Michael Russo's short takes: Jan. 4

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: January 3, 2009 - 11:35 PM

Pregame soccer is becoming dangerous. First Marian Gaborik, now Toronto's Matt Stajan, out a week after a soccer ball hit him in the eye.

If the Wild hasn't banished soccer warmup routines since the Gaborik incident in October, think Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke will? "I'm not going to eliminate soccer because one guy gets a ball in the eye," Burke said.

In fact, in another soccer incident, before the Winter Classic, the Red Wings warmed up on the main concourse while fans entered Wrigley Field. That was until Blackhawks fans began taunting them.

"We just kind of picked our ball up and went home," Kris Draper said.

• • •

With the Penguins having lost nine of 14, there's chatter of a roster shakeup that could include the purging of Jordan Staal.

• • •

Is there pressure on Calgary rookie Brett Sutter? His dad, Flames GM Darryl Sutter, said: "I don't think so. We've been down that road as a family for 30 years."

• • •

With Phoenix's Ilya Bryzgalov's back hurting, Phoenix dressed media relations director Sergei Kocharov in goal for practice. Coach Wayne Gretzky used that opportunity to work on the power play for 90 minutes. Said Gretzky, "Hopefully that will give our guys some confidence."

Recent Minnesota Wild stories

Prospects are earning praise with edgy play - January 3, 2009

Prospects are earning praise with edgy play - DALLAS - Like many coaches, Kevin Constantine barely remembers goals. Sacrifice for the team, however, is something the Houston Aeros coach will recognize all day long. More