ScottM

He took Blais' job!!!

As good as place as any ... but perhaps the SL leadership has more pressing issues to address than the Sioux moniker. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/us/child-welfare-dangers-seen-on-spirit-lake-reservation.html?_r=1&hp&pagewanted=all

IIRC it was pretty common knowledge in college hockey circles after Zach signed his LOI and came to campus. I believe I also read a reference to it in "Remembering Herbie".

Parise's jock? The guy probably couldn't lift it.

Well, I don't really care what the new nickname will be, or if there even is a new one. I bought a bunch of stuff with the Sioux moniker yesterday from the Sioux Shop.

And if we slump in the early part of the season, we can expect the "Fire Hakstol" and "Bring back Blais" threads to sprout like weeds.

Some goofball Strib columnist made a comment about Suter and Parise making the "unfortunate choice" to attend Wisco and UND. Yeah, Parise following Brooks' advice must still burn the POI crowd to no end.

I think you can blame Herb Brooks for that one to some degree.

The worst part of this is that I may actually have to watch the Wild and their god-awful uniforms on a more regular basis. The best part is I finally have a reason to move to a Roku device and stream the NHL Center Ice package.

I sometimes wonder if the parochialism often exhibited by the Minnesota pro clubs gets in the way of smart business decisions.

I agree. Good deal for Minnesota. Frankly, I'm surprised the Wild would pony up this much money for two guys, especially with a reported $20MM going out the door in signing boni for Suter and Parise. It'll be interesting to see how they handle other players from a financial aspect, as well as the "supporting cast".

Who?

He should definitely get that signing bonus before he gets married. Just sayin' ...

Agreed. I like "Redskins" myself ...

I tend to agree, and I think that level of consistent mediocrity comes from the ownership and management. The Wild is becoming a burial ground for generally talented players who are hampered by poor coaching and stingy, uncreative management. Sort of like the other pro teams around MSP. When I lived in Mpls, I shared Wild season tickets with some friends. We wore North Stars garb, and generally only went to see the other teams actually play hockey.

Regardless of them passing on Parise, hockey's still a business and Zach knows that. Otherwise he would already signed with NJ and taken his chances with their "interesting" finances. You forgot to mention that Rocky Wirtz runs the show now that Dollar Bill is fertilizing daisies. (The United Center crowd booing during Dollar Bill's "moment of silence" still makes me smile.) Trade Kane and you have about $13MM in cap space. Neither Toews or Parise is above wearing an A or nothing if they can wear a Ring. That said, it's a long shot for him to end up in Chicago. But stranger things have happened ... Edit: While I'm thinking about it ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEHxmxXDhhM

I always thought trading Kane to get Parise would be an interesting play by Wirtz and Bowman.

It's a good question to ask. I haven't seen any moves, yet, where the Wild seem intent on "ramping up" with 2-3 year contracts for a Cup run. Chicago did it before they won the Cup, and then shed a lot of their payroll after the parade ended. Detroit, Philly, Pittsburgh and the Rangers, even though he said he wouldn't play there, seemed to have moved in that "one hit wonder" direction. Same with the Kings last year. Of course, it would be fun to see Zach jawing back at John Tortorella on the bench.

I'd go with Detroit since he's made some pretty positive comments about their organization in the past. I'd say $90MM is a good start, since Suter is apparently looking around $100MM, or so the internets tell me.

Durr ... helicopters ... sheep ... conspiracy ... Free Masons ... durrr ... McDonalds' secret sauce ... frequency ... Kenneth ... durr ... /courtesy of Google Translations

Good grief, if you think Minneapolis, or the MSP metro, is "unsafe". you should obviously stay home. And double-bolt the doors.

Maybe a newspaper poll can also settle the eternal debate of "Less Filling" versus "Tastes Great" ...

Oh really? http://www.outlawsmc.com/ As a practical matter, there's no way in hell UND will get such an "inappropriate" nickname. I expect something bland and boring kinda like what they did with "The Wild" ... whatever that is.

Considering it's Kolpack, the "poll" will probably still be spun to favor 'su.

It's an incorporated entity that sets the campus apart from South Bend, even though most people don't see the distinction.