Rookie defenseman Stoner misses practice; Russo plays radio host later tonight

Here's some of what Richards had to say to us media folks after practice:

On the Brodziak line: "They know what their elements are and what they bring. Latendresse has to play physical. Brodziak has to finish his checks. And Marty Havlat has to make plays with the puck on his stick. It's a great mix. They've shown everyone what they can bring and what they can do. (And) they have to maintain it. They're having success now, but they cant think they'll have it just by showing up. They have to think about what they need to do." On Robbie Earl: "He's a guy that I can trust. As a coach, when you've lost four in a row and you're looking to make changes you want guys you can trust. There were a couple of points in the game the other night where guys had to get skates worked on during the game, I had no problem inserting Robbie in different positions, right wing or left wing. And it's the same after power plays." On whether Petr Sykora is in the doghouse: "He's worked, he's competed, he's trying. But as far as the lineup, it's making a change, adding some speed. And the one thing that Petr does extremely well is shoot the puck, but we have to get hbim in positions where he can shoot and get the puck to him. Our feeling going into the game is we needed more speed, and Robbie provides that." On if Pierre-Marc Bouchard will ever play this season: "You get up in the morning and come to the rink - I don't want to lead myself to those false hopes of him coming back. It's almost like a tease to some extent. We focus as a coaching staff with what we have. If we get him back, it's a huge plus but I don't know if that's ever going to happen. I'm not going to allow myself to start leaning to, 'Well, is he coming back next week, next month?' The guys what we have have done a nice job. If at some point he can come back, that's great. But he has to prove he's ready to go." That's it from me for today. Russo will be back with you tomorrow for the game against Chicago. But before that, he'll be hosting a special extended edition of Russo Radio on AM-1500 tonight from 5:30-8 p.m. He'll have several guests, including Doug MacLean to open the show, Cal Clutterbuck at 5:45, Star Tribune colleagues Judd Zulgad (6-6:30) and LaVelle E. Neal III (6-7), former NHL GM and coach Rick Dudley (7:00) and Minnetonka boys' coach Brian Urick (7:30). Russo will also take your calls. Funny, but I haven't gotten the e-mail or call yet to be a guest, so perhaps I'll be in that latter boat tonight, eh??