“It doesn’t look too good, does it?”  That was the comment of an NHL source on Monday when Sports Headliners asked whether the Wild will sign Marian Gaborik to a new contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.

The source, who requested that his name not be used, shares the growing opinion that Gaborik wants to play for another team after this season.  “Those (type of negotiations) are the ones that worry you because it’s not about the money,” he said.

If it’s not about the money, then what it is?  Presumably the opportunity to play in a system where the high-scoring 26-year-old forward can have more freedom to show his offensive skills.

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire emphasizes a defensive style of play. “He (Gaborik) gets tired (of)…playing in that restricted system–defense first, defense first,” the source said.

He suspects, though, that this season Lemaire may give Gaborik more offensive freedom.  “Jacques is not stupid, he knows how important this guy is to this team,” the source said.

The Wild could repeat as Northwest Division champions but that task will be much easier with Gaborik here all season, instead of traded away.  Then, too, the Gaborik contract situation is a potential distraction affecting the team.  “The longer it drags and the more I see (discouraging) quotes from the agent, the more I am afraid they won’t get it done,” the source said.

He likes the additions made to the team in the off-season, mentioning defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Marc-Andre Bergeron, and forward Owen Nolan.  The Wild’s nucleus of young players like Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Brent Burns, Mikko Koivu, James Sheppard and Nick Schultz impresses him, too.  A repeat 2006-2007 performance by goalie Niklas Backstrom would elevate the Wild’s play this season, too.

Minnesota opens the season on Saturday night at home against Boston.

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The Gophers will play Air Force in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on December 23, according to scout.com’s bowl projections.  https://cfn.scout.com/2/797737.html

The Gophers may need seven wins to be selected for a bowl, even though six is the minimum number to qualify.  Iowa was 6-6 last year and wasn’t invited to a bowl even with its large fan following.

Gopher football coach Tim Brewster goes back to his alma mater on Saturday to face an Illinois team that will be a big favorite and has an offense he thinks is probably the “best” Minnesota will see this season.  Brewster, who played tight end for the Illini, was asked if he’s been contacted about helping to fund renovation of the school’s football stadium.  “They write me all the time but I don’t respond,” he said with a smile.

Junior cornerback Marcus Sherels injured his right shoulder against Indiana last week and his status for Illinois is day-to-day, according to Brewster.  “The doctors seem to think he has a great chance to play Saturday,” Brewster said.

Season ticket sales for Gopher basketball are expected to total 12,000 for the coming season, about the same as 2007-08, according to Jason LaFrenz, the athletic department’s director of marketing and ticket sales.  Season tickets are still available and single game tickets went on sale Monday.

The Detroit team the Vikings play at the Metrodome on Sunday is 0-4 and has been outscored 147 to 166.  The Vikings gave up two punt return touchdowns on Monday night to New Orleans and it’s evident the team misses special team standout Heath Farwell who is injured and out for the season.

The Gopher women’s hockey team will host a “Rock Ridder” event beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 17 against Ohio State.  In conjunction with Second Harvest Heartland, a local food shelf organization, every fan who donates a non-perishable or canned food item will receive free admission.  Fans that are not able to donate food, pay $2 admission for the game. The University hopes to break its Ridder Arena attendance record of 3,251 fans, set in 2007.

The Timberwolves are partnering with its NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, to host an open tryout for the 2008-09 Skyforce season on October 18 and 19 at the Timberwolves practice facility in Minneapolis. The tryouts provide an opportunity to workout before NBA D-League coaches and try for an invitation to the Skyforce training camp that begins next month.  A Wolves spokesperson reported via e-mail that as of Monday there were 10 registrants but about 40 are expected.  Tryouts are limited to 60 players.  Friday is the deadline for registration and more information is available at https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/skyforce_to_hold_open_tryouts_080924.html

The Wolves have their second pre-season game tonight when they play Oklahoma City in Billings, Montana.  Rashad McCants, who has been inconsistent during his career, might be headed for his best season as a pro in year four.  He led the team in scoring with 21 points on Monday night when the Wolves beat the Bucks 117-79 in Milwaukee.

Quarterback Ted Schlafke, defensive back Matt Lien and place-kicker Scott Talcott are the NSIC offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week.  Schlafke threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in helping UMD remain unbeaten with a 52-10 road win over Minnesota State-Moorhead last week.  Lien had eight solo and four assisted tackles, plus an interception in Augustana’s 41-38 overtime win over Minnesota State-Mankato. Talcott was two-for-two on field goal attempts, kicking them from 45 and 37 yards in Southwest Minnesota State’s 35-28 win over Winona State.

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To his credit, coach Brad Childress said Gus Frerotte will be the Vikings’ quarterback this season when he announced a change after the second game.  Even a 37-year-old veteran like Frerotte benefits from a team environment where there’s a commitment to the starting quarterback.

Childress did no less for 25-year-old Tarvaris Jackson last season.  He was the starter at the beginning of the 2007 season and even though he missed games because of injuries he was No. 1 when he returned.

Childress kept his commitment to Jackson during the 2008 pre-season.  The third year quarterback looked improved, more confident and decisive.  Then came a knee injury in game two of the pre-season and Jackson didn’t play in the team’s last two tune-up games.  Jackson came back to start the first two games of the regular season but his play didn’t look sharp.

Vikings’ placekicker Ryan Longwell is a 12 year NFL veteran.  He’s also a team captain and played with Brett Favre in Green Bay for nine seasons.  He was asked last week about the Childress commitment to Frerotte as the starter for the rest of the season.

“I just think you want a chance over the long haul to just know that you’re the guy,” Longwell said.  “I think it gives you a lot of confidence. It gives some stability to the team and to the offense (that) it’s not going to be in and out.  It’s just steady Eddy and I think that’s important for an organization, too.”

The statistics for Jackson and Frerotte are similar so far.  Each has started two games.  Jackson has completed 31 of 60 passes, with one touchdown and one interception.  Frerottte is 41 of 71, with one touchdown and two interceptions.  Jackson’s quarterback rating is 65.7, Frerotte’s is 70.7.

Neither quarterback has had a lot of help from his receivers.  Dropped balls and inconsistency characterize the performances.  Slot receiver Bobby Wade has been about the only guy to brag on a little.  He leads the team with 13 catches.

Starting tonight in New Orleans against the Saints (2-2), the 1-3 Vikings need a better passing game.  The Vikings rank 21st in the 32 team NFL in passing, while the Saints defense is 29th against the pass.  Offensively the Saints are No. 1 in passing at 327.2 yards per game.  The Vikings rank 16th in passing defense (207.5 per game).

The Vikings’ can put a temporary stop to a lot of local negativity about their start to the season.  Otherwise, at 1-4 coaches and players could be welcomed home next Sunday with a serenade of boos for the Detroit game.

In the meantime, Jackson will sit and watch.  Longwell sees the positive side of that role.    “I think if he approaches it the right way, like it looks like has, he can do wonders for himself in the future,” Longwell said.  “Whether that’s later this year, or tomorrow, or two years from now.  Who knows?  But you gotta prepare yourself, and you can learn a lot from just being around and watching the game unfold.”

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