Pretend I'm Doug

Ok, let's pretend I'm Doug Risebrough. After going to America's Best for new glasses, I'd make serious attempts to sign the following free agents:

1. Ryan Malone ~ tough nosed forward would be a perfect fit, but might be too expensive. Worth a shot at around $4.5m per year.

2. Kristian Huselius ~ he'd take the spot left by Pavol. Offer him $4.5m also.

3. Mike Commodore ~ yes, I know he's a Fighting Sioux, but sometimes we have to sleep with the enemy in order to succeed. Would add some much-needed grit to the back line. Offer $2.5m.

4. John-Michael Liles ~ a puck-moving defenseman? We haven't seen that on a regular basis since..., well since..., you get my point. $4.0m.

5. Foppa ~ just dreaming here. Throw him a $4.0m offer and see if he bites. The day this happens is the day I start learning Swedish.

Let's see what happens July 1st. My best guess is that they'll make a run at Malone, lose out because he's too expensive and they'll settle for Andrew Brunette.

The Rolston Question

It's been pretty well established lately that Brian Rolston and the Minnesota Wild will soon part ways. Depending on who you believe, Rolston's agent hasn't offered a counter proposal and/or the Wild haven't offered him market value. While I think Rolston is worth somewhere in the area of $15.0m over 3 years, something tells me his agent is looking for something around $6.0 per year. Is he worth that?

In my opinion, he isn't. He's a 30 goal scorer who plays in all situations. Not a superstar, but a team leader and all around good player. But the bigger issue is whether or not you can find a suitable replacement. Looking at the UFA list I don't see any good values there for Rolston-like money. Based on the lack of good alternatives, I think I'd overpay him just to keep him around. It reminds me a bit of the last Brad Radke negotiations with the Twins. Was Radke the ace of the staff? Clearly no, but you had to keep him in order to keep your team relevant. Brian Rolston is the Brad Radke of the Wild and, as much as it pains me to say it, I would overpay him to keep him in Red and Green.

Risebrough's New Look

Is it just me or does DR look like the cheerleader's dad in "Heroes"? It must be the new glasses.

Yet Another Reason

Honestly, I don't try to hate the Vancouver Canucks. Really, I don't. But when Marcus "Overrated" Naslund starts taking Minnesota Wild forward Pavol Demitra for tours of Vancouver in June I start to get angry. July 1st. July f-in 1st, people. A team cannot court another team's pending UFA until after July the first, but why was a Canuck employee taking a Wild player for tours of the picturesque Canadian city? Maybe they were just hanging out. Maybe it's just a coincidence that the new Canucks GM is a former agent of Pavol's. And why isn't anyone talking about this? It's tampering, pure and simple, and the Canucks should be barred from signing Demitra in the upcoming free agent signing period.

Now, sure, some will argue that Minnesota doesn't intend to re-sign the forward. And some might even argue that Naslund and Demitra were just looking at homes in Vancouver on a special celebrity version of HGTV's "Househunters". Does it matter? Hell yes it matters; the NHL has these rules for reasons and Vancouver has clearly shown that it doesn't care what the rules are.

Just wait until July 1st. Let me enjoy Pavol on the Wild for a few more weeks. But no, they couldn't wait and they should be punished for it. Honestly, I don't wake up in the morning wanting to dislike Vancouver, but by God they sure make it easy to.

The Eero Elo Era Begins

Ok, all sarcasm aside, I'm happy with the team's first round pick, Tyler Cuma. All reports seem to indicate he's a good defensive prospect, something this team is lacking. For me, the funniest and most satisfying part of the draft came when the Garth Snow-led New York Islanders took Gopher-recruit Aaron Ness. Gopher Nation is in panic mode right now about their incoming superstar and his one-and-done probability now. Get a good look at Ness now, gopher fans, because he won't be back for a sophomore season.

The only aspect that mildly disappointed me was that the Wild didn't pick a goaltender. Backstrom has a few years left in him, Harding's the future, but it'd be nice to start developing a future stud. Personally I was hoping for the Finnish kid, Harri Sateri, but oh well.

Now it's time to sign Rolston and Bouchard. If nothing can be worked out soon, DR had better have a back-up plan, maybe somebody with the initials M.H.

Could It Be?

DR making a major move? When pigs fly. Don't get your hopes up.

5 Questions w/ Mike Russo

For this week's edition, I asked 5 questions of Star-Tribune hockey guru Mike Russo:

1. Rolston, Demitra or PMB? "Bouchard because of age, skill and potential asset (trade value)."

2. Best place in an arena to watch a hockey game? "Corners".

3. Favorite NHL uniform? "San Jose".

4. Guilty TV pleasure? "World Poker Tour on Travel Channel, Airline on A&E, Family Guy and Curb"

5. Favorite non-hockey sport? "baseball".

Unless I can dig up another top-notch celebrity, next week's 5 Questions will be answered by a neighbor of mine who only watches a little hockey but sure can mow a nice lawn.

Goodbye Radio

Branko Radivojevic is gone. The winger signed to play in the Russian Premier League for next season after he completes a lengthy rehab on his knee. Although he never quite emerged into the power forward they were seeking, Radio had plenty of good moments for the Wild. My favorite Radio moment came on a Gaborik-Demitra-Radio three on one, with Marian and Pavol playing catch with each other while Radio stood by the empty net. Gaborik eventually scored and Radio looked like the kid who got picked last for kickball. Pass it to me guys! Good luck, Radio, you'll be missed.

Where to Sit

For me it's been a long overdue move, but I've recently decided to become a season ticket holder for the UMD men's hockey team. With the new rink coming in a few years I thought it'd be a smart decision to purchase them now before the bandwagon jumpers come aboard once this team starts winning again. But my problem now is I have to decide where the best spot to sit would be. On ice level next to the glass? On the red line up a few rows? It seems like knowledgeable hockey wonks like best to sit up high in the corners, so they can see plays develop. As it stands now I'm leaning to purchasing seats right next to the visitor's bench so I can proudly wear and market my "Fire Doug Woog" shirt collection.