Jeff, thanks for the explanation on the losses. I wasn't really worried about the Wild regardless, I'd think they would be one of the far more stable "small" U.S. franchises. It is interesting, especially since the city lost the North Stars previously, that there isn't more interest in regular season games. Winnipeg is different, for any number of reasons. We were without the franchise for longer than you guys were. We obviously have far less competition from other sports at higher levels, though we really don't watch much high school hockey, but then our amateur sports have never been as well supported by fans as they are in the U.S. Canada is just weird that way. But really it's the prevailing feeling that we could actually lose the team again that seems to drive our season ticket sales. We're coming onto year three of renewals and the first two years were renewal rates @ 97%. The 3% not renewed were snapped up in no time at all, but that happens with an 8000 person wait list for season tickets.
Interesting Kessel in Pittsburgh. Very talented hockey player but wonder how damaged his attitude is.
Thought the Granlund contract was pretty nice so well done Wild.
We of course let Frolik walk much to my dismay. Signed Stafford to 8.7 over two years, so great term and ok AAV but I'd have rather had Frolik for the money and term he got from Calgary than from Stafford. There's got to be something else going on there with Frolik/Chevy that prevented a signing - could be Fro's agent. He hosed Chevy on Pavelec so that may have played a role.
Also signed Burmistrov back after a two year KHL hiatus. Be very interesting to see what happens with him. He's never going to be a 60 point player but he's got real nice possession numbers and assuming he's playing with Lowry as his center, that could be a sneaky dangerous and frustrating line to play against.
Oh and Chicago extended Anisomov so that makes that Saad trade look better already though I know the Hawks fans don't feel like it.