Countdown to Skoulaless

In less than 26 hours the Wild will be free of defenseman Martin Skoula. Unless DR changes his mind today, Skoula will become a free agent tomorrow morning and be able to sign with any other team. Since it's DR's policy not to sign any Wild UFAs after the July 1st deadline, it's looking very promising at this point. Tomorrow we can all rejoice!

Here's hoping the Vancouver Canucks sign him to a multi-year contract.

2:03 PM UPDATE: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Blame Michael Russo

Star Tribune beat writer Michael Russo may be partially to blame for the Wild's inability to trade goaltender Manny Fernandez, thus eliminating any thoughts the team had to signing a big free agent in the coming weeks. Russo wrote in his blog last Friday that it appeared the Wild and Bruins were close to making a deal for the goalie, but in the midst of the talks between the teams a Bruins employee approached Russo and started asking him questions about Manny's character and off-ice persona. Unfortunately for Wild fans, Russo may have told this guy the truth about Manny being a head case and a dick in the locker room.

My speculation is that this schmuck was asked by the Bruins management to find out the truth about Manny from people around the team. Said schmuck then went back to management and told them not to make the deal, that Manny was not worth the headaches. After their conversation, the Bruins suddenly cooled on the deal and began looking in other directions.

Russo should've told this guy "yes, Manny is a bit goofy, but everyone loves him for it. He's a lovable joker and a true team player. Sort of like Bill Murray with goalie pads." Boston would've then traded their 1st round pick, we would've drafted Ryan McDonagh and cleared Manny's salary from the books, enabling the team to pursue expensive free agents. Thanks alot Russo.

(yes, my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek)

DR Outsmarts the NHL Again

So the Russian stud prospect started to fall and, amazingly I started to actually believe that he might, he just might fall right into the Wild's lap at No. 19. No, stuff like this doesn't happen to this team. Picks 12 and 13 went by and my heart rate increased. Then 14 and 15 and he's still there. Unreal. What's this? Minnesota and Anaheim have flipped spots and now we hold the 16th pick! Clearly they're moving up to grab someone...who could it be? It was obvious to everyone in my basement that DR had traded up to grab Chereponov. I was giddy with joy. And then Tommy Thompson stepped up to the microphone, thanked the good people of Columbus for their great hospitality and took some big guy from BC. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? It was like the Vikings passing on Warren Sapp to take Derrick Alexander all over again. Again, DR thinks he has outsmarted everyone in hockey by passing on the obvious, no-brainer selection to take a project that may play for the big club in 2010.

Having said all that I feel a little better. The bright side is that I really know nothing about Colton Gillies, so I should probably reserve judgment for a little while, right? Who knows, maybe in 2010 our big line will be James Sheppard-Benoit Pouliot-Gillies. Then again, monkeys may fly out my butt.

First Round Hopes

Assuming they stay put at No. 19*, here are three players I wouldn't mind seeing the Wild select:

1. Ryan McDonagh (D) -- really just a pipe dream here. The St. Paul born defenseman will probably go in the neighborhood of No. 10.

2. Logan Couture (C) -- more likely to be around when the Wild pick, this guy has some real size to him, he's 6'5" tall, has big upside and can play with his back to the basket.

3. Jonathon Blum (D) -- also should be around. The Wild need to stock their system with top-end defensive prospects and he's one of them.

(*) Latest rumor was that Manny Fernandez would be gone before the night's over. Boston, Phoenix and Toronto were the rumored destinations for Manny. It's waaaay too much to hope for, but here's hoping he goes to Phoenix with the No. 19 overall for the No. 3 overall pick.

Anyone know what the href="http://www.betus.com/sports-betting/nhl-hockey/odds-lines/">hockey
odds are for tonight's games?

Quick Hit Rumors

My guys on the inside have unearthed the following juicy information:

• Eklund doesn't know jack. (E5)
• Anyone can take wild stabs in the dark and get it right sometimes (E4)
• For lunch I'm going have a turkey bacon sub (E3), taco (E3) or spaghettios (E4).
  

Big night tomorrow night for hockey fans. Later today I'll be posting my hopes and dreams for the Wild's first round pick.

Possible Branko Sighting

Yesterday was Father's Day and in celebration of the event I took my two boys to the local horse track, Canterbury Park. It was family day at Canterbury and admission for kids was free. We hit on 2 of the 3 races we bet on and used our winnings ($8.00) on ice cream.

While watching the races I took a few pictures. After reviewing the pictures later on at home I noticed I may have seen Wild Forward Branko Radivojevic. You be the judge:

Austrian Beef Train Arrives

The Wild added a very physical presence to the roster yesterday, signing 6'6" defenseman Andre Lakos to a free agent contract. Lakos will be invited to training camp and is expected to compete for a spot with the club.

Making the team shouldn't be a problem, in this writer's opinion. The Wild's defense corps isn't exactly riddled with Prongers and Niedermeyers. Outside of Johnsson, Burns and Schultz (although you'll hear me argue about that) no one's job is safe.

Why I Gotta Hate?

Did we need any more reasons to hate the Calgary Flames? Well, this should do the trick.

Zdeno

You know when you're a pretty serious hockey fan when you attend your son's soccer game and announce to the crowd of parents on the sideline that the really big kid playing defense for the other team is "The Zdeno Chara of Centerville." Everyone sort of turns around, looks at you with strange looks and then turns back to watch the game, thinking "What the hell is a Zdeno Chara and why has Devin's dad been drinking again?"

Burns v. Perry

I can't watch this video enough.

The University of Boogaard

It seems the Boogaard brothers are running a hockey fighting school.

Maybe Corey Perry should enroll.

Final Power Rankings

With the 2006-07 season conculding last night, I offer my FINAL POWER RANKINGS:

1. Anaheim Ducks -- clearly the best team in the playoffs this year. A no-brainer.

2. Minnesota Wild -- Had a terrific season only to be up-ended by the eventual cup winners in the first round. If the Wild had played in the East we might've had a 7 game finals.

3. Detroit Red Wings -- took the Ducks to 6 games before yielding.

4. Ottawa Senators -- best in the East, which isn't saying much.

5. Vancouver Canucks -- not really, just seeing if you're still paying attention.

Bosom Buddies

How awkward do they look here? Not only did Backstrom play better than Manny this year (injuries aside), he's a much snappier dresser. Only a finnish goalie (or maybe Pavol) could look good in a purple tie.

Word has it Wild management is stepping up negotiations with Niklas Backstrom, signalling the beginning of the end for Manny Fernandez. Where Manny will end up is anyone's guess, but here's hoping they're able to land a player (preferably someone with some size) instead of just a high draft pick. In Eklund-like fashion here are my chances where I'm hearing Manny ends up:

Phoenix -- 30%
Tampa -- 30%
Minny -- 15%
Montreal -- 10%
Los Angeles -- 10%
Moose Jaw -- 5%

Personally I hope they sign Backstrom to a 2 year contract for around $3m per year, trade Fernandez for a banger and have Josh Harding take over as the No. 1 goalie 2 years from now. While Harding hasn't been tested much, I've liked what I've seen so far.

Season 2 Begins

And welcome back to the show. It's been a little while since I've posted, so let me catch you up to speed. In no particular order I've been (a) watching the playoffs with a developing hatred of the Ducks (b) looking for Jacques Lemaire at local watering holes hoping to ask him about the goaltender situation and (c) eating Ukranian food. While I can't say I have a handle on my Anaheim hatred and an answer on the Wild's glut of keepers I can say I've gotten my fill of sauerkraut.

So Season 2 on WPB is off to a flying start. In the coming months look for answers about the future makeup of the team and maybe even some Eastern European cuisine.