Now it's time for a breakdown; don't hit this button just yet

People, people, people.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the voice of reason.

It is a bummer than Locke and Kolanos are gone. They did a lot of great and fun things for this team last year. And yes, it is a bit alarming that they team has not re-signed Beaudoin, Schultz and others.

But it is still early, and there are still a ton of free agent forwards out there. This is not a conspiracy to A) save money and B) let the team fail on the ice so it will be easy to move the affiliation to Des Moines next offseason.

Here is what I do know.

(UPDATE: Thanks to the anonymous poster, it does appear that both Jon DiSalvatore and Duncan Milroy have signed with the Wild and will provide good depth at forward for the Aeros this season.)

There are several players (free agent Aeros) that I have spoken to, and they all want to come back. A lot of that is out of their hands, but no one is running these guys out of town. I talked to someone that has a great pulse on what is going on with the Rangers organization and they told me that the AHL part of Corey Locke's contract will have him doingbetter than just "A-OK." And that put him out of the reach of most organizations looking for minor league depth. In other words, it wasn't going to happen.

Kolanos, and I hate to say this, really wore out his welcome with his attitude. Especially after he was sent down for good. For what it's worth, I don't think the phone lines were buzzing to his agent either. Sure he was injured down the stretch ... but there are people that believe he changed for the worse.

There is talk that some of the powers that be with the team are concerned about the Aeros lack of depth right now at forward. There is also talk among players and others that this could be the very best defensive corps the team has seen in a long, long time.

That in itself, I am sure, has motivated GM Jim Mill to work the phones and get some forward depth. I got a chance to talk to him, too, after he took the job, and he has very much been looking forward to building a team down at this level. He is working hard to put a good team in Houston and to do what is best for the Wild.

I will talk to him again today, so we will see what comes of that. (Obviously, I will ask about DiSalvatore and Milroy.)

Also, Kevin Constantine, who is getting re-married soon to his wonderful fiancee Val, knows how to get the most out of whatever team he is given. Just look at how entirely different the last two teams have been. Yet, they both finished 3rd in the division and had teams capable of making a run in the playoffs.

The '08 was great defensively, but could not find the back of the net against Rockford.
And the '09 team played better than expected with an unproven goalie with tons of injuries and still made one of their more memorable playoff runs in team history.

Trust the coach, give the new GM a chance and wait until the roster is final before pressing that big red button at the top of this blog.

All 4 RFAs accept qualifying offers

Well, on the heels of some disappointing exits for many fans, the (good?) news is that Robbie Earl, Clayton Stoner, Benoit Pouliot, and Danny Irmen have all accepted their qualifying offers from the Minnesota Wild.

So that's one more year from all of them to play either for the Aeros or Wild.

Krys Kolanos signs with Philly

First Locke, Rosa next and now it's bye-bye Krys Kolanos.
Surely there will be more news later, but as Fred pointed out, if you look on the Flyers nhl.com roster page, he is there complete with video highlights.

Someone within the organization told me not too long ago that they would be VERY surprised if the Wild brought him back. But his ability to score goals at this level, and in such a dramatic fashion at times, will very much be missed.

I can't think of too many other Aeros (ever) that had his ability to literally create something good out of absolutely nothing.

Fans in upstate New York will enjoy his presence.

Marco's series vs. Moose impressive, helps get him a good AHL deal

Here is the story from our friends at the Winnipeg Free Press.



Apparently, like some of us, they thought he was the best player in that series.

Again, more kudos to Mr. Rosa.

Marco To The Moose

The Aeros have lost another of their free agents as the Manitoba Moose announced today that they have signed Marco Rosa to an AHL contract.

I'd like to wish Marco luck with the Moose, except when he plays against the Aeros. He was always an easy guy for us to deal with in the locker room after games, and he seemed to be well-liked by his teammates. He also, it seemed to me, to be a good Constantine-type player in that he wasn't the most gifted of players, but he always gave the maximum effort and did everything possible to make himself, and his teammates better.

And I'm sure I speak for the rest of us here at T3I in that I'd really like for the Aeros to start getting some guys under contract. I know there's been that whole change of regime thing going on up in St. Paul, but I don't think the Aeros can afford to lose all of their offensive skill players.

Lemaire To The Devils

ESPN is reporting just now that Jacques Lemaire, recently departed coach of the Minnesota Wild, has signed on to coach the New Jersey Devils. More info as we get it.

UPDATE: And Russo confirms.

Mark Cullen signs with Chicago

Mark Cullen inked a one-year deal with the Blackhawks this week.
He'll be in Rockford most of the season, so the Aeros will get eight good looks at him this year.

I had some hopes that he might end up with the Wild/Aeros again, especially to give the team some much needed depth at center. But I fully expect the organization to ink a more versatile right wing/centerman type of guy to fill the Aeros' now obvious holes at forward.

The potential Aeros defensive lineup is now very strong with the additions last week of Sifers and Fraser. Now the team needs two strong AHL forwards and a No. 1 goalie.

Awesome Interview with Mitch Love

From our friend Su Ring in Seattle, an awesome season wrap-up interview with Mitch. He's so full of win and awesome. Go read it. I insist! It's awesome! Awesome!!!

(Sorry, you're getting me on a post-hockey high where everything is AWESOME!)

Wallin Back in North America

Rickard Wallin signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs.
Very nice guy with good hands ... I think he was always a little soft defensively, and probably could use more "on ice" speed.

He was a good player and was a factor on the '03 Cup team for sure.

I think he scored the Game-winning goal in Game 7 against Hamilton.

ESPN NHL Writer: Wild third from the bottom

I realize this is only the opinion of ONE writer, but are the Wild really destined for another year without playoffs?

I think this is more of an indication of how competitive things are in the NHL these days, rather than the team just being bad.

But based on Free agent pick ups, etc. where do you see the Wild finishing next year?

From the article:

In this economy and with all the other options for hockey interest in Minnesota, one more non-playoff season will put the Wild's sellout streak at risk.

Ouch.