Koivu signs...official release

For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 15, 2010

MINNESOTA WILD SIGNS CENTER MIKKO
KOIVU THRU 2017-18 SEASON

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed team captain Mikko Koivu to a seven-year contract extension starting with the 2011-12 season thru the 2017-18 NHL campaign.

“I am pleased to announce that our captain, Mikko Koivu, has signed a seven-year contract extension which will keep him in a Wild uniform through the 2017-18 season,” said Fletcher. “This is an historic day for the Wild. Mikko is the flag in the ground that we will build our team around. He is our franchise player, an excellent leader and an exceptional hockey player.”

Koivu, 27 (3/12/83), led the Wild in points (71) and assists (49) for the second consecutive season and set new career highs in goals (22), assists and points in 2009-10. His assist total was one shy of the Wild record set by Pierre-Marc Bouchard in 2007-08 and his point total was the third highest in club history. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound center also led the team with 20 multi-point games. Koivu ranked second in the NHL in face-offs won, seventh in faceoffs taken and eighth in faceoff percentage (56.9). He also ranked tied for 16th in the NHL in assists, tied for 23^rd in scoring and 16^th amongst forwards in average time on ice (20:44).

He was named the first full-time captain in team history on Oct. 20, 2009 and has appeared in 362 games with Minnesota tallying 255 points (79-176=255) and 256 PIM in five seasons. Koivu owns 58 career multi-point games and the Wild is 42-11-5 in those contests. He ranks tied for second on the Wild’s all-time list in SHG (seven), third in assists, multi-point games and shots (884), fourth in points, fifth in goals and seventh in games played. Koivu has won 52.8% of faceoffs in his career.

He has represented Finland at the last two Winter Olympics recording four assists in six games to earn a bronze medal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and captured a silver medal at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. The native of Turku, Finland, was originally selected by Minnesota in the first round (No. 6) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

2010-2011 Season Tickets including new 10-game and 20-game partial season ticket plans are now available for select Lower Level and Treasure Island Resort & Casino Club level seats. More information on Season Tickets is available at www.wild.com, or by contacting a Wild Ticket Sales Representative at 651-222-WILD.

-- WILD --

3 of 4 not enough...today's a must win

Ordinarily, earning 3 of 4 points on the road against Western Conference opponents would be considered a successful road-trip. But because it is this late in the season and the Minnesota Wild are still trying to leapfrog a few teams in front of them in order to gain a playoff spot, leaving that 1 point on the ice was probably a fatal blow. You certainly can point out several other missed opportunities that will probably prove to have contributed to the downfall this season, but losing in a shootout to the worst team in the league has to rank near the top. Which makes today's game, followed by Tuesday's game, must win events. Today the team has a rematch of sorts with Calgary, the team the Wild posted a shutout against in the first game of that short road-trip. It was the teams first action since the long Olympic break so it was a nice way to start-up this season ending stretch. Minnesota did not look particularly sharp in that game but hey, a win is a win. Unfortunately the Wild followed that up with another mistake filled game against the league's bottom-dweller in Edmonton. From my vantage point, Minnesota did not play as badly as described by the local print-press, but hey, a loss is a loss. The only possible saving factor to that loss is that they did earn the 'free' point, but that is one of many points left on the ice that this team will undoubtedly point to if they fail to earn a top-eight conference standings position. Finally, after hosting the Flames this afternoon, the Wild again will be the home-team in a game against the Florida Panthers...in another (you guessed it) must win game.

Boogaard suspended

If ever there was a player who is not going to receive the 'benefit of the doubt', it is Derek Boogaard. His latest faux pas was of the knee-on-knee variety that earned him a two-game stint in the press box and $21,000 in pay. It was not necessarily a vicious hit, but considering who the player was to throw out that huge tree-like limb, it does not come as a shock. What this means is that the leagues player with the longest goal drought streak going has 2 less games to light that lamp.

400

Today will mark the franchises 400 consecutive sellout, which includes every game that the Wild have played in the Xcel Energy Center. Now much has been made of the sellout streak and it has been reported that the NHL basis sellouts on ticket distribution rather than tickets sold so it is a hedge-like stat. But the fact does remain that this team is filling the seats on a consistent basis, which is a credit to the fans considering where this team has been and is at, as far as standings go, in recent seasons. This steak is the longest current streak and third longest all-time in the NHL.

Longest Recorded NHL Sellout Streaks

• 487 – Colorado Avalanche


• 452 – Detroit Red Wings


• 399 – Minnesota Wild


• 359 – Buffalo Sabres

Belanger scores

Recently traded and former Wild center Eric Belanger scored his first goal as a new member of the Washington Capitals. It was his second game with his new team and the goal puts him within 3 points of his career high in points.

Missing gloves and sticks

It seems some lucky fan has a gem in the sweaty gloves and used stick that scored the winning goal in the Olympic Gold Medal game. Reebok Canada is offering a $10,000 reward, no questions asked, for the return of the stick and gloves Sidney Crosby used to score in overtime in Canada's Olympic championship victory over the United States. So desperate are they to get the gear back, they have even set up an 'email hot-line' with the hopes that the opportunistic entrepreneur will bite on the low-ball reward.

Still thin at 'C' position

I was never sold on the value of Eric Belanger, however the numbers he has posted to date this season were improved and much needed for our on the outside looking in team. He currently is only 3 points away from a career high and he brought energy and jump to the rink in every game and every shift. However, the self proclaimed 'top line' center who was moved to the Capitals today in exchange for a 2nd rounder in this summers draft, was just another ordinary center...a 'dime-a-dozen' position player that can be replaced. He is interchangeable simply because he was playing a line or two above his abilities. He is not a top-line player as he once stated, and it is a stretch to even consider him as a second line center. This is not a knock on Belanger as a player, but instead a shot at the Wild, who once again are being exposed up the middle...a need that has been present for several seasons.

Anyway, the official release is below...

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 3, 2010

MINNESOTA WILD ACQUIRES SECOND-ROUND PICK FROM WASHINGTON CAPITALS IN EXCHANGE FOR C ERIC BELANGER

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired a second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Eric Belanger.

Belanger, 32 (12/16/77), has posted 35 points (13-22=35) in 60 games this season, while ranking seventh in the NHL with a 57.6 faceoff percentage. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, has recorded 293 points (119-174=293) in 617 NHL games in nine NHL seasons with Los Angeles, Carolina, Atlanta and Minnesota.

For more information on single game ticket packages, including this Sunday’s game against the Calgary Flames, visit www.wild.com/ticketpacks.

-- WILD --

Follow the Minnesota Wild on Twitter and Facebook.

The let-down begins

It is hard to argue that this latest Olympic hockey tournament was the best ever. It featured & displayed arguably the best players in the world who played at neck-break speeds & passion that has never been seen. The outcome, although great, does not match that of the 1980 Miracle team, as that was a different time and under different circumstances, but it does top that event because of the level of play that was display for the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, it did not end with an American victory as Team Canada needed overtime to end the Gold Medal hopes of Team USA. Not bad for a bunch of overachievers that carried only a couple of players that were deemed worthy enough to play for our 'friends' to the North...yeah whatever O-Canada. At any rate, it was a great finish to a great tournament and left fans craving more.

The hockey that we just witnessed over this two-week period was nothing short of spectacular and may never be repeated again, in the short-term, as in four years from now. It has yet to be determined if the NHL and it's players union will be able to forge an agreement that will allow such a display in 2014 when the next Winter Games are held and hosted by Sochi Russia. So now the let-down begins. I am as excited as the next fan to have our NHL teams up and running again. But if you are expecting the kind of hockey that was just witnessed, think again. While it is true that the majority of the Olympic rosters were filled with NHL'ers, the quality of play will not be that same once the league gets cranked back up. While the intensity may reach levels of the Winter Games because most teams are entering their 'playoff mode', the skill will be lacking. After all, NHL rosters are not filled top to bottom with the kind of quality players we just watched.

Speaking of NHL'ers in 2014...

The Wild's chase in the Western Conference is foremost on fans minds now that the Olympic torch has been extinguished but since we are fresh of the games, the thoughts in the international community may be turning towards whether or not they will see our NHL players in 2014. You read in a post here earlier that I don't like seeing my favorite team and league shut down for an extended period of time. First off, it smells of that same 'second-class' league stench that is never seen in the other 3 major league organizations. Imagine for a minute the NFL shutting down for anything other than a labor dispute. It just would not happen. Secondly, if you did not notice, the NHL was in the midst of stepping into the fire in terms of playoff positioning & conference races and closing the doors for weeks is not exactly the way to keep the momentum going. I know the owners and front office folks would agree with me on this but the true revenue generators, the players, would not subscribe to my opinion. Yes, I loved the hockey that made up the Olympics but the timing could not be worse. It is unfortunate that during the games, the NHL season is revved up and really poised for some great playoff positioning battles. And throw into the mix that the NHL is only sharing the stage with the NBA at this time of year, so competition from other professional leagues is low.

Earlier, my idea was to 'let the amateurs play'...but after watching this latest tournament, I have to rescind that thought, with a caveat. Unless they can come up with a way to allow NHL players in the Olympics without disrupting the NHL season to the degree that it did this time around, I have to continue to disagree.

Wild hits will continue...Clutterbuck signs extension

Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher continued solidifying a foundation for the future with the signing of Cal Clutterbuck today. Clutterbuck was scheduled to become a restricted free agent at seasons end, but with no mystery as to whether the 'hitting machine' would return...he signed a 3-year extension.

Below is the release along with a few notes from my inbox...

• The Wild (30-27-4) is in 13th position in the Western Conference, but is only five points behind eighth-place Calgary, with a game in hand. The Wild faces the Flames four times in its final 21 games.


• Minnesota carried a 6-4-0 mark in its last 10 games before the Olympic Break.


• The Wild plays 10 of its final 21 games at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota is 21-8-2 at home – the sixth-best points percentage of any NHL team at home.
• Minnesota will tie a franchise record playing 16 games in March (all in the final 29 days).


• The Wild plays nine of its final 21 games against teams not currently in playoff position
  

For Immediate Release
Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010

MINNESOTA WILD SIGNS RW CAL CLUTTERBUCK TO A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed RW Cal Clutterbuck to a three-year contract extension. Clutterbuck will be available to the media upon the conclusion of today’s 10:30 a.m. practice at St. Thomas Arena.

“Cal is an intense competitor who has quickly become a fan favorite with the Wild,” Fletcher said. “We look forward to watching his development for years to come.”

Clutterbuck, 22 (11/18/87), set the NHL’s single-season hits mark in 2008-09 with 356, and again leads the NHL this season with 252 hits. Clutterbuck has recorded a career-high 12 goals in 54 games this season, while also tying his career-high with 18 points. The 5-foot-11, 213-pound native of Welland, Ont., has posted 36 points (23-13=36) and 110 penalty minutes in 134 games over two-plus seasons with the Wild. Clutterbuck was the Wild’s third-round pick (No. 72 overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Great seats are still available for all Minnesota Wild home games including Tuesday, March 9 when the Wild hosts the Florida Panthers. For more information on single game ticket packages visit www.wild.com/ticketpacks.

-- WILD --

Follow the Minnesota Wild on Twitter and Facebook.

Interesting Swiss takes

I for one was not alarmed by the scores of the opening Olympic men's hockey games. It played out as it should have, and the fact that Russia and namely the host team, Canada, both put up 8-spots on their opponents and won handily, while the US v Switzerland 3-1 game was much closer, was of no concern. However, what was alarming & concerning was the way that the media handled that narrow US victory. It seems that because two of the favorites in the tournament, Canada & Russia, easily strolled through their opening game, the US slim 3-1 win was looked at with skepticism and a wink as an accomplishment. The words used following that game were similar to 'well it looks as if the US needs some work'. The Swiss team put up a good fight, they said, but were certainly no match for the teams that were lined with NHL talent. And because of this, it was widely reported that our team got a little lucky.

Fast-forward to last night when that same Switzerland team rode Canada through overtime, before eventually falling in a shootout. It was a very entertaining and a great game to watch but funny, all of a sudden those same television commentators & reporters had nothing but praise for the Swiss. It was not a slip by the mighty Canadian team but instead a 'gutsy' performance by the now not so under-matched team from the Alps. Instead of criticizing Team Canada, which is the way it played out for Team USA, the tables turned to praise for the Swiss...which should have been the case in the first game between the US and Switzerland.

There should be no debate on who has the more high-profile roster between the US and our friends to the North, as it seems pretty obvious. However, there should also be no double standard because after all, they both carry star-studded rosters consisting of the best that there is. But what irks me is that the media does use that double talk, when it seems to be plain as day after watching both games...the Swiss have a fast, big & physical, and very skilled hockey team that is above all, very determined.

Notes about nothing

Wild Olympic connections

Our Minnesota Wild, although not represented in big numbers in the Olympic Games, are making an impact for their respective teams. Mikko Koivu leads the way, as his 3 assists helped Finland defeat Belarus 5-1. Martin Havlat & Marek Zidlicky, representing the Czech Republic, both netted assists in their 3-1 win over Slovakia. Finally, the teams last Olympian, Niklas Backstrom, expects to get the start for his Finish teams' second game tomorrow night.

New sports radio station in town

Finally, a little bit of competition for KFAN, the areas only all-sports radio station. Now on the Fan, there are several enjoyable shows that are hosted by entertaining personalities. However, there is one show in particular that has absolutely tanked, leading back to the days when one of it's co-hosts was taken off the air. The only problem is that what is offered under the new all-sports format at AM 1500 KSTP is not any better during this same time slot. The Colin Cowherd show is no show at all, but instead a non-stop rant of what the host likes and dislikes. It is similar to our own 9 to noon show in that the host pretends to know more than they do and comes off sounding more uniformed than if they were to simply admit to what they did not know. The one thing that gives hope however is that KSTP's new programming is a work in progress and will hopefully improve with time...as down the dial, it seems that the 'voice' will remain stagnant as long as he is the voice. As for the 'local' programming provided by KSTP, it is just OK. Mr. Phunn has hooked up with the station, as he was a former side-kick to HiFi at the Fan, and he is a good one to listen to. Other than that, it is much of the same from Reusse and Soucheray, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The form a good team and listeners now can listen to their weekend sports talk show during the week.

It is obvious that things are not set yet with KSTP...but it is already a nice alternative to the 'leader'.

Why the NBA is a joke

I heard former Wolves coach and VP Kevin McHale today and he matter-of-factly stated during his interview that all NBA teams pace themselves during the season until the all-star break. Really, they don't always play hard? Or to win either. It is coming down to that time of year when teams will literally play to lose. That draft pick is much more important than integrity and self respect. And the fans don't condemn this idea but instead promote it. Only in the NBA, a league that is disguised as a 'team' sport.

Olympic Schedule

A few weeks is a life-time to go without the NHL...but fortunately the reason for the break is so that we can see the best in the world on the ice. Below is a thumbnail schedule of the games...

February 16
Group A		3-1
Group A		8-0
Group B		8-2
February 17
Group C		5-1
Group C		2-0
Group B		3-1
February 18
Group A		6-1
Group A		2-3
Group B		2-1
February 19
Group C		2-4
Group B		5-2
Group C		5-0
February 20
Group A		4-5
Group B		0-6
Group C		3-5
February 21
Group B		4-2
Group A		3-5
Group C		3-0
February 23
Qualification		3-2
Qualification		8-2
Qualification		3-2
Qualification		4-3
February 24
Quarterfinal		2-0
Quarterfinal		3-7
Quarterfinal		2-0
Quarterfinal		3-4
February 26
Semifinal		6-1
Semifinal		3-2
February 27
Bronze Medal		5-3
February 28
Gold Medal		2-3