José Will Not Be Back in Minnesota

The Wild have come to terms with Josh Harding as their backup. I feel ok about this. José WILL get a better offer somewhere else, I feel it!

Russo's latest on José

RussostribMichael Russo

“Fletcher said he’s left things “open-ended” with Jose Theodore; #mnwild would like him to be No. 2, but he’ll try first for No. 1”

Free Agency begins TOMORROW!!

Big news could break as early as tomorrow.

I realized after talking to another José fan that I haven't written everything I've heard on here. I forget sometimes that all of you don't follow Mike Russo on twitter, so don't see what he says.

He has been saying for months that the Wild would be very interested in signing José again, as their backup. With Backstrom's long-term/no trade contract, José would still be the backup. But he would definitely be their first choice. Russo feels that the Wild will give José a few days to possibly find a #1 spot, because they all know he deserves one. But just because he deserves one doesn't mean he'll be offered one (as we all saw last season...grumble, grumble, grumble.) So if after a few days he hasn't shown interest in resigning with Minnesota, then they'll pursue other options for their backup.

I have read online that Tomas Vokoun is still very interested in staying with Florida, so that option is probably off the table. And Tampa Bay signed Roloson to a one-year contract, so Tampa is out. Philly is out because they signed Bryzgalov. So that leaves Phoenix. Toronto might be looking for someone to help out Reimer. Garon is a free agent, and he was the backup in Columbus. If they don't resign him, would José be interested in backing up Steve Mason, hoping to possibly slide into #1? (Thanks for that possibility, B.) Anyone know of any other possibilities?

Hockey Wilderness's take on the Wild's UFA's

Over at the Hockey Wilderness (on SB Nation) they discussed the Minnesota Wild's free agents today. Here's what they said about José:

JS: It's a miracle he was still available when the Wild signed him, yet he also does not fit anymore. He was a more than serviceable back-up to Backstrom this year and hopefully, he was able to open a few eyes, because he kept the Wild in more games than he probably should have. For the same reasons as Harding, he's gone, no matter how good he's been. Good luck Theo, and thanks a bunch!

Verdict: Gone.


Elise: Theodore was a great replacement back-up this season. He was solid, at times better than Backs and grew to be well liked by Wild fans. But I don't think he's coming back. The Wild have goalies and Theodore has performed very well as a starting goaltender; he proved last year that he could do that. I see Theodore's past year as proof to the NHL and now he will sign somewhere else who needs a goalie more than the Wild do.

Verdict: not signed.


Bryan: Theodore ruined my year last year. We all wanted to see Borat moved up into the NHL back-up role, and somehow, the Wild just weren't having it. Turns out, Theo was the best free agent signing of the summer. A low cap hit,he is a solid back-up with the credentials to be a number one. It was honestly shocking he was still there when Harding was hurt. Theo has never been a bad goalie. He is a good goalie who has played on some terrible teams. He'll find his way somewhere again next year.

Verdict: As much as we may want him back, he'll sign elsewhere.


Nathan: The best value in the NHL last season, Jose deserves a #1 shot, and it won't be here. He'll garner too much money, and honestly, good for him!

Verdict: I say he ends up in Phoenix.

Will it be Phoenix?

I've been hearing José's name more and more in conjunction with Phoenix, since Bryzgalov is off to Philly. I'd be fine with that. If he's fine with that, I mean. I just want him to be happy.

Tweet from today:
BreakthrsportsBreakthroughsports

Most likely goaltending option for the Phoenix Coyotes on July 1st will be Jose Theodore. Ray Emery, Pascal Leclaire and Josh Harding also options, but health has been a concern in the past for all 3. Tomas Vokoun is currently out of their price range, Dwayne Roloson will most likely be back in Tampa for a year, Mike Smith is too inconsistent and Marty Turco is no longer a solid starting goaltender.

Did anyone save the José videos from Fox Sports North?

Until just recently I didn't have a way of recording streaming video, but I recently got a program to do that. I went back to the José interviews he gave with Fox Sports North this past season, and they all say "currently unavailable." I'm so upset. I can't get them recorded now, and I feel like crying. (Ridiculous, I know, but...)

I was wondering if any of my followers were able to record them at the time and could send me the files?

José's Buddy, Brent Burns, Traded Last Night

Last night during the NHL Draft, the Wild traded José's "pesky little brother", Brent Burns to San Jose. In return the Wild got Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle, and a 1st round pick.

I knew that a Burns trade was a possibility. The Wild need scoring power, and Burns is one of the only players they had that other teams would be interested in. But it still came as a surprise at the moment it happened. And all I could think about was all the fun we had watching José and Burnsie "interact" this past season. Burns was such a pest...punching him in the arm, putting him in headlocks, trying to give him noogies. They really seemed to enjoy each other. And when I met José, Burns came into the room right before, and I got to meet him too, and he was really fun and goofy. I'll definitely miss him.

If José returns to Minnesota, it definitely won't be the same without Burnsie. Players are used to this sort of thing, I'm sure, but it still has to be tough.