The Wild will beat the Canucks tonight. That much is apparent to me now after eating some chinese food. The fortune cookie read, and I quote, "You will be greatly pleased with tonight's events."
I can only think of two things that would "greatly please" me tonight: (1) watching a televised "Little People, Big World" vs. "Jon and Kate Plus 8" cage match and (2) a Wild victory. And I just checked the T.V. Guide and #1 isn't scheduled, so that's out.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Cupboard is Bare
The Wild have a history of rushing its younger players to the NHL and I think it has really hurt them from a development standpoint. Sure, Marian Gaborik, Brent Burns and Pierre-Marc Bouchard are all examples of young players succeeding at an early stage, but in recent years it has clearly hurt the maturation and development of James Sheppard and Colton Gilles.
Gilles should have spent this entire season in AHL Houston. There he would've gotten a chance to play EVERY DAY and play big minutes every game. He would've had a chance to be a leader on that team, to skate on the first line, the power play unit and enhance his much-needed grit. But instead he's here, playing every third or fourth game, only about 12 minutes a night on the checking line. Can anyone honestly say that Colton Gilles has advanced significantly this season?
Sheppard has also taken a step back in 2008-09. After a pretty good rookie season I expected him to become this team's second line center. Nope. Only 5 goals in 75 games. Shep should've been in Houston last year and maybe in St. Paul now.
All this comes back to Risebrough. Because of years of inadequate drafts, the cupboard is bare. Sheppard and Gilles should be the highly-touted prospects in Houston, not struggling to find minutes here but they have to be here. They have to be here because players like Brian Rolston, Todd White and Willie Mitchell are not here.
Update 3-30-09: I stand corrected; Shep and Gilles couldn't have been sent to Houston because of minimum age requirements, but could've been returned to juniors. Gilles would've been better served in this manner.
Gilles should have spent this entire season in AHL Houston. There he would've gotten a chance to play EVERY DAY and play big minutes every game. He would've had a chance to be a leader on that team, to skate on the first line, the power play unit and enhance his much-needed grit. But instead he's here, playing every third or fourth game, only about 12 minutes a night on the checking line. Can anyone honestly say that Colton Gilles has advanced significantly this season?
Sheppard has also taken a step back in 2008-09. After a pretty good rookie season I expected him to become this team's second line center. Nope. Only 5 goals in 75 games. Shep should've been in Houston last year and maybe in St. Paul now.
All this comes back to Risebrough. Because of years of inadequate drafts, the cupboard is bare. Sheppard and Gilles should be the highly-touted prospects in Houston, not struggling to find minutes here but they have to be here. They have to be here because players like Brian Rolston, Todd White and Willie Mitchell are not here.
Update 3-30-09: I stand corrected; Shep and Gilles couldn't have been sent to Houston because of minimum age requirements, but could've been returned to juniors. Gilles would've been better served in this manner.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Saturday, March 07, 2009
I'm Melting!
Let me start this post by saying that I firmly believe Jacques Lemaire is a great hockey coach. His teaching methods are unparalled in the game and his passion for coaching cannot be questionned. That said, I think his time is over.
As I stated last summer, the Wild would be better off with a different coach. Lemaire's voice has lost its appeal to the team; I get the impression that some of the players these days are tuning him out and growing increasingly tired of his message. Word has gotten out around the league that he his a coach that holds his player's offensive abilities back. No big name free agents want to come here. Gaborik is leaving. It's time for a change.
None of the players would openly criticize their coach, but I bet they'll be relieved once he retires, ala the Wicked Witch of the West. Her monkey soldiers supported her through years of a staunch, strong regime, but even that grew tiresome to them. Once Dorothy had killed the Witch, the flying monkeys were ecstacic and went on to live a life free from her relentless controls. Lemaire is that witch and the Wild have become his flying monkeys. It's time for DR to melt Coach Lemaire and free the players from his defensive trappings. Yes, pun intended.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Frustrated Incorporated
I guess we should be getting used to this, but it still pains me every single fracking year. DR makes no major moves on trade deadline day. Nothing this year, nada. At least in year’s past he made a minor move or two like for Dominic Moore or Chris Simon, but not this year. Does the idea of getting something for someone who won’t be here mean anything to this organization?
Apparently they have learned absolutely nothing from watching players like Brian Rolston and Pav Demitra leave without getting anything in return. Now, again, we’ll watch players like Bergeron, Stephane and No. 10 walk out the door this summer and have nothing to show for it but a falied run to the playoffs, or if they’re lucky, an 8th seed and a first round loss to San Jose.
Sure, they stepped up and signed the goalie. No brainer, but I should give DR some credit for that. He went ahead and signed a goalie who wanted to be here to a market-value contract, Heck, I think my 9 year old son could’ve negociated that one. Anyways, good work on that one, Mr. Risebrough.
Turning to the future it’s critical that they start accumulating some assets. Younger assets. Players that develop into something. It’d be nice to have some talent on the AHL level, wouldn’t it? Here’s a good question: Who’s roster (both on the NHL and AHL level) would you rather have at this point…Los Angeles, Columbus or Minnesota? For me, I think Minny comes in 3rd in that race and that is pathetic.
Take your money to the bank or try some online betting out instead. It can be a lot more satisfying. Sports gambling can be profitable.
Apparently they have learned absolutely nothing from watching players like Brian Rolston and Pav Demitra leave without getting anything in return. Now, again, we’ll watch players like Bergeron, Stephane and No. 10 walk out the door this summer and have nothing to show for it but a falied run to the playoffs, or if they’re lucky, an 8th seed and a first round loss to San Jose.
Sure, they stepped up and signed the goalie. No brainer, but I should give DR some credit for that. He went ahead and signed a goalie who wanted to be here to a market-value contract, Heck, I think my 9 year old son could’ve negociated that one. Anyways, good work on that one, Mr. Risebrough.
Turning to the future it’s critical that they start accumulating some assets. Younger assets. Players that develop into something. It’d be nice to have some talent on the AHL level, wouldn’t it? Here’s a good question: Who’s roster (both on the NHL and AHL level) would you rather have at this point…Los Angeles, Columbus or Minnesota? For me, I think Minny comes in 3rd in that race and that is pathetic.
Take your money to the bank or try some online betting out instead. It can be a lot more satisfying. Sports gambling can be profitable.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
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