Minnesota Wild GameZzzzzzzzz.....

[Grinder 2]

I know this is old news, but after watching Min play Van last night I have to say how it takes a special kind of coach to create a team that can make a game so boring, even when it goes to OT and a shootout. I like watching Gaborik play - gotta respect that talent - but OMFG what a lackluster game the trap makes. JL's coaching might be technically correct and efficient, but is sure is bland.

Thanks for listening! Rant ends.

[Duder84 0]

watching that game last night, i have never seen such a dead building

[jbyun04 7]

i'd say it's hard for the fans to get into the game if theres nothing going on except clogging up the neutral zone. I hate watching us play the Wild and i'm glad we're done in the season with them.

[#96 0]

Ohhhhh don't let DarkStar read this post...he looooves the coaching of Lemaire!

Just kiddin, Pete!

Lemaire is a great coach. Technically speaking. On the essentials of good, smart hockey. But good, smart hockey his way (these days, not in the past when Montreal-Devil-Wild neutral zone play was legal) equals neutral zone "clogging" instead of pure trapping, and less clutching and grabbing. But this all equals zzzzzzzzzzz.

This was exactly what the league was trying to address by the new rules. Trying to uplift the game a bit offensively. However, Mr. Lemaire must have missed the league memo and still has his boys neutral zone "clogging".

Boooooring.

[Grinder 2]

If the trap was leading to lots of scoring chances, it wouldn't be so bad. That would still give some thrills. But once they get up a goal, offense almost ceases to exist. Unless an error leads to a good opportunity, it's just dump and cycle from there on in. Most media types I read or listen to acknowledge Minnesota as playing a "one goal" game. It's a shame, because they do have talent.

Besides their initial big run at the Cup with the trap, they haven't really gone anywhere since. The value of the system could be questioned. It's been enough of a headache that most teams have a counter.

My roomate and I watched the game down at the pub last night. It was about as dead there as it looked at the Garage. After the stats for the third period came up (I think there were six shots in total between the two teams - some ridiculously low number, anyways) my roomie, who was knocking them back pretty quick since there wasn't much game to watch, began loudly referring to JL as 'a stain on the game' for taking all the fun out of it, rant rant rant. A british guy nearby laughed and said he couldn't imagine that style of play surviving in any other sport. "Can you imagine Man U playing the trap and dump for half a game? Their fans would start a f'ing riot, mate..."

The comment made me think. The TV mentioned that the Wild have sold out almost every home game since they came into being. Do Wild fans find their hockey exciting? Do they just like the success? As long as the fans support it, there's no cause for change.

[stickfixchaska 0]

If the trap was leading to lots of scoring chances, it wouldn't be so bad. That would still give some thrills. But once they get up a goal, offense almost ceases to exist. Unless an error leads to a good opportunity, it's just dump and cycle from there on in. Most media types I read or listen to acknowledge Minnesota as playing a "one goal" game. It's a shame, because they do have talent.

Besides their initial big run at the Cup with the trap, they haven't really gone anywhere since. The value of the system could be questioned. It's been enough of a headache that most teams have a counter.

My roomate and I watched the game down at the pub last night. It was about as dead there as it looked at the Garage. After the stats for the third period came up (I think there were six shots in total between the two teams - some ridiculously low number, anyways) my roomie, who was knocking them back pretty quick since there wasn't much game to watch, began loudly referring to JL as 'a stain on the game' for taking all the fun out of it, rant rant rant. A british guy nearby laughed and said he couldn't imagine that style of play surviving in any other sport. "Can you imagine Man U playing the trap and dump for half a game? Their fans would start a f'ing riot, mate..."

The comment made me think. The TV mentioned that the Wild have sold out almost every home game since they came into being. Do Wild fans find their hockey exciting? Do they just like the success? As long as the fans support it, there's no cause for change.

As a Fan of the Wild, I can't say that I find the trap exciting to watch, but for every person slamming JL and his coaching style, there are just as many claiming he is a genious. However, in JL's defense...There isn't a lot of tallent on the team to work with. Gaborik, Rolston, maybe PMB...The def group isn't that good at all. Manny and Roli were decient tandem, but when one would have a good year, the other would struggle.

Every guy on the team is someone elses castoff or failed experiment. Our team is full of Role Players, with only one real star. Imagine if Gabby had a guy like Brad Richards (one trade rumor this year) to help set him up. He could have easily hit 50g this season. The team has a bunch of tallent in the minors, but they never get a chance to play because of slugs like Dupuis, Veilleux and Daigle.

For the record, the Xcel Center has been sold out for every game since the NHL came back to MN. The group that owns the team has been getting rich of the fans in MN and there are a TON of WILD.COM mb posts to prove the discontent of those same fans. When the NHL came back to MN, Risebrough promised to deliver a team that could be playoff contender in 5yrs and consistent playoff team after that. Many fans are tired of JL and Risebrough. If the Wild do not open the check book this off season and give guys like Gabby and Rolston some real help, there may be a chance that the Sell Out streak could end.

The success realy isn't there either. The Wild are basically a .500 hockey team. That isn't good enough to get into the playoffs in the West and it is too good to get a top pick in the draft.

I am a hockey fan and the Wild are my team. I will be a fan of the team forever. I don't have to like the way the team is run or coached though...

[Grinder 2]

Whatever else they bring to the game, it's good to see a team selling out so consistently, epecially when some teams continue to struggle financially.

Richards and Gaborik would be a good match. Prior to the Wild/Canucks game, they profiled the Wild organization and mentioned the fact that the management must be making a buttload of cash off of all the sellouts, and that the pressure was building to open the chequebook next year. There's a lot of free agents coming out this year. The organization could make some nice additions to the team without breaking the bank.

Then again, maybe Cloutier and Jovo would look good in gold and green. Gaborik might like the winters here on the west coast :)

[wickedwrister 0]

If I was a Wild fan and they had 100 points I would cheer for the trap. Seeing as they only have 75, I think the fans are getting the short end. Boring hockey AND no chance for a Cup.

[Eazy_b97 1]

It's an easy way for weak teams to compete. Minny isn't having a great season, but it's their only hope to win. One of the reason NJ's been good for so many years is they've kept the same system in place and drafted/signed players who can play in it. They aren't the best players, but they are guys who can step in and play. Makes things relatively easy for the players, and it's a quick way to turn a team around.

[jjtt99 0]

To me it's like watching soccer. Long long lags before one moment of excite, then back to Zzzzzzzzzz.

[TCsnipes9 0]

although, the wild are doing it right. they get a lot of high draft picks, and they love to devolop their players. look at ottawa. they sucked, too, for many years, got a ton of top draft picks, and look at them now. whos the most fun team to watch? ottawa. (ha, not saying JL will change his style, cuz he is certainly defensive minded.) yes, i find wild hockey to be pretty boring, but the reason they sell out is because of the passion and pride for MN hockey.

not only do they sell out for all wild games, but EVERY YEAR the WCHA final 5 sells out, and so do pretty much EVERY one of the high school state games (the big schools, "AA".) i watched the confrence championship (forgot which one...) played at SO CALLED "hockeytown USA" in detroit, and they were NO WHERE NEAR filling the lower bowl.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Keep in mind Ottawa was TERRIBLE to watch when Martins was their coach. They had all the same talent, but played a very conservative game. Edmonton was at the opposite end of the scale, weaker team with an uptempo fast paced game.

[TCsnipes9 0]

just got back from tonights game against STL, just a little review. if any one watched their game tonight, it was again boring as all hell during regulation. overtime came and it was a COMPLETLY different game. i was actually getting mad/worried cuz i thought for sure they were going to score and i wanted to see a shootout! gaborik, bouchard and walz were great.

chaska- (im from AV) any ways, i agree COMPLETLY with your comment about dagile, and vellieux, (and i feel chioniard too,) but dupuis is actually a VERY good player. he does a great job for the speed game that the wild DO bring to the table. dagile is gone now, so hes one less to worry about.

i never thought id say this, but believe it or not, vellieux played AWESOME tonight. he was all over the place throwing his weight arround, and making some nice plays. i think that goal in the 1st boosted a lot of confidence, so congrats to him.

[mack 44]

Devils helped to destroy the league trhough the 90's with this type of hockey. Once they started winning, ratings went down like a rock.

You STILL can't get statements right. The Devils didn't kill hockey, teams trying to imp their style killed it. The Devils scored with that defence, teams that copied it without talent are the ones that killed it.

You would take their style if it came with their success and you know it, so let's not play hypocrisy.

[CardinalHcky19 0]

i went to the wild game last night and it wasn boring at all

they went into OT and then a SO

very exciting

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

If the trap was leading to lots of scoring chances, it wouldn't be so bad. That would still give some thrills. But once they get up a goal, offense almost ceases to exist. Unless an error leads to a good opportunity, it's just dump and cycle from there on in. Most media types I read or listen to acknowledge Minnesota as playing a "one goal" game. It's a shame, because they do have talent.

Besides their initial big run at the Cup with the trap, they haven't really gone anywhere since. The value of the system could be questioned. It's been enough of a headache that most teams have a counter.

My roomate and I watched the game down at the pub last night. It was about as dead there as it looked at the Garage. After the stats for the third period came up (I think there were six shots in total between the two teams - some ridiculously low number, anyways) my roomie, who was knocking them back pretty quick since there wasn't much game to watch, began loudly referring to JL as 'a stain on the game' for taking all the fun out of it, rant rant rant. A british guy nearby laughed and said he couldn't imagine that style of play surviving in any other sport. "Can you imagine Man U playing the trap and dump for half a game? Their fans would start a f'ing riot, mate..."

The comment made me think. The TV mentioned that the Wild have sold out almost every home game since they came into being. Do Wild fans find their hockey exciting? Do they just like the success? As long as the fans support it, there's no cause for change.

As a Fan of the Wild, I can't say that I find the trap exciting to watch, but for every person slamming JL and his coaching style, there are just as many claiming he is a genious. However, in JL's defense...There isn't a lot of tallent on the team to work with. Gaborik, Rolston, maybe PMB...The def group isn't that good at all. Manny and Roli were decient tandem, but when one would have a good year, the other would struggle.

Every guy on the team is someone elses castoff or failed experiment. Our team is full of Role Players, with only one real star. Imagine if Gabby had a guy like Brad Richards (one trade rumor this year) to help set him up. He could have easily hit 50g this season. The team has a bunch of tallent in the minors, but they never get a chance to play because of slugs like Dupuis, Veilleux and Daigle.

For the record, the Xcel Center has been sold out for every game since the NHL came back to MN. The group that owns the team has been getting rich of the fans in MN and there are a TON of WILD.COM mb posts to prove the discontent of those same fans. When the NHL came back to MN, Risebrough promised to deliver a team that could be playoff contender in 5yrs and consistent playoff team after that. Many fans are tired of JL and Risebrough. If the Wild do not open the check book this off season and give guys like Gabby and Rolston some real help, there may be a chance that the Sell Out streak could end.

The success realy isn't there either. The Wild are basically a .500 hockey team. That isn't good enough to get into the playoffs in the West and it is too good to get a top pick in the draft.

I am a hockey fan and the Wild are my team. I will be a fan of the team forever. I don't have to like the way the team is run or coached though...

I have seen PMBouchard and Brad Richards play in Quebec junior league couple of years ago and I'll tell you something, PM is better. If the Wild doesn't want to make Bouchard play more than just trade him to Montreal. He wasn't draft 8th overall for nothing, the guy has tremendous skills.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Pressure? Wasn't Richards the MVP for the Stanley Cup last time we had hockey?

[mack 44]

No, not then. Granted the last couple years before the lockout it was boring, but ALL the NHL was boring at that point.

I can see the reasons of frustration, I mean I'd be frothing over making the playoffs too if it hasn't happened in damn-near a decade.

[mack 44]

Theo it's almost Easter, shouldn't you be getting ready for your resurrection?

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

Brad Richards is one of the best centers in the league, Kovy! Although he doesn't have as much pressure being second line center.

It's to say how PM is great, he may lack of strenght though but if the Wild would give him more confidence he would put numbers as high as Richards IMO.

[Cavs019 708]

The Devils were damn entertaining when they were running that Elias-Sykora-Arnott line

[Eazy_b97 1]

Brad Richards is one of the best centers in the league, Kovy!  Although he doesn't have as much pressure being second line center.

It's to say how PM is great, he may lack of strenght though but if the Wild would give him more confidence he would put numbers as high as Richards IMO.

To date, Richards worst scoring year is better than PM's best scoring year (including what he is on pace for this season). I like PM, but he isn't on Richard's level. Richards was one of, if not the best Canadian at the olympics this year. I didn't even think PM was the best player on Canada when he played for us at the WJC.

[CardinalHcky19 0]

Gaborik had a hat trick and an assist last night agianst the Avs

[tjl_48 0]

The wild better go out and spend some money this off season. I'm tired of watching the most boring team in hockey. It's driving me nuts. I'm starting to wonder about Lemaire.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Apperantly Gaborik has said he wants an open style where he can roam free to play in. Whether it's in Minny or not.