Linkorama...

Brad Ragen the Wild Blogger from Hockey Buzz had this blog post about Russo's appearance on KFAN and discussing the Marian Gaborik situation. I wonder if other Wild Fans are getting tired of this whole drill? Either sign Gabby or ask to be traded. I think that he is are beginning to portray himself the spoiled selfish athlete.

One has to wounder if Gabby is waiting to see if this is going to be Lemaire's
last season or not. Come on Lemaire you don't need the money, you can go ahead and retire.

Gaborik's agent, Ron Salcer, has a history of ground breaking contracts in the NHL;

-to keep Gaborik, the Wild will have to seriously overpay him;

-he believes the offer the Wild have made to Gaborik is somewhere in the $8.5 million per year range;

-he does not believe this is about Gaborik not wanting to play in Minnesota as he believes that there is a good chance that this is Lemaire's last year and any contract that Gaborik signs with the Wild would go well beyond Lemaire's anticipated tenure;

-it may be hard to move Gaborik right now given each team's cap space or lack thereof. The longer the Wild wait to move him, the more teams that can afford him, but it comes with serious risk in the event that Gaborik gets injured and can't be moved prior to the trade deadline;

A couple of former Gophers are now Bruins

When the Bruins and the Wild play on Saturday at Xcel Energy Center in the Wild’s season opener there will be two former Gophers in the Bruin's line up. Phil Kessel and Blake Wheeler. It will be interesting to see how the two are recieved by the Minnesota crowd.

Chicago mussings

Young guns Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane took the hockey world by storm last season but now will probably feel more pressure as the fans and the city of Chicago will expect more from the dynamic NHL sophmores. Look for the Chicago Blackhawks to be much better this season.

TSN.CA STAFF 10/8/2008 --- The One year ago, the Chicago Blackhawks were a struggling franchise with the second lowest attendance figures in the entire National Hockey League, averaging less than 13,00 fans. And with little to no exposure on television is recent years, the fanbase was eroding.

But last season, super rookies Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane breathed new life into the franchise and things are looking up in the Windy City.

Toews and Kane have the hockey world by the tail. They're on the top line and the first-unit power play and in charge of a team that looks to be making a major comeback after years on the scrap heap.

"Coming into last year, there weren't really any expectations," said Kane. "Maybe the expectations were for myself and Jon to do well and try to bring this team back and it's amazing what can happen in one year."

Kane scored 21 goals and added 51 assists for 72 points in 82 games and was rewarded with the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year.

But now that the Blackhawks appear to be a team on the rise, the expectations become higher and the pressure increases.

Talk about a couple of morons, Ben Eager was suspended for three games for trying to intentionally injure NHL bad boy Sean Avery. First thing I would have told the guys is, its a preseason game. Now Eager has to miss the first three games of the season.

TSN.CA STAFF--- Chicago Blackhawks left wing Ben Eager has been suspended for three games, without pay, as a result of being assessed a match penalty during a game against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

As a result, Eager will forfeit $9,677.43 with the money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Interesting question

I saw this over on Puckdaddy and that is the $64,000.00 question. Why is Martin Skoula still a member of the Minnesota Wild. I am sure many Wild fans like myself are asking the same question, how did this guy make it through the offseason? It has me scratching my head. Think of the salary cap they could free up by giving Skoula his walking papers, maybe the Wild could get another experienced center ice man.

Any one who watched the Wild last season knows that Martin Skoula is brutal on defense, just go over to youtube and I am sure you can find a few of his documented blunders. Also, Skoula is being is being paid a lot of money to add little in the way of offensive points and isn't very good on the blue line. Lets just say Skoula is pylon and is a defensive liability on a defensive minded team, that shouldn't bode well for him.

Minnesota Wild - Why is Martin Skoula on our roster?

Not sound harsh or anything, but Skoula was a -16 in the regular season last year and hasn't had more than 16 points since 2002-2003.

Sure, there are other questions that could be asked here. But every time I watch a Wild game, I chuckle when this guy is on the ice.

No Sioux on the hot list.

Gandalf The Red from Sixty Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets had a blog post that linked a story from the Hockey News on what college hockey players are on the hot list, sorry Sioux fans none of our recruits or current players made the list but that was to be expected. This list doesn't always guarantee future success either. Also this list is not to be confused with the hot or not list. :) Sorry Amy I couldn't help myself.

While it is no mystery or secret to anyone that the CHL produces a lot of NHL talent and players, college hockey has done pretty good for themselves as of late. This is an impressive list of players. How abou the Badgers on defense? It isn't going to matter who plays net for them, that is going to be an impressive group for a few years to come; Justin Schultz, Patrick Wiercioch, Cody Goloubef, Jamie McBain, Ryan McDonagh, Jake Gardiner and Patrick Wiercioch.

The pending $64000.00 question of this up coming season will be whether Colin Wilson plays with the BU terriers and if Zac Dalpe plays for tOSU Buckeyes. My money says that Wilson will be wearing that God awful Jersey of the Nashville Predators. Stay tuned folks.

1. Colin Wilson, C – Boston University Terriers (Hockey East): As the son of an NHLer, Wilson had a good model in preparing for a career in elite hockey.

“My dad told me you have to be physically ready at 14,” said Colin, channeling the advice he received from his father, Carey, who played for the Flames, Whalers and Rangers.

With that in mind, Colin hit the gym early and often as a teen and the results were reflected in his selection seventh overall by Nashville at the NHL draft this year.

“I can be a first- or second-line center,” Wilson noted. “But I can also work as a third- or fourth-liner, that’s why I think they took me.”

That and a heap of skill, of course. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Terrier notched 35 points in 37 games as a freshman at B.U. and will likely return to improve on that mark next season.

Joining Wilson is a murderer’s row of future NHL talent, including fellow 2008 draftees Corey Trivino, David Warsofsky and Grant Rollheiser. Wilson will also faceoff against workout buddy and Boston College Eagles recruit Jimmy Hayes. So is fraternizing with the enemy going to end?

“When I’m with my buddies, we’re really tight, so we can do things like that,” Wilson said. “But it’ll be fun playing against him – B.U. and B.C. for the Beanpot (tournament trophy).”

One thing is for sure, there won’t be many Eagles having fun when they face the tenacious Wilson.

Drafted seventh overall by Nashville in 2008.

2. James van Riemsdyk, LW – New Hampshire Wildcats (Hockey East): The players drafted around him – Patrick Kane and Kyle Turris – both saw NHL action this season, but that’s no reason to believe JVR won’t be joining them one day; his Flyers team just had a bit more depth to rely on. In the meantime, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound left winger will continue to hone his game in New Hampshire, where he put up 34 points in 31 games as a freshman. Drafted second overall by Philadelphia in 2007.

3. Richard Bachman, G – Colorado College Tigers (WCHA): So what exactly will this kid do for an encore? Bachman was lightning in net for the Tigers this season, posting the best record in the conference (.729 winning percentage) and the second-best goals-against average (1.85) and save percentage (.931). The next and only mission is a Frozen Four title. Drafted 120th overall by Dallas in 2006.

4. Max Pacioretty, LW – Michigan Wolverines (CCHA): With his former linemates Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik off to Phoenix (well, more likely San Antonio) next year, Pacioretty will have to continue his good work in Ann Arbor if the Wolverines are to remain the cream of the CCHA crop. After earning 39 points in 37 games as a frosh, Pacioretty should be up to the task. Drafted 22nd overall by Montreal in 2007.

5. Patrick Wiercioch, D – Wisconsin Badgers (WCHA): Like Wilson, Wiercioch will be surrounded by talent next year, especially by his fellow blueliners. Along with Wiercioch, who had a breakout playoffs with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers this year, the Badgers will line up NHL picks Jamie McBain, Cody Goloubef, Ryan McDonagh and Jake Gardiner. Drafted 42nd overall by Ottawa in 2008.

6. Corey Trivino, C – Boston University Terriers (Hockey East): Trivino raised his profile at the Under-18s, where he was a point-a-game player for the gold-medal winning Canadians. He’ll once again get a shot to shine next year, moving his superior playmaking game to Boston. Drafted 36th overall by the New York Islanders in 2008.

7. Daultan Leveille, C – Michigan State Spartans (CCHA): Everyone’s favorite out-of-nowhere draft pick, Leveille rode his otherworldly speed to a first round selection this year and will showcase said skating wizardry in East Lansing next fall. Drafted 29th overall by Atlanta in 2008.

8. Joe Colborne, C – Denver Pioneers (WCHA): The potential for dominance is why Colborne will be well served by a couple of seasons with the Pios. The 6-foot-5 lad is growing into his power forward frame and learning under coach George Gwozdecky will be a boon to Colborne’s development. Drafted 16th overall by Boston in 2008.

9. Aaron Ness, D – Minnesota Golden Gophers (WCHA) : Slick blueliner Ness will take his game to the big stage in Minnesota next season, where his offensive gifts and hockey IQ will be a great asset to the always dangerous Gophers. Drafted 40th overall by the New York Islanders in 2008.

10. Zac Dalpe, RW – Ohio State Buckeyes (CCHA) : Though Dalpe seemed really amped about going to OSU, rumblings are still out there that he could bolt for Plymouth of the Ontario League. For the Buckeye’s sake, let’s hope it’s all bluster, because Dalpe has a boatload of skill. Drafted 45th overall by Carolina in 2008.