Agreed. I was a bit surprised that his helmet actually got cracked.

I did enjoy Big Bert going after Weber the following game... Though I wish he would have landed a few more hits..*cough*
- Cinda

love it,
thats our hard-ass enforcer, a broken down todd bertuzzi
woooooooooooo

other teams have guys pests Steve Ott and Brad Marchand

Why is Cam Neely in the Hall of Fame then if you need more than 12 years?
In my hall there is Bure, Neely, and Shanahan. Roenick, I'm not sold on. Just a personal opinion. I don't think Clark Gillies would be in either.
- thepuckstopshere

I didn't say Neely should be in. With fewer than 700 points (which is a laughably low number for a modern era HOFer), I'd exclude him.

For a forward in the modern era, you'd better have 500 goals or 1000 points. 1100 is probably a better target, though.

Extreme exceptions only. Bure comes close, but misses. I could go either way on Lindros.

Only Parise and his agents know where he wants to go. The Wild fans have reason to be optimistic is that for the first time in MN WILD history their is a Top Tier Free Agent from MN with very strong ties to MN with the opportunity to name his price to come home and instantly become the Leader and focal point for MN professional hockey which the state has needed since Norm Green stole away the North Stars and Mike Modano.

The Wild has a core group at the NHL level(Koivu, Heatley, Setogucci, Brodziak, clutterbuck, Cullen,Gilbert, and Backstrom/Harding) INJURED SKILLED TYPES(PMB, Latendresse) and a ton of young players(Scandella, Spurgeon, Faulk, Stoner, and Prosser) on the verge of being nhl ready(Granlund, Coyle, Zucker, Bulmer, Larsson, Hackett, Brodin, and Cuma)

This team adds Parise and a Dman whether Suter or Wideman/Garrison/Souray it will be very good. They have the money to spend and if as rumored PMB ends up on the LTI that will be another $4mil to the $20mil they have already in cap space. If Parise signs with the Wild they immediately improve their standing with potential FAs in 2013 and will have more cap space then.

Only Parise and his agents know where he wants to go. The reason Wild fans have reason to be optimistic is that for the first time in MN WILD history their is a Top Tier Free Agent from MN with very strong ties to MN with the opportunity to name his price to come home and instantly become the Leader and focal point for MN professional hockey which the state has needed since Norm Green stole away the North Stars and Mike Modano.

The Wild has a core group at the NHL level(Koivu, Heatley, Setogucci, Brodziak, clutterbuck, Cullen,Gilbert, and Backstrom/Harding) INJURED SKILLED TYPES(PMB, Latendresse) and a ton of young players(Scandella, Spurgeon, Faulk, Stoner, and Prosser) on the verge of being nhl ready(Granlund, Coyle, Zucker, Bulmer, Larsson, Hackett, Brodin, and Cuma)

This team adds Parise and a Dman whether Suter or Wideman/Garrison/Souray it will be very good. They have the money to spend and if as rumored PMB ends up on the LTI that will be another $4mil to the $20mil they have already in cap space. If Parise signs with the Wild they immediately improve their standing with potential FAs in 2013 and will have more cap space then.
- kieferaw

im interested, continue on

Only Parise and his agents know where he wants to go. The reason Wild fans have reason to be optimistic is that for the first time in MN WILD history their is a Top Tier Free Agent from MN with very strong ties to MN with the opportunity to name his price to come home and instantly become the Leader and focal point for MN professional hockey which the state has needed since Norm Green stole away the North Stars and Mike Modano.

The Wild has a core group at the NHL level(Koivu, Heatley, Setogucci, Brodziak, clutterbuck, Cullen,Gilbert, and Backstrom/Harding) INJURED SKILLED TYPES(PMB, Latendresse) and a ton of young players(Scandella, Spurgeon, Faulk, Stoner, and Prosser) on the verge of being nhl ready(Granlund, Coyle, Zucker, Bulmer, Larsson, Hackett, Brodin, and Cuma)

This team adds Parise and a Dman whether Suter or Wideman/Garrison/Souray it will be very good. They have the money to spend and if as rumored PMB ends up on the LTI that will be another $4mil to the $20mil they have already in cap space. If Parise signs with the Wild they immediately improve their standing with potential FAs in 2013 and will have more cap space then.
- kieferaw

Dallas Stars
Minnesota North Stars

im interested, continue on
- wingz4life

Says the Red Wings fan

Only Parise and his agents know where he wants to go. The reason Wild fans have reason to be optimistic is that for the first time in MN WILD history their is a Top Tier Free Agent from MN with very strong ties to MN with the opportunity to name his price to come home and instantly become the Leader and focal point for MN professional hockey which the state has needed since Norm Green stole away the North Stars and Mike Modano.

The Wild has a core group at the NHL level(Koivu, Heatley, Setogucci, Brodziak, clutterbuck, Cullen,Gilbert, and Backstrom/Harding) INJURED SKILLED TYPES(PMB, Latendresse) and a ton of young players(Scandella, Spurgeon, Faulk, Stoner, and Prosser) on the verge of being nhl ready(Granlund, Coyle, Zucker, Bulmer, Larsson, Hackett, Brodin, and Cuma)

This team adds Parise and a Dman whether Suter or Wideman/Garrison/Souray it will be very good. They have the money to spend and if as rumored PMB ends up on the LTI that will be another $4mil to the $20mil they have already in cap space. If Parise signs with the Wild they immediately improve their standing with potential FAs in 2013 and will have more cap space then.
- kieferaw

I actually wouldn't mind seeing him sign with the Wild. Obviously I would prefer Toronto, but I'm sure there's a less than 5% chance of that happening. But Parise signing in Minny would be great for that market and the team as well....they could make some real waves. A 1st line of Parise-Koivu-Heatley sounds pretty sweet and may rejuvenate Heater and bring him back to at least the 40-goal plateau.

As long as he doesn't go to the Rangers, Pens or Flyers.....

I actually wouldn't mind seeing him sign with the Wild. Obviously I would prefer Toronto, but I'm sure there's a less than 5% chance of that happening. But Parise signing in Minny would be great for that market and the team as well....they could make some real waves. A 1st line of Parise-Koivu-Heatley sounds pretty sweet and may rejuvenate Heater and bring him back to at least the 40-goal plateau.

As long as he doesn't go to the Rangers, Pens or Flyers.....
- Phenom

You'd think being centered by Joe Thornton or Miiko Koivu would bring him back to the 40 goal plateau. And it didn't in a combined 3 seasons so far with those centers. Parise's great, but I don't think it makes Heatley a better goal scorer.

I am realistic in that I only believe there is a 15-20% chance Parise signs with the Wild but never before have the Wild been in a better spot to sign a guy like Parise. I get it with the Canandian markets dominating popular opinion and all of the original six prestige talk but this would be a gane changer for MN.

Did the AVS give Downie a qualifying offer?
- omatty44

They did. Everyone except for Muller was qualified.

John Kordic has a cup... Just saying

You'd think being centered by Joe Thornton or Miiko Koivu would bring him back to the 40 goal plateau. And it didn't in a combined 3 seasons so far with those centers. Parise's great, but I don't think it makes Heatley a better goal scorer.
- sjsharks92

Heatley worked his tail off last year though playing with little help because of the Wild's talent level and a crazy bad string of injuries. He most likely never scores 40 again because he has lost a step or two but he took shots was aggressive and hit people last season. We love him in MN for who he is and he was a solid teammate all season. Being completely honest about it we destroyed San Jose in that trade cause Havlat was a douche and padded his stats and gave that Gaborik type of effort when things arent the way he wants them to be. Havlat has great hands but not a solid citizen and obviously spent last season on the shelf.

Mats Sundin first ballot? Mark Messier Leadership Award and his Second Team All-Star nominations sure are impressive...

Heatley worked his tail off last year though playing with little help because of the Wild's talent level and a crazy bad string of injuries. He most likely never scores 40 again because he has lost a step or two but he took shots was aggressive and hit people last season. We love him in MN for who he is and he was a solid teammate all season. Being completely honest about it we destroyed San Jose in that trade cause Havlat was a douche and padded his stats and gave that Gaborik type of effort when things arent the way he wants them to be. Havlat has great hands but not a solid citizen and obviously spent last season on the shelf.
- kieferaw

Havlat's injury was costly. Though he was probably the best Shark in our short postseason run (how was Minnesota's?)

I will say this, it was a good trade for both sides because both players needed a change in scenery. Heately got complacent with the Sharks and wasn't playing anywhere near his contract. Frankly, he was even worse this past season with you guys.

Havlat is exactly what the Sharks needed. A speedy winger. If he can stay healthy for 60+ games this season, he'll be imperative to our success. Though I have a feeling he may be on the move this offseason for some depth pieces.

Heatley worked his tail off last year though playing with little help because of the Wild's talent level and a crazy bad string of injuries. He most likely never scores 40 again because he has lost a step or two but he took shots was aggressive and hit people last season. We love him in MN for who he is and he was a solid teammate all season. Being completely honest about it we destroyed San Jose in that trade cause Havlat was a douche and padded his stats and gave that Gaborik type of effort when things arent the way he wants them to be. Havlat has great hands but not a solid citizen and obviously spent last season on the shelf.
- kieferaw

Let's also keep in mind, the Sharks freed up 2.5 mil in cap which was much needed for a team that was a bit handcuffed at the time.

I'd say we won the Heatley-Havlat swap. Though you guys won the Burns-Seto swap as it appears Coyle may be turning into something special. Only time will tell though.

Flyer fan here. Always like when stars stick with their teams.

Stay in NJ Mr. Parise.

It will be fun to beat you over the next six years

Mats Sundin first ballot? Mark Messier Leadership Award and his Second Team All-Star nominations sure are impressive...
- keatondixon

yeah his gold medals in world play and Olympics arent worth much

Flyer fan here. Always like when stars stick with their teams.

Stay in NJ Mr. Parise.

It will be fun to beat you over the next six years
- Daman

Wont be the least bit surprised if this is what happens. Lou is a smart man, he wont let his captain go while Kovy got a 10/100

Eventually he will be inducted just not this year.
- HuileHab

agreed.

But how do you not put someone in when they stand alone with something as statistically relevant as goals and PIMs?

I actually wouldn't mind seeing him sign with the Wild. Obviously I would prefer Toronto, but I'm sure there's a less than 5% chance of that happening. But Parise signing in Minny would be great for that market and the team as well....they could make some real waves. A 1st line of Parise-Koivu-Heatley sounds pretty sweet and may rejuvenate Heater and bring him back to at least the 40-goal plateau.

As long as he doesn't go to the Rangers, Pens or Flyers.....
- Phenom

IF parise signs with a different team other than NJ i am pretty sure it will be a team that isnt in the same division, prob not even conference

if he doesnt sign with nj then i believe it will be detroit

Havlat's injury was costly. Though he was probably the best Shark in our short postseason run (how was Minnesota's?)

I will say this, it was a good trade for both sides because both players needed a change in scenery. Heately got complacent with the Sharks and wasn't playing anywhere near his contract. Frankly, he was even worse this past season with you guys.

Havlat is exactly what the Sharks needed. A speedy winger. If he can stay healthy for 60+ games this season, he'll be imperative to our success. Though I have a feeling he may be on the move this offseason for some depth pieces.
- sjsharks92

Wild were stuck with Havlat's contract and could not get anything for it. SJ had better talent so was a better fit and it did free up 2+mil but he had an extra year then Heatley. Havlat was clubhouse cancer for the Wild leading into the trade. Heatley is no longer a top end guy but with a healthy set of real top 2 linemates he will put up points and be good for the wild.

Wild were stuck with Havlat's contract and could not get anything for it. SJ had better talent so was a better fit and it did free up 2+mil but he had an extra year then Heatley. Havlat was clubhouse cancer for the Wild leading into the trade. Heatley is no longer a top end guy but with a healthy set of real top 2 linemates he will put up points and be good for the wild.
- kieferaw

Did he not have "real top 2 linemates" in SJ. Do Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau not qualify as "real top 2 linemates"? Pretty sure both those guys are better than any linemates Heater has in Minny. Koiivu included.

Reality is, Heater look pretty good his first year in SJ. He can't stay in one place though. He was great to start his career in Atlanta. We all know what happened after that. Great to start his career in Ottawa, then he decided he didnt like it there anymore. If Heatley's only putting up 24 goals in his first year in Minny, you can't like his chances for the upcoming season, with or w/o Parise.

yeah his gold medals in world play and Olympics arent worth much
- Popcorn Kid

Shanny would love to show you his gold medals in International play but after he shows his 3 Cup rings obviously.

...Im sure Sundins Mark Messier Leadership Award is quite the trophy though...

Shanny would love to show you his gold medals in International play but after he shows his 3 Cup rings obviously.

...Im sure Sundins Mark Messier Leadership Award is quite the trophy though...
- keatondixon

I don't think anybody is saying Shanny shouldn't be a first ballot HOFer. But Sundin isn't the reason he got knocked out.

I'm looking at a certain player with 700-odd careers points who just got in...

put in perspective, if this was the NHL Hall of Fame, I doubt Sundin would get in, but his record with Sweden plus his NHL stats puts him with the greats.

Im kinda shocked Shanny didnt get in, he deserves it way more than Sundin at this point.