Expansion draft picks reveal Columbus's focus on grit and Minnesota's bid for a sophisticated, diverse audience.
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Blue Jackets, Wild Go Bodybuilding - Jul. 1, 2000, Vol. 53, Issue 39 - Mike Brophy
CALGARY-Hockey fans in Minnesota allowed a team that boasted Mike Modano and Derian Hatcher to leave town without so much as batting an eyelash. Wonder how they’ll take to a team that features the likes of Michal Bros and Jim Dowd?
Bros, who has never played in the NHL, and Dowd, who has played 214 games with five teams over nine seasons, are two of the 26 hopefuls the expansion Minnesota Wild chose in the expansion draft in Calgary June 23. The Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets took part in the expansion draft in preparation for their debut 2000-01 season. (See pg. 30 for expansion draft selections.)
When reminded of the old saying, ‘People in Minnesota love hockey, they just don’t like the NHL,’ Wild owner Bob Naegele Jr. acted surprised and said: “I believe the people of Minnesota will be excited about our team.”
May we ask why?
“There are two new generations of hockey fans in Minnesota since the (North Stars) departed for Dallas,” Naegele said.
“There’s a group of young fans who are excited about NHL hockey coming to our city and there’s also girls. Many girls are playing the game now. We feel we can attract a young, sophisticated audience, an upwardly mobile group of fans who appreciate the game.”
For an $80-million expansion fee, the two teams were able to pick 26 players-three goalies, nine defensemen and 14 forwards.
To say it was slim pickings for the two incoming clubs is not entirely accurate. A number of quality veteran players-Doug Gilmour of the Buffalo Sabres and Guy Hebert of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim among them-were available, but it didn’t make sense for Minnesota or Columbus to take on their hefty contracts. Instead, both teams took a mixture of players with reasonable salaries who have either played in the league or shown they might be able to play in the league, or slightly more expensive players who could later serve as trade bait.
Columbus got the edge on Minnesota in the number of NHL goals scored last season by the players they chose (93-69). Columbus GM-president Doug MacLean placed a premium on character and toughness. His hope is players such as Lyle Odelein, Bert Robertsson, Kevin Dineen, Geoff Sanderson and Steve Heinze can provide his club with leadership.
MacLean was busy in the days leading up to the draft and already had 18 players under contract, including ex-New Jersey Devils’ tough guy Krzysztof Oliwa and European scoring aces Jan Caloun, Espen Knutsen and David Vybomy.
Some of the higher profile veterans selected were quickly flipped for young players or prospects. Minnesota traded goalie Mike Vemon to Calgary, his original NHL team, for the rights to center Dan Cavanaugh and the Flames’ eighth round choice in the 2001 entry draft; center Joe Juneau was sent to Phoenix for center Rickard Wallin; and goalie Chris Terreri went back to New Jersey with a draft pick for defenseman Brad Bombardir.
Columbus traded right winger Turner Stevenson to the Devils for future considerations and acquired defenseman Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre and two draft picks from Buffalo for future considerations. (See accompanying tables for unofficial rosters of Columbus and Minnesota.)
When the draft was completed, both GMs said they were satisfied with their club’s foundation, but did not expect to compete for a playoff spot in 2000-01.
“We think we have a competitive team and we’ll build toward a playoff spot,” said Minnesota GM Doug Risebrough, who took a huge step toward making his team a success by hiring veteran coach Jacques Lemaire for a rumored $3.7 million over three years.
“But the playoffs, or even being in the hunt for the playoffs, is not a realistic target now.”
SOMETHING WILD
From Artem Anisimov to Wes Walz, expansion Minnesota’s unofficial roster below includes players wtio are property of the Wild (as of June 30). Unsigned draft picks, such as 2000 first-rounder Marian Gaborik, are not included. Stats include 1999-2000 league, games, goals, assists, points, penalty minutes, plus/minus rating, how acquired and previous NHL team (where applicable); goalie stats include wins, losses, ties, goals-against average and save percentage
BRAND NEW JACKETS
Expansion Columbus’ unofficial roster below includes players who are property of the Blue Jackets (as of June 30). Unsigned draft picks, such as 2000 first-rounder Rostislav Klesla, are not included. Stats include 1999-2000 league, games, goals, assists, points, penalty minutes, plus’minus rating, how acquired and previous NHL team (where applicable); goalie stats include wins, losses, ties, goals-against average and save percentage.
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