 |
 |
Offthepost (Generation II)
ATTENTION: OFFTHEPOST.NET NO LONGER EXISTS AS A URL. The old site had to be closed. Please reset your bookmarks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick in New York
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 58
Location: New York
|
 Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:20 pm Post subject: Wild Sold? Presser called for this afternoon |
 |
|
According to a couple different Twin Cities news channels the team has a press conference for today at 12:30 pm CST to announce the sale.
Speculation is that it will be Craig Leipold, late of the Predators and long-rumored to be slow-dancing with current Wild owner Bob Naegele. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the New Cunning Linguist
Failed Bandwagon Opportunist
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1236
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2508
Location: Saskatoon!
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've never heard a peep about the current Wild owner, which is usually a good thing.
_________________
It's backwards time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E.L.
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1135
Location: Go Giants!
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Leipold hung in there in Crashville as long as he could, so his commitment to hockey shouldn't be questioned.
That being said, he doesn't have deep pockets, and he and Bettman had a skirmish over this deal. As a way to discourage Leipold from selling to the Preds to bidders other than Boots, Bettman promised Craiggers first crack at the Wild ownership (because at that point the Wild owner was looking to sell). The thing is he promised Craiggers a lower price, and jacked it up at the last minute. I guess that was resolved.
Every single ownership move in the NHL has been done in the back rooms; I think at this point the strippers involved have become de-facto experts in the CBA.
_________________
Beat my drum down in Mexico! To Tijuana, Tijuana here we go!
  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick in New York
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 58
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| the New Cunning Linguist wrote: |
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S308983.shtml?cat=1
Is this being seen as good news in Minnesota, Nick? |
By all accounts Leipold is a big hockey guy, who, as an owner, lets his people do their jobs in peace. Apparently he used to fly from his home in Wisconsin down to Nashville for every home game.
What's unclear (apart from confirmation that it's actually Leipold!!) is whether or not the current majority owner (Naegele) will maintain a stake in the team.
Remember that Naegele is seen as the figurehead for the NHL returning to Minnesota. He's from Minny, loves Minny, he's a cult hero-status Son of Minnesota.
I don't think Wild fans would be upset if he were no longer affiliated with the team, but I like the idea that he's still around - in an official capacity - nonetheless.
As far as the team from here on, it all depends on Leipold's vision. I believe the Wild, in the Naegele regime, have been building the right way. I'm still willing to forego deep runs into the playoffs for continuous, slow, steady growth into a perennial Cup contender (a la Ottawa). If the new owner is going to want to move in another direction many Wild fans are going to be very curious as to just what direction that is before they jump on board. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2508
Location: Saskatoon!
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Leipold built the same way in Nashville, so I don't think that's a problem.
I do think by now, though, the Wild should be more consistent and making a bigger jump. I suppose Nashville had an easier schedule with their division, but I still expected more out of Minny than this so far.
_________________
It's backwards time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick in New York
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 58
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| saskhab wrote: |
Leipold built the same way in Nashville, so I don't think that's a problem.
I do think by now, though, the Wild should be more consistent and making a bigger jump. I suppose Nashville had an easier schedule with their division, but I still expected more out of Minny than this so far. |
My biggest complaint is that they have missed on a couple #1 draft picks so far (Pouliot and Thelen).
I'm sure Blue Jackets fans would gladly swap their zero playoff series since birth for our four. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2508
Location: Saskatoon!
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Nick in New York wrote: |
| saskhab wrote: |
Leipold built the same way in Nashville, so I don't think that's a problem.
I do think by now, though, the Wild should be more consistent and making a bigger jump. I suppose Nashville had an easier schedule with their division, but I still expected more out of Minny than this so far. |
My biggest complaint is that they have missed on a couple #1 draft picks so far (Pouliot and Thelen).
I'm sure Blue Jackets fans would gladly swap their zero playoff series since birth for our four. |
No doubt. I just think that on paper, the Wild should be performing better. The talent is there for them to make a run up the standings and stay there, IMO.
_________________
It's backwards time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2496
Location: Your own blue line!
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| saskhab wrote: |
No doubt. I just think that on paper, the Wild should be performing better. The talent is there for them to make a run up the standings and stay there, IMO. |
It's there, but as we've said before it's really a mystery as to why this team is so dependant on Gaborik being in the lineup to be a good team, and completely suck when he isn't there.
Nick, any word as to why Naegele wants out? The 100+ million increase in franchise value is enough for him to cash out?
_________________
Bring back the old OTP!
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick in New York
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 58
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Bosc Ulrich II wrote: |
| saskhab wrote: |
No doubt. I just think that on paper, the Wild should be performing better. The talent is there for them to make a run up the standings and stay there, IMO. |
It's there, but as we've said before it's really a mystery as to why this team is so dependant on Gaborik being in the lineup to be a good team, and completely suck when he isn't there.
Nick, any word as to why Naegele wants out? The 100+ million increase in franchise value is enough for him to cash out? |
Agreed that they're underperforming their "on paper" potential. Agreed that they have this ridiculous over-reliance on Gaborik.
Apparently - and I didn't know this until today - he wants to pursue the golf and other leisure activities afforded him in his non-Minnesota residence in Naples, FL on a more permanent (or at least full-time) basis.
But, as you say, one would suspect the 100% increase in the value of the franchise from when he bought it to now would also be a pretty good motivator.
Further, my GUESS is that Leipold is a guy who would appeal to Naegele. I read that Naegele will maintain a minority interest in MS&E - which underscores his desire to keep NHL hockey in the state forever. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2508
Location: Saskatoon!
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I don't expect Leipold will rock the boat too much.
One other thing of note between Minny and Nashville is how each has only had one GM and one Head Coach, so stability is common ground between the two owners here.
Completely unrelated, but has there been any talks about Schultz re-signing?
_________________
It's backwards time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick in New York
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 58
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| saskhab wrote: |
I don't expect Leipold will rock the boat too much.
One other thing of note between Minny and Nashville is how each has only had one GM and one Head Coach, so stability is common ground between the two owners here.
Completely unrelated, but has there been any talks about Schultz re-signing? |
Not publicly, though that means I also don't know if they talked and mutually agreed to wait until after the season.
I think he's the #1 priority re-signing right now among the pending UFA/RFAs. You can have Bouchard, and if Rolston or Demo gets greedy (Rolston would be more justified in that than Demitra, IMO) then don't let the doorknob hit you in the butt on the way out.
But Schulz has the ability to be one of the top defensive defensemen in the entire league. Sort of Adam Foote in his prime, but without the nasty streak. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
saskhab
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2508
Location: Saskatoon!
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, what's amazing with Schultz is that he's been a top 4 blueliner for 4 years already and is only 25. His development has been probably the quitest amongst young players in the NHL in that time period.
_________________
It's backwards time. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2496
Location: Your own blue line!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
