Wild Insider: Pouliot belongs on roster

The young center earned a spot on the team, and sending him to Houston did neither him nor the Wild any service.

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: October 8, 2007 - 1:09 AM

Print this story

WILD WEEK IN REVIEW Record: 2-0 The Wild beat Chicago 1-0 in its season opener, thanks in large part to goalie Niklas Backstroms shutout. • The Wild got third-period goals from Eric Belanger and Brent Burns in beating Columbus 3-2 Saturday. This week: One home game, one road vs. Edmonton (7 p.m. Wednesday, Xcel Energy Center, FSN) One season after finishing with a division-low 71 points, the Oilers come to town with a revamped roster, led by Sheldon Souray, who set an NHL record for defensemen with 19 power-play goals last year. Keep an eye on Derek Boogaard, who spent last season sending Oilers to the training room. At Phoenix (9 p.m. Saturday, No TV) The Wild opens a four-game trip at Phoenix, followed by its first shot this season at Anaheim next Sunday. Wayne Gretzkys Coyotes had the worst record in the West last season and were picked by many to finish in that spot again this season.

More from Minnesota Wild

Jacques Lemaire doesnt hand out praise easily, especially to Benoit Pouliot. Over the past two years, the Wild coach has often wondered if Pouliot was on the verge of becoming a first-round bust.

"My opinion has changed," Lemaire said. "I've got so much confidence that he's going to play and he's going to be good, it's unreal."

And yet, despite selling himself to Lemaire in training camp and despite outplaying all the Wild bubble boys, Pouliot was in Houston opening the Aeros' season against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night.

"I feel sad he's going because in a way there, he was going in such a right direction," Lemaire said an hour after GM Doug Risebrough informed Pouliot that he didn't make the Wild.

But let's not mince words here: It's ridiculous that Pouliot didn't make this team.

Risebrough said Pouliot didn't for two reasons. First, James Sheppard, at age 19, had to either be returned to his junior team or make the Wild, which had an "implication" on Pouliot. Second, Matt Foy had to clear waivers to be sent to the minors, which had an "implication" on Pouliot.

Yet one month ago, Risebrough said he'd make room for any player who warranted a spot regardless of another's contracts, saying, "If I felt somebody deserved to be on the team, I'd find a way to get him on the team. ... I'm more worried about the reward of being on the team."

Well, not only did Pouliot deserve it, the team deserved it. In camp, the fast, skilled and tall Pouliot was the one player who looked like he belonged in between scorers Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik.

Putting Pouliot on the team would have given him NHL experience that could prove valuable when the Wild really needs him next season. It also would have deepened the Wild lineup.

Lemaire could have managed Wes Walz's minutes by using him on a checking line and penalty kill until perhaps popping him up to the first line late in close games. Now Walz, at 37, will again be asked to play big minutes, which resulted in injuries last season.

One has to wonder how much of this was financial. Foy makes $506,000. Sheppard's cap hit is $1.4 million, but he's got little shot of hitting his bonuses, meaning he'll cost the Wild $850,000.

Pouliot is a $1.7 million cap hit, and playing in between Demitra and Gaborik would have given him a chance to hit bonuses such as 35 assists or top-10 plus-minus or all-rookie team.

Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn said it has nothing to do with actual cash out but more to do with the Wild's cap number, which is roughly $3 million less than the $50.3 million cap ceiling.

"Last year Doug lacked flexibility, and that kind of upset him because he felt at points he couldn't consider making moves," Lynn said.

Maybe this will all make sense if the Wild makes a significant move later this season. One option could be Peter Forsberg, who reportedly might choose to return to the NHL around December and whose agent, Don Baiz- ley, has a great relationship with Lynn.

Regardless, Pouliot is left disappointed. He had an awful year in Houston last season, but the key to him getting back to the Wild is not to sulk.

"It's good for them," Lynn said. "They realize they're going to have to knock out the champ to get a belt. They'll have to work harder and realize how hard it is to play in the NHL. Not everything's fair. It's not always based on talent."

Recent Minnesota Wild stories

Rick Nash, Kristian Huselius help Blue Jackets beat Ducks 3-2 - October 8, 2007

Rick Nash, Kristian Huselius help Blue Jackets beat Ducks 3-2 - Rick Nash scored the winning shootout goal and also had a goal in regulation, and Mathieu Garon stopped both Anaheim shooters in the tiebreaker to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 3-2 victory Friday night. More