Mike Max's News & Notes: The Wild's Next Step, Vikings Mini Camp Update
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One year to the day the Minnesota Wild made the splash of the off season -- signing Zach Parise and Ryan Suter – the latter was named to the first all NHL team.
And the team parted ways with another defenseman -- asking waivers on defenseman Tom Gilbert -- who grew up in Bloomington.
As for the next big splash, that might come next year…don't be surprised if the Wild try to sign Thomas Vanek, who lives in Minnesota.
-- Four former Twins center fielders -- Torii Hunter, Ben Revere, Denard Span, and Carlos Gómez – are all still productive in major league baseball.
-- Greg Jennings has an advocate on the side. He's good friends with Larry Fitzgerald Jr., who says the Vikings got a gem from their rivals across the border.
"He's going to have great impact on this community," Fitzgerald said. On the field, is the obvious part…he's going to be an explosive playmaker for years to come."
The Vikings biggest concern coming out of mini camp? Keeping Everson Griffin engaged and focused. He's the player for the most potential to break out. But there are concerns about his personality.
Another concern for the Vikes is John Sullivan's knee. Some suggest that the team is more concerned with that than they let on.
Speaking of knees, Chad Greenway had his scoped out.
"It wasn't something I wanted to do," he said. "I got to the point where if I want to be healthy and going through a full season, the way I want to be, it's going to mean doing something now…which I did."
He says he'll be good to go by training camp.
-- Troy Bell is still playing professional basketball. He just returned from Italy and has another contract waiting. His team lost to former Benilde-St. Margaret's player Jordan Taylor in the playoffs.
Taylor is trying to hook up with an NBA team for the summer games.
-- Former Gopher and NBA player John Thomas is now working at Life Time Fitness in its basketball office.
-- Cooper's Rashad Vaughn is heading to Las Vegas to participate in LeBron James' elite camp. He said he's not close to deciding on a college.
-- Some believe that if Reid Travis wants to play college football, the senior-to-be from DeLaSalle's best position would be tight end – not quarterback, which he plays now.
-- A number of nonprofits have been making calls and sending emails, trying to get the seats and other amenities that will be of no use once the Metrodome is torn down.
