Player Discussion Mikko Koivu (Part II)

[BigT2002]

I liken them Retiring it to the teams that have never won a cup. However, even the Sedin's played in a Stanley Cup Final at least.

List of National Hockey League retired numbers - Wikipedia

When you look at that list, there are two trains of thought I guess:

1) Your team's player either took you to the Promise Land or made it to the HHOF

or

2) Your team honored a player who emphasized your organizations style of play and was a integral part to your success and/or identity


For the longest time, I felt retiring "9" would be a pandering move to appease the fanbase as we've never seen a glorified superstar on the team. Koivu was effectively "it" every year in those rough patches after Gaborik dipped out to New York and before Parise/Suter became complimentary stars to him. However, when you look back at the early 2000's, Koivu was exactly what #2 is. He was the identity of the Minnesota Wild. When you thought of the Wild, you thought of a defensive battle with forwards and that goal scoring was going to be hard. PK was going to be tough. Yes, that probably has changed quite a bit in the time since. But it wasn't always like that. Koivu was consistently put on some of those hyperstars we all wished were on this very team. Even as he aged, he never once appeared to complain that he wasn't getting the easy matchups.

 

[57special]

Retire the Jersey, wall of wonder, Hall of Fame, circle of hotness....I don't really care. Honor the guy as one of, if not the best player to have ever played for your team , while conducting himself with class and loyalty. See if can get Jacques back for the ceremony.

 

[Al Lagoon]

I liken them Retiring it to the teams that have never won a cup. However, even the Sedin's played in a Stanley Cup Final at least.

List of National Hockey League retired numbers - Wikipedia

Look at that list and see:

Dit Clapper (great hockey name): similar long career with one team. He won 3 cups and was a 3 time all-star.

Jere Lehitnen - fellow Finn with similar career, oh, but he won 3 Selkes.

I don't care enough to look through the whole list, but besides the examples I've cited, most these folks got some silverware on the resume. Granted, it was easier in a smaller league, but still.

I remember the discussion that the Wild should retire Wes Walz's number. Koivu is a better Walz. Aim higher.

Maybe in 2040, and the Wild still got nothing, yeah, honor Mikko.

 

[SEALBound]

Is he looking at retirement or is he looking to play another year?

With that...can he still place in a 3/4C capacity?

 

[Bazeek]

Is he looking at retirement or is he looking to play another year?

With that...can he still place in a 3/4C capacity?

No one really knows what his plans are. Russo seems skeptical that he won't be back next year, but his guess is probably as good as ours.

He's slow as hell but he's still good defensively and can win faceoffs. He'd make an okay 4C.

 

[ManwithNoIdentity]

I’m going to miss this guy so much

Him alone was what started my liking of a 2nd team

 

[BigT2002]

No one really knows what his plans are. Russo seems skeptical that he won't be back next year, but his guess is probably as good as ours.

He's slow as hell but he's still good defensively and can win faceoffs. He'd make an okay 4C.

Russo just posted an article that Koivu is going to field calls once FA opens up.

 

[Bazeek]

Russo just posted an article that Koivu is going to field calls once FA opens up.

Yup, I'm sure he'll get a few calls tomorrow.

 

[Minnewildsota]

I think this video sums up Koivu and his impact the greatest:



Don't remember how to do videos. If the above doesn't work, would take a reminder.

Also, a great reminder as to why some people are picked as captains, even though there's not a single event in which you can say "Oh, this is why".

 

[MuckOG]

It will be weird to see him wear a different team's uniform, but it was time for him to go.

 

[NHL1674]

This #@$%ing sucks!

 

[123TripleDoge]

Didn't he block any potential trades at the deadline? woulda been nice to get something for him. At least this should end the retiring his number debate if he signs elsewhere? Sounds like Flyers would be front runners

 

[thestonedkoala]

It will be weird to see him wear a different team's uniform, but it was time for him to go.

It was time for him to go 3 years ago.

 

[Aurinko]

Few years back, when Koivu was nominated and Bergeron grabbed the Selke, Koivu had 60% D-zone starts vs. Bergeron 40%. (They had the same ozone/dzone starts throughout their career.)

If you are a defensive forward, you will not get noticed.

 

[ThatGuy22]

Few years back, when Koivu was nominated and Bergeron grabbed the Selke, Koivu had 60% D-zone starts vs. Bergeron 40%. (They had the same ozone/dzone starts throughout their career.)

If you are a defensive forward, you will not get noticed.

Koivu was jobbed in that Selke vote. I hold a grudge to this day.

 

[Puhis]

Koivu was jobbed in that Selke vote. I hold a grudge to this day.

Yep. And people still hold BuT nO iNdIvIdUaL aWaRdS!111 against him to this day.

He was a very, very good hockey player for us. I hope that he gets to Philly this year. With GMCF and Yeo there, it would be a perfect fit.

 

[HotDish]

Few years back, when Koivu was nominated and Bergeron grabbed the Selke, Koivu had 60% D-zone starts vs. Bergeron 40%. (They had the same ozone/dzone starts throughout their career.)

If you are a defensive forward, you will not get noticed.

Yeah the Selke is dumb a lot of years since voters never really understand what defensive forwards really are. Voters seem to have criteria from all over the map ranging from takeaways to SHGs. Hell this year they advertised the nominations by showing their offensive highlights...

 

[Obvious Fabertism]

The year Kesler won was the year Mikko most deserved it in my opinion. Koivu was phenomenal all year defensively and clearly outplayed Kesler head to head. Kesler had one of his worst years defensively that year too, but he scored 40 goals and had the reputation so there you go.

 

[grN1g]

Oof. The goodbye mikko article hit me right in the feels. Somethings caught in my eye.

Good luck buddy.

 

[HotDish]

Any news on his signing? Seemed like Philly was going to sign him.

 

[Victorious Secret]

Koivu to Columbus?

 

[2Pair]

You can put the retired jersey to bed now.

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

Phew now Parise can be our first and only retired jersey

 

[Beastieboi]

Im happy for him that he deciding to keep playing. Hope he wins a cup.

 

[NHL1674]

Phew now Parise can be our first and only retired jersey

Ummm...not even close. Unless that was sarcasm that I missed.

Damnit, Mikko. You couldn't just go back home to play in Finland? Your time is running out....at least go to a Cup contender. Not the Jackets.