Why the Wild placed Veilleux on waivers

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

"We are far apart in our evaluation and Steph really believes in a higher number," Lynn said. "So here's a way of figuring out who's right: 'If you're right, you'll be taken off waivers and paid your X dollars by another team.'

"If we're right and he goes through waivers, Steph will see nobody claimed him and it might bring the sides together and solve the problem before [Veilleux's] arbitration [hearing Monday]."

Read the entire story here.

Tom Lynn is known for his tough negotiating, which is why I didn't understand why Veilleux opted to negotiate his own contract.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard could end up being dealt

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Another big thing to pay attention to is Pierre-Marc Bouchard. I’m not convinced the Wild wants to commit to him long-term at a price that would be equivalent to taking someone’s unrestricted free-agent status (he’s restricted this summer, but one summer from unrestricted free agency).

In other words, as the below quote from Doug Risebrough on June 13 seems to forecast, there’s no doubt the Wild has offered Bouchard a long-term deal. But if the offer isn’t substantial, I see Bouchard turning it down, the two working out a one-year deal before the July 28 arbitration date and then the Wild looking to continue trying to trade Bouchard for the rest of the summer and/or after Jan. 1.(Here’s Risebrough’s quote from last month: “I’m interested in signing him long-term, but what I’m interested in doing and what he’s interested in doing might not be the same, and my number long-term and his number long-term might not be the same.”)

Read the entire entry from Russo's Rants here.

With the way things are going, it looks like Bouchard will sign a one-year contract and then be traded mid-season.

Benoit Pouliot should read the paper

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Benoit Pouliot hasn't checked out the Internet in some time, so the 21-year-old Wild center says he had no clue General Manager Doug Risebrough all but cemented him onto next season's team.

After signing wingers Owen Nolan and Antti Miettinen last week, Risebrough was asked about the glaring fact the Wild had only three centers on the roster -- Mikko Koivu, Eric Belanger and James Sheppard.

Risebrough said, "The [fourth] spot is Pouliot's. I feel it's more prudent right now just to give Pouliot an opportunity and see what he can do."

Read the rest of the article here.

Pouliot has taken longer to develop than the Wild may have thought, but this year is his chance to prove his worth. The Wild are thin at center, and if Pouliot can get off to a good start, then the team may not have to worry about adding another center to the roster.

Unhappy with the Wild's off-season

From Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Smith and his mentor would have found someone else if they had gone subterranean exploring in the past two weeks: Doug Risebrough, the president/GM of the Wild.

Risebrough was in the bargain basement's hockey section, up to his elbows in the squalor of stinking pads and broken sticks, trying to find bodies that he could pass off to his team's gullible consumers as real players.

Read the entire article here.

I have to disagree with Reusse. While it is true the Wild didn't put out a lot of money in the current marketplace, who is to say that is such a bad thing? This year's free agent class wasn't that strong, and the Wild would have probably been overpaying for a number of player's services. Instead, the team brought in more affordable talent in Andrew Brunette, Owen Nolan and traded for Marek Zidlicky. I understand those acquisitions won't blow the socks off the fan base, but the alternative may have been bad long-term contracts.

NHL Morning Papers--Western Conference (Monday Edition)

Here are the Pacific Division morning papers:

• Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register wonders which Ducks team will show up for the playoffs.
• "I think confidence is an attitude you have. We've had it at times, but right now we don't, and it's going to take more than just one game to get it back," said Stars captain Brenden Morrow about his team's recent struggles.

**There are no San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings or Phoenix Coyotes articles this morning**

Here are the Central Division morning papers:

• Red Wings coach Mike Babcock calls his team the best team he's ever coached. With such a big lead in the Western Conference, the Wings are going to make sure they get the necessary rest prior to the playoffs.
• The Predators have been happy with the consistency of their top two scorers, writes John Glennon.
• The Blues found a way to lose yesterday, writes Jeremy Rutherford.
• The Blue Jackets specialty teams have been below par, writes Tom Reed.
• With Sunday afternoon's come-from-behind win in overtime, the Blackhawks have moved to within four points of the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. After yesterday's game, Hawks coach Denis Savard had a few choice words for the Blues.

Here are the Northwest Division morning papers:

• Wild GM Doug Risebrough says the team will really miss Kurtis Foster. With his poor play as of late, Mark Parrish has been relegated to press box duty.
• The Flames got a day off yesterday in preparation for their big tilt tonight versus the Avalanche. If Kristian Huselius does not get his game together, the Flames could have a quick exit from the playoffs, writes Eric Francis.
• "You just never know. That's what makes it exciting, because the options are limitless. That's why you keep pecking away," said Oilers coach Craig MacTavish about his team's playoff chances. Meanwhile, John MacKinnon tells readers that Joni Pitkanen is not afraid to jump into the play and take a risk.
• Kevin Bieksa is still trying to find his pre-injury form, writes Ben Kuzma. The Canucks were given the weekend off from the rink, in order to be rested for the last games of the regular season.
• Adrian Dater of the Denver Post tells you five things that are currently wrong with the Avalanche.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com