Wild sign Matt Kassian and Morten Madsen...MVN Article

LemaireisGOD · 05-15-2007, 04:07 PM

The State of Hockey News | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » Wild sign prospects Matt Kassian and Morten Madsen

Wild sign prospects Matt Kassian and Morten Madsen

By Derek Felska | May 15th, 2007

Perhaps as a sign the team felt it needed more toughness after its series against the Anaheim Ducks the Wild fired an opening salvo by signing their 2nd round choice from 2005 (57th Overall) Matt Kassian. Kassian is known has one of the most fierce fighters in the Western Hockey League. As a right winger, with a massive 6′5″ 245lbs frame perhaps he’ll get his chance to pummel the opposition with the Wild. The native of Edmonton played four seasons with the Kamloops Blazers, and was one of the team’s leaders in penalty minutes with 162 penalty minutes this season while putting up 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists). Kassian signed a 3-year entry level deal with the Wild, and according to scouts is ahead of current Wild pugilist Derek Boogaard was at this point in his hockey career. If the former Blazer can skate and provide toughness he may very well find himself playing for the Wild sooner rather than later. The team knows it needs more ’sandpaper’ to its lineup of smallish forwards and a high energy, big forward like Kassian might be exactly the medicine the team needs. The big 20-year old also has demonstrated his ability in the classroom posting an impressive 3.7GPA to be the Blazers’ 2007 Scholastic Player of the Year, so you know you’re getting a tough guy that has a brain to go with his brawn. Dare I imagine a line of Kassian (a right wing) and Derek Boogaard (a left wing) together to be the team’s first ‘Crash & Bash’ line?

Minnesota also managed to sign a skilled centre to go along with its signing of Matt Kassian when it inked Danish-born Morten Madsen (4th round, 122nd Overall) to an entry-level deal that is still being finalized at this moment. Madsen, 19, played in his first full season of North American hockey after playing the last few seasons in Sweden and looked like a natural as he accumulated 100pts (32 goals, 68 assists) for the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The centre plays a great two-way game as he demonstrated an ability to haunt teams with his smooth skating to rack up 8 shorthanded goals, and a +20 rating. The Rodovre, Denmark-native was so good he made the Danish National team and played in the World Championships in Moscow where he posted 1 goal in 10 games. Madsen is perhaps one of the few mid-round picks that seem to have a very promising pro career ahead of him; and his nation of Denmark has seen a small rash of players get their shot in the NHL like fellow Danes Jannik Hansen (Vancouver) and Frans Nielsen (NY Islanders). I personally am very excited to see a skilled two-way centre with Madsen’s skillset of deft hands, good shot, solid two-way game, and great skating.

World Championship Notes

Someone cue KC & the Sunshine Band’s “Celebration” as Wild defenseman Nick Schultz, playing for Team Canada celebrates its 2nd World Championship in a row. I am sure the gold medal he has to show for it probably makes him ignore the fact he failed to register a point during the tournament. Team Canada defeated Team Finland 4-2 to take home first place despite gritty efforts out of Wild Finns Mikko Koivu and Petteri Nummelin. Nummelin, had a tremendous tournament (3 goals, 7 assists) and led all defenseman in points for the tournament. It was also a great tournament for Marian Gaborik who led the way for Team Slovakia as he was 6th in scoring as he fired home five goals and six assists in just 6 games.

05-15-2007, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
LemaireisGOD Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 504	Wild sign Matt Kassian and Morten Madsen...MVN Article The State of Hockey News \| MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » Wild sign prospects Matt Kassian and Morten Madsen Wild sign prospects Matt Kassian and Morten Madsen By Derek Felska \| May 15th, 2007 Perhaps as a sign the team felt it needed more toughness after its series against the Anaheim Ducks the Wild fired an opening salvo by signing their 2nd round choice from 2005 (57th Overall) Matt Kassian. Kassian is known has one of the most fierce fighters in the Western Hockey League. As a right winger, with a massive 6′5″ 245lbs frame perhaps he’ll get his chance to pummel the opposition with the Wild. The native of Edmonton played four seasons with the Kamloops Blazers, and was one of the team’s leaders in penalty minutes with 162 penalty minutes this season while putting up 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists). Kassian signed a 3-year entry level deal with the Wild, and according to scouts is ahead of current Wild pugilist Derek Boogaard was at this point in his hockey career. If the former Blazer can skate and provide toughness he may very well find himself playing for the Wild sooner rather than later. The team knows it needs more ’sandpaper’ to its lineup of smallish forwards and a high energy, big forward like Kassian might be exactly the medicine the team needs. The big 20-year old also has demonstrated his ability in the classroom posting an impressive 3.7GPA to be the Blazers’ 2007 Scholastic Player of the Year, so you know you’re getting a tough guy that has a brain to go with his brawn. Dare I imagine a line of Kassian (a right wing) and Derek Boogaard (a left wing) together to be the team’s first ‘Crash & Bash’ line? Minnesota also managed to sign a skilled centre to go along with its signing of Matt Kassian when it inked Danish-born Morten Madsen (4th round, 122nd Overall) to an entry-level deal that is still being finalized at this moment. Madsen, 19, played in his first full season of North American hockey after playing the last few seasons in Sweden and looked like a natural as he accumulated 100pts (32 goals, 68 assists) for the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The centre plays a great two-way game as he demonstrated an ability to haunt teams with his smooth skating to rack up 8 shorthanded goals, and a +20 rating. The Rodovre, Denmark-native was so good he made the Danish National team and played in the World Championships in Moscow where he posted 1 goal in 10 games. Madsen is perhaps one of the few mid-round picks that seem to have a very promising pro career ahead of him; and his nation of Denmark has seen a small rash of players get their shot in the NHL like fellow Danes Jannik Hansen (Vancouver) and Frans Nielsen (NY Islanders). I personally am very excited to see a skilled two-way centre with Madsen’s skillset of deft hands, good shot, solid two-way game, and great skating. World Championship Notes Someone cue KC & the Sunshine Band’s “Celebration” as Wild defenseman Nick Schultz, playing for Team Canada celebrates its 2nd World Championship in a row. I am sure the gold medal he has to show for it probably makes him ignore the fact he failed to register a point during the tournament. Team Canada defeated Team Finland 4-2 to take home first place despite gritty efforts out of Wild Finns Mikko Koivu and Petteri Nummelin. Nummelin, had a tremendous tournament (3 goals, 7 assists) and led all defenseman in points for the tournament. It was also a great tournament for Marian Gaborik who led the way for Team Slovakia as he was 6th in scoring as he fired home five goals and six assists in just 6 games. __________________ "Why mess around with PT Boats when you can have a Destroyer?" ~ Al Strachan (Hockey Night in Canada)