The Boogeyman makes the Wild!

[Bookman]

Looks like Derek Boogaard will make his NHL debut in Calgary. Of course, having Gaborik, O'Sullivan, and Koivu hurt helped make this possible, but who would have guessed when he was drafted that he'd ever skate a shift in the NHL.

Minnesota's probable opening lineup of forwards, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

a checking unit of Walz between Stephane Veilleux and Matt Foy; Marc Chouinard centering Alexandre Daigle and Pascal Dupuis; Todd White centering Derek Boogaard and Kyle Wanvig; and Rolston back at center with Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Andrei Nazarov.

Welcome to Minnesota Todd White - you won't be skating with the likes of Alfredsson any mooorrrrre!

Click to read more...

 

[Avery4Byng*]

This guy is/was one of THE WORST skaters and hockey players I have ever seen. Although he is big and rather tough..... WOW.

 

[fullmetalninja]

Is Gaborik for sure out?

-fullmetalninja

 

[NyCoN]

Is Gaborik for sure out?

-fullmetalninja

Yes...He will be out for at least the first 2 games...maybe more.

 

[incawg]

a checking unit of Walz between Stephane Veilleux and Matt Foy; Marc Chouinard centering Alexandre Daigle and Pascal Dupuis; Todd White centering Derek Boogaard and Kyle Wanvig; and Rolston back at center with Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Andrei Nazarov.

uhhhhhhhhhhh...so which is the first line? seriously, that is pretty scary

 

[TeamSeals]

uhhhhhhhhhhh...so which is the first line? seriously, that is pretty scary

umm the one with... ummm... is there another option?
which line has shultz on it? that would be my guess for top line

 

[thestonedkoala]

Daigle - Choiunard - Dupuis
Bouchard - Rolston - Nazarov
Veilleux - Walz - Foy (could be first line)
Boogaard - White - Wanvig

Boogaard looked damn good in his preseason game against Chicago. He has a ways to go but at least he's getting a good taste of the NHL and hopefulyl next year he'll stick.

Not a BAD roster against a physical Calgary team either.

 

[MrMastodonFarm*]

.
Not a BAD roster against a physical Calgary team either.

The roster is bad-decent, but it is Lemaire so who knows.

Also, isn't Todd White still out with a concussion?

 

[hockeyfan125]

Minnesota will be in for a long season..

 

[Epsilon]

A dark day in the history of the NHL...

 

[thestonedkoala]

A dark day in the history of the NHL...

What? You mean McSorley is making a come back?

 

[Pokecheque]

With the exception of Walz and Bouchard, that's a really, really BIG lineup. No one's gonna mess with the likes of them.

Still, I felt Minny made a mistake when they added some size to the lineup at the expense of their speed last season. I can't imagine Boogaard and Chouinard are all that fast.

 

[thestonedkoala]

The roster is bad-decent, but it is Lemaire so who knows.

Also, isn't Todd White still out with a concussion?

Got me, maybe he won't be playing a lot...

 

[thestonedkoala]

With the exception of Walz and Bouchard, that's a really, really BIG lineup. No one's gonna mess with the likes of them.

Still, I felt Minny made a mistake when they added some size to the lineup at the expense of their speed last season. I can't imagine Boogaard and Chouinard are all that fast.

Boogaard isn't fast but he isn't THAT slow by any means. He has gotten better over the years and with training in the different leagues (ECHL, AHL)...I don't see the problem with Boogaard. I mean guys like Brooksbank, Peters, and other enforcers have made it into the NHL. They all have to start somewhere. I like Boogaard, personally over Nazarov and Johnson.

The problem is, Minnesota is missing some guys so until then, these call-ups and such are all that we are relying on. Voloshenko, Olvecky, and the others aren't ready.

 

[MrMastodonFarm*]

Got me, maybe he won't be playing a lot...

Found this link
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/colleges/mercer/12800940.htm

Center Todd White has not been cleared to return since sustaining a concussion nearly two weeks ago.

Well, unless he is cleared tonight or early tommorow, looks like Todd White is out too?

 

[Dirk316]

A useless talentless good for nothing stupid goon
This spot should be used for a 16yr european prospect with a viser!!

 

[Bookman]

Keep in mind that in a month or so, the names Boogaard, Foy and Wanvig will likely be replaced by Gaborik, Koivu, O'Sullivan - less size, much more speed and skill.

 

[thestonedkoala]

A useless talentless good for nothing stupid goon
This spot should be used for a 16yr european prospect with a viser!!

I could say that about any enforcer in the NHL...

 

[Wild Thing]

I'm really ashamed to be a Wild fan today. This kid should never skate a shift in the NHL as far as I'm concerned. All 3 Hansen brothers rolled into one, but with none of their skill.

 

[thestonedkoala]

^ Not really Thing...He isn't Puriton ...Boogaard has a year or two to go. I don't remember him doing ANYTHING that dirty and his skating has picked up in the last couple of years.

 

[MisterUnspoken]

Dale Purinton for Derek Boogard? Come on....

 

[thestonedkoala]

Hell no! Boogaard, as I said, needs some seasoning in the AHL...but he's come a long way.

 

[Michael Morbid]

^ Not really Thing...He isn't Puriton ...Boogaard has a year or two to go. I don't remember him doing ANYTHING that dirty and his skating has picked up in the last couple of years.

Haha didn't he punch some goalie after a game who was trying to pickup the game puck?

 

[thestonedkoala]

^ I have no idea...

 

[HSHS]

Hell no! Boogaard, as I said, needs some seasoning in the AHL...but he's come a long way.

I'd hate to see it when it was bad then. IMHO, Boggy, Foy, Wanvig, and Veilluex have no business on NHL squads.

That being said, these players, including Burns and Koivu really grew on me last year and I will root on the side for the Wild. But with a line-up like the one posted earlier, it doesn't make my Caps look as bad.