Zach and Ryan," Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "Looking back now, in hindsight with a year removed, I can't even say how lucky we are that we did sign them. You hear horror stories of all these big free-agent signings that don't pan out, and we signed arguably the best defenseman in the League and one of the best goal scorers in the League. Both players lived up to expectations. They're great people."

The Wild's return to the postseason was short-lived. Minnesota was ousted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Quarterfinals in five games, scoring seven goals. The team obviously was frustrated, but the emergence of defenseman and forwards Charlie Coyle and Jason Zucker has everyone within the organization excited about what lies ahead.

" Fletcher said. "We have a good mix of veteran players and young players up front. We like our defense with the addition of Ballard. Certainly, with Nik Backstrom and Josh Harding and the emergence of Darcy Kuemper last year, we like our depth in goal. Every team could always use upgrades, but right now we're really happy with where we're at. There will be some good competition in camp and we're excited to see where some of our young players will sort out." [Brian Compton - NHL.com ]

The Wild if they get the right breaks and some players develop I think they could, this could be a breakout season for the Minnesota Wild. Young players like Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund. I have to say that I am excited for the season to start.

Shooter Strikes Again: Don’t Count on the Wild Going Anywhere Except the WCF

Yesterday, there was a blog post over on Kukla's Korner that caused quite a stir. The post was basically a hook, line and sinker post about a newspaper article that Charlie Walters aka “Shooter” wrote in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press.

The article is still causing some blow back to day on twitter today. Check out Bruce Ciskie's twitter feed for the fire works.

Apparently, the story in question just keeps disappearing, or someone at the Pioneer Press edited the story after it created an unneeded fire storm. Why? Because there is no actual evidence provided in that story at all, sure anyone can say that the Wild are moving, but you might want to actually prove that you have some hard evidence in your article in question before you submit it, or at least ask someone other than a little blue bird. Like most of us suspected, Shooter put an article in the paper and it wasn’t based in any fact what-so-ever, probably got called on it and took it down or the paper took it down.

Former Editor B.Reynolds, who’s decided to retire from hockey blogging and move off of the Minnesota Wilderness beat, came out of his self-imposed retirement to respond to this fallacious rumor.

Shooter: Wild could leave Minnesota?

Over on Kukla’s Korner, there was a blog post this morning making reference to a report that the Minnesota Wild could be leaving Minnesota. Of course, the story was written by Charley Walters, aka. Shooter. If you go to the story, it appears to that the article has already been edited, because if you go the link you will not see the article text that is mention in this blog post... WTF? Hum, interesting.

Reports are out that the Minnesota Wild have recorded a $30 Million loss this past season; according to Charley Walters of TwinCities.com out of St. Paul.

Is the State of Hockey at risk of losing their second National Hockey League Franchise?

It has been 20 years, nearly to the day, that the Minnesota North Stars packed up and moved to the sunbelt and became the Dallas Stars; and low attendance and lost revenue during seasons where the team did not play up to the standards of their fan base.

The NHL granted Minnesota the Wild in the 2000-01 Season (though announced back in 1997 that the team would be part of the expansion); and after finally making the playoffs this season after not qualifying for the past four seasons. The lockout may be in part to blame for the $30 Million loss this past season. If the season had started on time than there would have been more revenue generated – but also more money paid out to employees’ and game day crew. Another hit to the books for the Wild would be the $10 Million bonuses’ for each Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The two big ticket UFA’s from last summer where each awarded a lockout proof bonus.

A short term financial fall has hit the State of Hockey: the questions that remain to be answered is if it is just a case of spending money to make money or if this hit is just the start of a financial mess with economic down times across the country? or may Minnesota lose another NHL franchise in the coming years? Time can only reveal the answers to these questions.

Men's National Team Orientation Camp Roster Set

The Minnesota Wild have landed two of their star players (Zach Parise and Ryan Suter) on the U.S. Men's National Team Orientation Camp roster, The orientation camp will take place from Aug. 26-27, at Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Arlington, Va. If you look at the roster you will see a good number of players on team USA played Division I College Hockey. 

Also, there are two former Fighting Sioux forwards on the U.S. Men's National Team Orientation Camp roster in Zach Parise and T.J. Oshie. 

GOALTENDERS

Name	Height	Weight	Date of Birth	Shoots	Hometown	Current Team
Craig Anderson	6-2 (188)	180 (82)	1981-05-21	L	Park Ridge, Ill.	Ottawa Senators (NHL)
John Gibson	6-3 (191)	209 (95)	1993-07-14	L	Pittsburgh, Pa.	Norfolk Admirals (AHL)
Jimmy Howard	6-0 (183)	218 (99)	1984-03-26	L	Syracuse, N.Y.	Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Ryan Miller	6-2 (188)	175 (79)	1980-07-17	L	East Lansing, Mich.	Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Jonathan Quick	6-1 (185)	218 (99)	1986-01-21	L	Milford, Conn.	Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Cory Schneider	6-2 (188)	195 (88)	1986-03-18	L	Marblehead, Mass.	New Jersey Devils (NHL)

DEFENSEMEN

Name	Height	Weight	Date of Birth	Shoots	Hometown	Current Team
Zach Bogosian	6-3 (191)	215 (98)	1990-07-15	R	Massena, N.Y.	Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Dustin Byfuglien	6-5 (198)	265 (120)	1985-03-27	R	Roseau, Minn.	Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
John Carlson	6-3 (191)	212 (96)	1990-01-10	R	Colonia, N.J.	Washington Capitals (NHL)
Dan DeKeyser	6-3 (191)	198 (90)	1990-03-07	L	Clay Township, Mich.	Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Justin Faulk	6-0 (183)	215 (98)	1992-03-20	R	South St. Paul, Minn.	Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Cam Fowler	6-1 (185)	196 (89)	1991-03-05	L	Farmington Hills, Mich.	Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Jake Gardiner	6-2 (188)	184 (83)	1990-07-04	L	Minnetonka, Minn.	Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Erik Johnson	6-4 (195)	232 (105)	1988-03-21	R	Bloomington, Minn.	Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Jack Johnson	6-1 (185)	231 (105)	1987-01-13	L	Ann Arbor, Mich.	Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Seth Jones	6-4 (195)	206 (93)	1994-10-03	R	Plano, Texas	Nashville Predators (NHL)
Nick Leddy	6-0 (183)	191 (87)	1991-03-20	L	Eden Prairie, Minn.	Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Paul Martin	6-1 (185)	200 (91)	1981-03-05	L	Minneapolis, Minn.	Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Ryan McDonagh	6-1 (185)	213 (97)	1989-06-13	L	St. Paul, Minn.	New York Rangers (NHL)
Brooks Orpik	6-2 (188)	219 (99)	1980-09-26	L	San Francisco, Calif.	Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Kevin Shattenkirk	5-11 (180)	207 (94)	1989-01-29	R	Greenwich, Conn.	St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Ryan Suter	6-1 (185)	198 (90)	1985-01-21	L	Madison, Wis.	Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Jacob Trouba	6-1 (185)	196 (89)	1994-02-26	R	Rochester, Mich.	Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Keith Yandle	6-1 (185)	190 (86)	1986-09-09	L	Boston, Mass.	Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)

FORWARDS

Name	Height	Weight	Date of Birth	Shoots	Hometown	Current Team
Justin Abdelkader	6-1 (185)	219 (99)	1987-02-25	L	Muskegon, Mich.	Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
David Backes	6-3 (191)	221 (100)	1984-05-01	R	Minneapolis, Minn.	St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Beau Bennett	6-2 (188)	207 (94)	1991-11-27	R	Gardena, Calif.	Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Nick Bjugstad	6-6 (198)	215 (98)	1992-07-17	R	Minneapolis, Minn.	Florida Panthers (NHL)
Dustin Brown	6-0 (183)	212 (96)	1984-11-04	L	Ithaca, N.Y.	Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Ryan Callahan	5-11 (180)	180 (82)	1985-03-21	R	Rochester, N.Y.	New York Rangers (NHL)
Alex Galchenyuk	6-1 (185)	196 (89)	1994-02-12	L	Milwaukee, Wis.	Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Patrick Kane	5-11 (180)	181 (82)	1988-11-19	L	Buffalo, N.Y.	Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Ryan Kesler	6-2 (188)	202 (92)	1984-08-31	R	Livonia, Mich.	Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Phil Kessel	6-0 (183)	202 (92)	1987-10-02	R	Madison, Wis.	Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Trevor Lewis	6-1 (185)	199 (90)	1987-01-08	R	Salt Lake City, Utah	Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Kyle Okposo	6-0 (183)	212 (96)	1988-03-16	R	St. Paul, Minn.	New York Islanders (NHL)
T.J. Oshie	5-11 (180)	189 (86)	1986-12-23	R	Warroad, Minn.	St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Max Pacioretty	6-2 (188)	219 (99)	1988-11-20	L	New Canaan, Conn.	Montreal Canadiens (NHL)
Kyle Palmieri	5-11 (180)	197 (90)	1991-02-01	R	Smithtown, N.Y.	Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Zach Parise	5-11 (180)	190 (86)	1984-07-28	L	Minneapolis, Minn.	Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Joe Pavelski	5-11 (180)	190 (86)	1984-07-11	R	Plover, Wis.	San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Bobby Ryan	6-2 (188)	200 (91)	1987-03-17	R	Cherry Hills, N.J.	Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Brandon Saad	6-1 (185)	202 (92)	1992-10-27	L	Gibsonia, Pa.	Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Craig Smith	6-1 (185)	202 (92)	1989-09-05	R	Madison, Wis.	Nashville Predators (NHL)
Paul Stastny	6-0 (183)	205 (93)	1985-12-27	L	St. Louis, Mo.	Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Derek Stepan	6-0 (183)	196 (90)	1990-06-18	R	Hastings, Minn.	New York Rangers (NHL)
James van Riemsdyk	6-3 (191)	200 (91)	1989-05-04	L	Middletown, N.J.	Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Blake Wheeler	6-5 (198)	205 (93)	1986-08-31	R	Robbinsdale, Minn.	Winnipeg Jets (NHL)