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This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses “Russo’s Rants” to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN (100.3 FM) radio and seen weekly on Fox Sports North.

Also find Russo on Facebook.

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Posts about Wild training camp

Bouchard, Gilbert "good to go" in Saturday's season opener vs. Colorado

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: January 18, 2013 - 6:49 PM

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With Hockey Day Minnesota getting off to an unofficial start this evening as the Gophers host rival North Dakota, the Wild is ready to open the 2013 season Saturday night at 8 p.m. against the Northwest Division rival Colorado Avalanche.

It'll be the nightcap to Hockey Day on Fox Sports North.

We have a lot of coverage in Saturday's paper, including my season advance on how the Wild says it's time for the organization to take the next step and end its four-year playoff drought.

Each player got undershirts that read, "TAKE THE NEXT STEP. NO EXCUSES."

Also, Chip Scoggins wrote a real good column on Mikko Koivu and how he's handling almost being overshadowed as captain and I wrote a notebook on a number of subjects and of course a preview box on the game.

The news of the day:

-- Tom Gilbert (groin) says he is "good to go," meaning Matt Dumba likely won't make his NHL debut.

-- Pierre-Marc Bouchard is excited to play his first game in more than a year.

-- Coach Mike Yeo said Matt Kassian will likely not play, but Yeo did say that if Colorado brought a tough lineup, which may include minor-league fighter Patrick Bordeleau, than Kassian may be in the lineup. My guess: If that's the case, maybe Darroll Powe won't play because Kassian could take his left-wing spot and Zenon Konopka and Torrey Mitchell are a PK pair.

The Wild is 10-0-1 in home openers AT Xcel Energy Center (I put that caveat because technically the Wild didn't win its "home opener" against Carolina in Helsinki), including 10 consecutive wins.

Niklas Backstrom (20-5-2 all-time vs. Colorado) vs. Semyon Varlamov (4-0 against the Wild) on Saturday.

I will be on KFAN at 12:55 p.m. AND 6:45 p.m. Saturday and I will now be a contributor all season periodically on Fox Sports North. I should be on Saturday at 3:45 p.m.ish depending on when the high school game ends.

Talk to you Saturday. Opening Night everybody. Finally!

Palmieri, Veilleux, Dowell clear waivers; Becoming Wild information

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: January 18, 2013 - 11:06 AM

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The Wild is currently on the ice for practice -- its last before Saturday's 8 p.m. opener against Colorado. Defenseman Tom Gilbert (groin) is practicing, so if he gets the clearance, he should be in Saturday's lineup.

If that's the case, Matt Dumba likely wouldn't play in the opener over the other six healthy defensemen.

Forwards Nick Palmieri, Stephane Veilleux and Jake Dowell have all cleared waivers and will be assigned to AHL Houston, says a source.

Official rosters must be submitted to the league Friday at 4 p.m. -- changed from 2 -- but as you know, the roster on yesterday's blog is the anticipated official roster.

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“BECOMING WILD” PRESENTED BY TOYOTA BACK ON AIR
TUESDAY, JAN. 22 WITH NEW EPISODES

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild today announced that Emmy Award-winning “Becoming Wild” presented by Toyota returns to FOX Sports North on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 10 p.m. after the Wild game’s versus Nashville, with an episode featuring Tom Gilbert shot in Madison, Wis.

“Becoming Wild” will also take fans exclusively to the hometowns of players Niklas Backstrom (Helsinki, Finland), Dany Heatley (Kelowna, B.C.) and Mikko Koivu (Turku, Finland).

“Becoming Wild” Premiere Dates:

Episode 3 Tuesday, Jan. 22 10:00 p.m. Tom Gilbert in Madison, Wisconsin
Episode 4 Tuesday, Jan. 29 10:00 p.m. Niklas Backstrom in Helsinki, Finland
Episode 5 Monday, Feb. 4 7:00 p.m. Dany Heatley in Kelowna, British Columbia
Episode 6 Tuesday, Feb. 12 8:00 p.m. Mikko Koivu in Turku, Finland

 

Palmieri, Veilleux, Dowell on waivers; Kampfer sent down; Dumba sticking; Bouchard off IR

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: January 17, 2013 - 1:34 PM

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UPDATED:

With rosters having to be submitted Friday at 2 p.m., the Wild has placed Nick Palmieri, Stephane Veilleux and Jake Dowell on waivers this morning.

If cleared, all three would likely be reassigned if cleared. Matt Kassian, as expected, is the 13th forward and the Wild won't keep a 14th forward for now.

Steve Kampfer has also been reassigned. He didn't require waivers. He can be recalled at any time, but with Kampfer gone, Matt Dumba sticks for now.

"He's earned it," coach Mike Yeo said.

Remember, the 18-year-old defenseman can play in five games without 1) the first year of his three-year deal burning off; 2) his contract counting as one of the Wild's 50. That is key because the Wild is at the max 50.

So there's no telling how long he will be here. In his mind, he just survived another day.

"It's pretty crazy," Dumba said. "These last five days have gone by so quick for me. It's an awesome feeling to be here right now."

Also, Jonas Brodin practiced today with the Wild. He is getting closer to a return. He looked good, but Yeo and GM Chuck Fletcher has said ideally they'd like to get him a few games with Houston before throwing him into the NHL lineup.

We'll see if that changes down the road here.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has officially been activated off injured reserve.

Defenseman Tom Gilbert (groin) didn't practice today for precautionary reasons, Yeo said. He is expected to practice Friday and be ready for the opener Saturday.

FORWARDS (13)

Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Dany Heatley

Matt Cullen-Mikael Granlund-Devin Setoguchi

Cal Clutterbuck-Kyle Brodziak-P-M Bouchard

Darroll Powe-Zenon Konopka-Torrey Mitchell

Matt Kassian

DEFENSEMEN (7)

Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon

Clayton Stoner-Tom Gilbert

Justin Falk-Nate Prosser

Matt Dumba

Marco Scandella and Jonas Brodin working their way back from injuries; getting closer.

GOALIES (2)

Niklas Backstrom

Josh Harding

 

Spurgeon, Dumba solid; Gilbert tweaks groin; Wild roster decisions Thursday

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: January 16, 2013 - 11:33 PM

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More than 13,000 showed up to the X tonight for a scrimmage. Red beat white 4-1 with Jared Spurgeon, Ryan Suter’s new defense partner, scoring two goals and an assist. Nick Palmieri and Jake Dowell also scored for red, Josh Harding won with 18 saves and Steven Kampfer scored for the white team.
 
In a practice overtime, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who had an awesome game, scored on a beauty backhander from Dany Heatley. In the shootout, check out my Twitter mentions for the play by play, but Spurgeon decided it with a slick deke, then backhand/top shelf by Niklas Backstrom.
 
The big story of the night was that 18-year-old defenseman Matt Dumba looked real good. He assisted on Palmieri’s goal (Dumba one-timer deflected off Backstrom’s glove, then Palmieri’s knee), flashed a bunch of one-timers, had a great gap (stole a puck from Zach Parise in overtime, a couple from Heatley earlier), skated real well and he was comically “traded” midway through the game.
 
Veteran defenseman Tom Gilbert tweaked his groin late in the first period. Gilbert didn’t play in the second and finally, Dumba changed from a red sweater to a white to take Gilbert’s right-handed D spot. Humorously, Dumba was still wearing his red socks.
 
“He was awesome,” Parise said of Dumba.
 
Coach Mike Yeo said Gilbert’s injury isn’t serious and the team believes he will be ready for Saturday’s opener.
 
But with Marco Scandella and Jonas Brodin a few weeks away, the Wild better hope Gilbert is OK. Otherwise, the sixth defense spot is down to Kampfer or Dumba. Again, Dumba looked great tonight, but he’s 18 and as Yeo even pointed out, he should have had an advantage because he has been playing all year. Yeo also noted that the level will change drastically from an intrasquad scrimmage to a real NHL contest come Saturday “and two weeks after that, there will be another level.”
 
On Dumba, Yeo said, “He’s confident, you’ve got to like that. He shows a lot of poise with the puck and wants to be in those situations and wants the puck. Physically, battle-wise, he’s strong. Skating ability is excellent. Certainly some aspects of his game that we’ll have to work on, but in time we can definitely help him with those things.”
 
As I mentioned, Dumba’s gap was real good and that’s because of his skating ability. You often see the same thing with Brodin, the smooth-skating 2011 first-round pick.
 
While I don’t feel the Wild should rush Dumba, I can also see how the team may decide not to send Dumba right back to his junior team, Red Deer. First, the Wild may need him right now because it’s so banged-up on the blue line. Second, he’s essentially a free body.
 
Not only would the first year of his contract not burn off until he plays in his sixth game, the Wild’s at the maximum 50 contracts right now. Dumba’s contract would not count as a contract until he plays in that sixth game. In other words, he wouldn’t be No. 51. So like I said, it would make sense that they keep him right now.
 
Thursday will be a big day around the Wild. We will have a very good idea what the final roster will look like by midday. Rosters for the opener must be submitted to the NHL by 2 p.m. Friday.
 
To get to a 23-man roster, certain players need waivers to get to the minors. So to clear by Friday, they’d have to be placed on waivers by 11 a.m. Thursday. As I’ve noted, the 13 and 14 forward spots are likely between Matt Kassian, Palmieri, Dowell and Stephane Veilleux.
 
Yeo said, “I thought they all played very well,” and aside from the goals Palmieri and Dowell scored, he liked how the players all played the type of game the Wild would need them to play during the season.
 
On the scrimmage, Yeo felt “system-wise we weren’t as sharp, and that’s what happens. You get into a real game, and that’s why it was so important that we did this. I thought we were decent at times but clearly not where we want to be come Saturday night.”
 
Yeo is wrestling whether or not to practice the team Thursday. He’s worried about fatigue during a tough grind of a week and you don’t want to risk injury by forcing tired bodies onto the ice.
 
On the other hand, Yeo said, “there are some things we need to work on clearly.”
 
On Bouchard, it’s clear he’ll be ready to play Saturday. Yeo said, “Not many guys can control the game like that. He was in fine form again. He’s had a great camp. He looks great. And it’s great news for us.”
 
On Backstrom, who gave up three goals in regulation, the one in overtime and two of five shots in the shootout, Yeo said, “It’s why it’s real important to get these games in, for them to get into the routine. There was lots of activity in front on the goals. He’ll be the first to tell you that he hates losing and he wished that he probably did a little better, but I have no concerns.”
 
Spurgeon says he feels he’s developing a good chemistry with Suter and “there are little things I notice in his game that I can bring to mine, so I just read off him.”
 
Parise on his line with Mikko Koivu and Heatley: “We’re still learning where each other goes on the ice in different situations, coming out of the corner and things like that. But I felt we had some great opportunities, so those will come.”
 
I thought Mikael Granlund was good at times, but so-so as a whole. He’ll be fine.
 
And here’s Dumba:
 
“I felt I got better as the game went on. It’s definitely a change from junior, and I think the guys knew that. As I just worked hard and competed and battled, things just came for me. I made good passes, I thought. Through simplifying things, things got easier.”
 
On playing against guys like Parise and Heatley: “It’s crazy. Just the thought of being on the ice with those guys, it was awesome. Five years I idolized those guys and watched them play in the NHL and to be on the same ice surface with them and battling and competing with them is something special.”
 
On if he hopes the Wild keeps him around: “I hope so. I hope for the best. I hope I get that chance and opportunity, but it’s all up to the coaches and staff.”
 
Talk to ya Thursday and stay tuned to here and Twitter for some potential roster decisions around 11 a.m.

Wild home opener vs. Colorado sold out

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: January 16, 2013 - 10:49 AM

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The Wild's home opener Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche and the Feb. 17 game against the Detroit Red Wings sold out within an hour of single-game tickets going on sale this morning.

The Xcel Energy Center box office will remain open throughout the day, and tickets can be purchased on wild.com and ticketmaster.com starting at noon.

Also, items have been flying off the shelves at the three Hockey Lodge locations, I'm told, as the team holds an all-day 50% off sale (while supplies last, limit of one jersey per person).

Also, all tickets have been distributed for tonight's 7 p.m. scrimmage at the X. Doors open at 6.

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NHL ALUMNI TO PLAY IN BENEFIT GAME FOR FORMER NHL’er

The Minnesota NHL Alumni Association has announced support and participation in a benefit
celebrity game for former Buffalo Sabre/Hartford Whaler/Pittsburgh Penguin and Minnesota native
Jeff Parker.

Jeff has been a victim of Cardio Pulmonary Hypertension and other medical complications after
suffering a hit into the penalty box door/metal standard that holds the Plexiglas while playing for the
Hartford Whalers in a 1991 game versus the Washington Capitals - this ended his career due to a
major head injury that led to other medical issues.

There will be a benefit on Saturday, February 2nd 2013 in Chisago, MN. The benefit will consist of ex-
NHL players participating in an exhibition game on February 2nd from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Chisago
Lakes Arena. NHL Alumni members scheduled to play in this benefit will be:

Antti Laaksonen, Shjon Podein, Don Beaupre, Brad Maxwell, Gordie Roberts, Bob Paradise, Bob Bergloff, Reed Larson, Dan Mandich, Carl Wetzel, Chris Dahlquist, Sean Toomey, Tom Younghans and Dave Snuggerud.

There will be a VIP Dinner & Auction at The Gallery Bar & Grill at Chisago Lakes Golf Club following
the game. Social Hour will be from 5:00 to 6:30 pm with dinner following. $50 will get you a game
ticket, dinner & two drink tickets. Complete information, updates and directions at www.jeffparker.org.

 

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