Lemaire nudges third and fourth lines to score more

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: February 14, 2008 - 11:47 PM

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - When Jacques Lemaire spotted Branko Radivojevic leaving the ice with some teammates during Tuesday's morning skate, the Wild coach yelled out, "Branko, how's the shot?"

Radivojevic answered, "Unbelievable," before proceeding to the locker room.

Lemaire's question seemed to be meant as a reminder to Radivojevic that it wouldn't hurt to spend five extra minutes on the ice working on his shot.

After all, the Wild has gotten almost no offensive contribution from its third and fourth lines for some time, and Lemaire is understandably concerned.

Heading into Thursday's game at Vancouver, Radivojevic had one goal and no assists in the past 27 games. Stephane Veilleux had no goals and three assists in the past 33. Since Dec. 26, Vancouver native Aaron Voros had no points in his past 19 games.

Change came Thursday night, when Veilleux scored the Wild's first two goals against Vancouver. He hadn't scored since Nov. 28.

"We'd love them to get some points," Lemaire said. "A good team cannot rely only on their top players. They've got to get some points from someone else on the team.

"You've got a great example in Edmonton [Tuesday]. The fourth line [Kyle Brodziak] scored two goals, they win the game. So we need that, too."

Radivojevic says he's trying.

"Obviously we have to keep working and put the pucks on net and hopefully we're going to break that down and start scoring," he said. "We get open nets and hit the post. You've got to go through this and get a lucky one."

Voros, who has had less impact than he did in November and December, when he received a lot more ice time because of injuries, said, "We've got two of the most electrifying lines in the league, so it's important to get help from the third and fourth line and be able to trust 100 percent that they'll keep the puck out of your end and complement you offensively."

Gaborik can't buy a 'C'

Tuesday morning in Edmonton, Marian Gaborik, who has been with the Wild since its inception, was asked why the Wild has had 19 captains in team history, and he has not been one of them. After all, fighter Matt Johnson even has worn the 'C,' as well as fringe defenseman Alex Henry.

"I don't know why I've never had it," said Gaborik, the Wild's all-time leader with 461 games.

Has he ever asked Lemaire? "No, I haven't," Gaborik laughed. "[Rotating the C] is his way and it seems to be motivation for somebody each month."

Tuesday night, Gaborik wore the assistant captain's 'A,' for ill Kim Johnsson, who returned Thursday. Gaborik, who has worn the 'A' a few times before, said he was "surprised."

Etc.

• Wild GM Doug Risebrough flew to Vancouver on Wednesday and left by Thursday morning -- well before game time. Don Baizley, the agent for free agent Peter Forsberg, was roaming around the Wild's Vancouver hotel, but Risebrough said the two never sat down. The Wild is clearly still in the Forsberg hunt, and it's believed he's having second thoughts about returning to Philadelphia if his past linemate, Simon Gagne, is out long-term because of a concussion. The Canucks also have interest in Forsberg.

• Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said he planned to use mostly four defensemen Thursday and rotate in his other two.

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