Lemaire returning for eighth season as Wild coach
Posted on May 10th, 2008 – 10:11 AMBy Kent Youngblood
When contacted Friday afternoon, Jacques Lemaire sounded like a happy man. Now we know why: After three days of meetings in Florida between Minnesota Wild coaches and front-office staff, Lemaire decided that he would return for an eighth season, remaining the only coach in franchise history. The decision was announced this morning.
“When you are younger, it’s a lot easier to make a decision,’’ Lemaire said in a statement released by the team. “At the end of the year, I said I wanted to ask questions of Doug (president and general manager Doug Risebrough). I wanted to make sure my boss is happy with the work I am doing and with the way I manage the team. This is what we talked about in our meetings. I am reassured of my work and I want to coach again. My satisfaction behind the bench is getting the team to play the best it can, individually and as a group. Success will come with that.’’
Lemaire was open about his frustration with parts of the recently-concluded season, one in which a Wild team full of potential free agents didn’t play like a team as much as Lemaire would have liked. Lemaire was quick to point out, however, how pleased he was with his team during the six-game playoff run against Colorado.
Still, there appeared to be some doubt about Lemaire’s future. In the wake of the first-round playoff loss Lemaire questioned himself. Was he still able to reach the players? Was he doing things in a way the Wild management team – particularly president and general manager Doug Risebrough – supported?
Lemaire obviously got all the right answers.
Risebrough has always supported Lemaire. Two days after the playoff run ended, for example, he said the decision to have so many players in the last year of their contract was his mistake.
83 Responses to "Lemaire returning for eighth season as Wild coach"
Good.
Good news! I am glad JL will be back. Now it’s time to start sorting out contracts and whatnot… Sign PMB!
Excellent.
Happy that Lemaire will be back, but what about Riseborough’s commitment to improving the team.
We will see what DR’s moves are over the next few months. We are not that far away but we do need to make a few key moves.
Everybody dance now!
I’m guessing this means DR is not going to Toronto.
mbrose…bingo!
We are not that far away but we do need to make a few key moves.
Compared to what? Tampa Bay? Detroit?
Contrary to popular (i.e. management) belief, the Wild need scoring. More than anything else. That was very apparent in the Avs series.
I think that lack of playing like a team was reflected in the higher GA total. UFAs typically are not signed on their back checking ability.
Kudos to JL for wanting to come back. Obviously the cupboard is not bare. There is a good young nucleus to build upon. DR needs to do something bold this offseason.
Shoot!
I’ve watched the Wild play under Lemaire for 7 seasons now. I have watched the “new” NHL’s young players & teams play an up-tempo game and open the play with the new rules. This is were the league is hoping to go and it’s a better, more entertaining game. While I respect Lemaire and all he has done, I was hoping for a change. We have seen his version of the Wild and it is a frustrating muck around hockey. It is offensively stunted and has proven ineffective against the better teams in this league. You can’t win playoff games 2-1 vs. the Likes of Pitt, Wings, Stars or Avs for that matter. The constant juggling of lines, wasting offensive talent by relegating players to defense instead of offense. I’m afraid we’re in for more of the same and It’s not good enough. While I don’t necessarily think finding a new coach will fix this club, at least we would watch a more entertaining brand of hockey. I don’t think coach Lemaire can change his philosophy overnight. Hope I’m wrong but I think we are in for another year of the same - low scoring, “almost there” hockey.
Yes!
Good observation about the backcheck kj. It was a team thing, it kept the Wild from keeping opposition down when we got a lead.
The difficulty of having most of the scoring (Gabby) on one line is that when you shut down that line the team is in trouble, especially when they do not want to pay the price and play D.
No doubt you are correct mbrose, I cannot think JL would have made his decision if DR was leaving.
Now will be an interesting time while we see just how the new Wild will be reconstructed.
getting bored….
You bring up some valid observatons. JL has always looked to have a team of interchangeable parts through line juggling. I think it was brought to the extreme this year based on the players DR gave him.
There is nothing wrong with a defensive philosophy. But, when you cannot score and try to win 1-0, it catches up with you.
It doesn’t make sense in JLs system to invest in a UFA scoring centerman. Better to spend on someone who has the responsibility to forecheck deep in the zone.
I guess what I am trying to say is that a lot of JLs system is adapted to the players he has. I bet he would have a different philosphy with Detroit’s forwards… 
Frankly, I’ve been hoping for DR + JL to go elsewhere. Outside of Gabby, Koivu, Burns and Schulz, I don’t like their roster. And, the moves made by DR at the trade deadline indicate the lack of communication between DR + JL. JL’s comments last year indicated he had no idea who Dominic Moore was, and the acquisition of Chris Simon (How much ice time did he get in the playoffs??) was ludicrous and a p/r nightmare. Their organizational depth is terrible. One reason? They’ve (DR/scouting dept.) done a poor job of scouting the NCAA, including the WCHA, or have been unwilling to select more college players, in favor of the Canadian jrs.
Getting bored… if you don’t like it don’t watch. Personally, this “new NHL’ you speak of does not appeal to me. I enjoy a good defensive minded game (probably why I enjoy soccer too). There is nothing serously “wrong” with this team. Hopefully DR can make some moves this off season and we can go back to back with division titles. The loss to the Avs was only due to one thing… Injuries. We could have beaten them if Fozzie and Schultzie were healthy, among others.
Oh great. Another year with Gabby playing with Fedoruk on his line. Yippy. Yawn….
Yes! Let the offseason dealings begin. This is a great first step. I hope this means DR is also staying. One can always question moves that coiaches and GMs make but at the end of the day this group has brought this team along the right way. Some changes need to be made but not in leadership. I will takes these guys over most anybody.
How would you like to have the CO problem to find a better coach the JQ. There are very few better coaches that JL and JQ in the NHL. I don’t understand that move at all.
Now its up to the leadership of this team to find the players the Wild need. The base is here, the right pieces need to be put in place and it starts with BR and PMB. Great coverage Kent and Mike.
Hopefully this means Risebrough will be leaving.
They’ve (DR/scouting dept.) done a poor job of scouting the NCAA, including the WCHA, or have been unwilling to select more college players, in favor of the Canadian jrs.
I guess AJ Thelan and Danny Irmen didn’t play in the CCHA and the WCHA and are not from MN and ND.
I hope that the answers JL received from DR included a greater say in personnel decisions.
I am glad JL is staying for one more year. With 5 teams without coaches now, the Wild might have had a problem finding a good coach to replace JL. If this upcoming season is JL’s last, it will give time for DR to start scouting for a new coach.
Plus, I want him to develop Pouliot and Gillies so that we have a solid foundation from them. All of the picks that have played under JL have really grown and matured in their games.
Looking at the World Championship games, Burns and Koivu are playing key roles for their respective teams.
The most telling sentence in the article is DR admitting a mistake of having so many players in their last year of their contract.
If I am right he believes the last year guys were more worried about individual stats than the team.
Good stuff.
Great to have JL back. He seems to take way to much heat for the style we play, when the team seems to overachieve every year. According to many sources Colorado had much more ‘talent’ then we did at the end of the year and how did they do against Detroit? We need a few more pieces before anyone should be on JL about how far we go in the playoffs. Now it’s up to DR to do a little better at his job.
The new NHL is whoever wins the previous year. As has been said many times here, last year the Ducks won with toughness and constant interference and so we all told ourselves the Wild need to get tougher. This year the skating, scoring teams are winning so we are on that mantra. Frankly, one thing is clear–you need good goaltending. That sidelined the Habs and helped sink the Avs in round 2. That said, clearly we need more scoring, better backchecking and a healthy D. I don’t think it will take that many moves to get us there. But we do need to make some moves. It’s going to take us a few months to see what those are.
Two other items in my opinion kj: first is that FA defensive forwards are easier to find that big time scorers and a way better fit under the cap … so you can fill more weak positions.
Another observation, it is not the playing style to concentrate on, it is “execution” of whatever playing style fits the team you do have. Execution determines who wins the Cup.
If JL had Crosby and instead of SRV and Radio, don’t think for a minute he is not wise enough to exploit that scoring ability.
Look at our glasses as half full and rising.
DR and the scouting staff is doing just fine. His recent comments tell us that he is introspective about his own mistakes. A good sign that he can be more effective in the future.
i don’t think anyone that watched us struggle in every single game we played against the better teams in the league thinks this team, as it currently is, can get much better. that is DR’s fault and i wish he were leaving. that said, JL’s constant line juggling and tinkering seemed to confuse a lot of the players (how many too many men penalties did we take this year)…he needs to change his philosophy or this team is done. i expect everyone in our division to make a serious commitment to getting better next year and we had better do the same…
Sadly, Iceman, any changes in scouting philosophy now won’t reap any benefits until 3-4 years down the road.
Hey Adam, thanks for unwittingly illustrating my point. And Austin, the injury excuses are lame.
I agree NjaP…
It wasn’t our defense that lost the series against the Avs, it was our lack of scoring. Would Schultz and Foster have led to more goals?
Detroit’s forwards showed exactly how to destroy the Avs.
Anyway, it appears that JL got the answers he wanted to stay committed to coaching. I hope DR provides the ‘answers’ that we want to hear too.
Well, no Schultz and Foster would not have led to more goals but it wouldn’t have tired our defense as quickly either. Plus, it might have prevented more goals, which is just as good as getting more goals.
One thing didn’t down the Wild from injuries to lack of scoring to tired defense.
Also, the Wild did not have depth at all the positions. We had bodies but not depth. For example, we had 6 d-men remaining after 2 of our top 6 went down. However, we mainly relied on 3 and held our breaths that Hill, Nummy, and eventually Reitz could hold it together.
Another example, we had to play Demitra out of position because JL couldn’t fully trust two green centers (Pouliot and Sheppard) during the playoffs. He had to rely heavily on Koivu.
Your right NjaP - let’s trade all the Wild Canadian Jrs for WCHA alum starting with Burns for Leopold straight up.
I was hoping for Joel Quenneville taking over JL’s spot and DR going away with him too. What has this duo done outside of getting blown away in the 1st rounds lately?
We’re going to be loving Canadian Jrs in a couple years when Sheppard, Gillies and Pouliot come on strong.
I think the WCHA made it pretty clear in the NCAAs that they are overrated.
Good to have JL back!
I’m just glad the six-goalie system will be around for another year.
AiH, you are drawing conclusions about the WCHA based on one year. Look at the last 10 years or so. It’s a damn strong conference. But, when draft time comes you draft the best player, Canadian Major jrs, American, Swede, Finn, Russian who cares. Stupid argument.
Stupid argument.
+1
Great another year of 1 goal games and an offense in shackles which equals no cup.
Great, another year of one & out in the playoffs. Keep buying those tickets, SUCKERS!!!!
Remember what the Wild owners said YEARS ago. We are building for the future. Hahahahahaha… They got rich and the fans got screwed.
“They’ve (DR/scouting dept.) done a poor job of scouting the NCAA, including the WCHA…”
To remind Adam and Aaron, this what I said. I didn’t say our scouting deficiencies were due to our lack of WCHA players, exclusively. I simply believe they’ve neglected/mis-scouted the NCAA as a player source and shown their organizational preference for juniors. Not that I don’t love the upside of Shepp and what Gillies will bring…
I like that JL is returning. I also like DR’s admissions that indicate a realistic view of the situation. The current roster is the reality. The challenge is to make the right moves & coaching to get them out of their present status & onto the right track.
I also believe these things:
- The Wild had plenty of talent but not the right mix of players or chemistry to go too far once the injuries struck.
- The mix/chemistry issues were so apparent to DR & JL at the deadline and that affected to some extent DR’s willingness to go for it all this year.
- Plain and simple, this team HAS to score more to have any realistic chance.
- The Wild need far better talent & production at the center position or they’re sunk, period. Young guys developing will account for a bit of that. Any centers added need to be significant skill & playmaking upgrades over Eric Belanger.
- Defense needs more help than just Erik Reitz + the losses of Nummi, Hill, & probably Carney. Structured right, Skoula should be the #5 or #6 defenseman at best. If that were the case, he could be one of the best #5/6 defensemen in the league.
- Kim Johnsson is a very solid defenseman — good puck mover but NOT an offensive defenseman, per se. He’s also not worth nearly $5M/yr unless his offensive numbers approach Burns’ level or at least Sergei Zubov’s power play production.
Can’t wait to see things unfold over the next 3 months!
Other NHL teams are doing a much better job of scouting, drafting and playing NCAA guys when all you can show for your efforts are Ryan Jones (who may be a great choice), Danny Irmen (…shouldn’t have left early), AJ T-H-E-L-E-N (a head case), a former RPI fwd (can’t remember his name), Steve Aronson…
Pouliot better play every game next year DOUG.
No Nick, I did not expect an overnight success and so I am satisfied with what Wild has accomplished.
Anybody know if the Wild have a mobile site and if so the URL?
Glad to have JL back. Now for the talent.
Seems the depth in the organization is low, why?
Gaborik and $10 M. How about x2 30 goal guys @ $5M each and some extra cap room left over on that deal (tell me I wouldn’t want x3 Rolston type players).
Look at the goals against this season, way up, goals were also up, but this team could not play tough when they got a lead, not like the early teams.
NJAP, who cares if your good young players are NCAA players or Koivu, Burns and Schultz? Silly point.
[…] Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports Minnesota Wild head coach Jacques Lemaire has decided to return for another season. “When you are younger, it’s a lot easier to make a decision,” […]
Sigh, this is just like the other MN sports teams. Bring back a very good, but not great coach, for another season to not upset the status quo. Gimme a break already!
I was hoping that the new owner would inject some life into this franchise by getting rid or DR and JL. Lets face it here people, they have had their chance and have failed to even get to Finals. One division championship, one trip to the conf finals in all these years is less than impressive.
Yes JL is a highly respected coach in NHL circles, but IMHO, I think the game has passed him by. Running him out there for another year of mixed lines, head-games with his players, and defensive minded hockey is not what these very loyal fans of the Wild deserve.
Not sure why people are concerned with JL’s line combinations.
These are guys who have played more hours of hockey before they get to the NHL than any other thing in their lives. It is not like they are Mite hockey players.
If anything, guys needing to be more alert is a good thing which playing with different linemates forces them to do.
Doug should accept the blame. We are not an expantion team anymore. we need skilled players NOW.
Ok, so anyone that reads this blog regularly knows I am not a DR apologist. However, to say that the management has done nothing is absurd.
Every team in the NHL would love to have Gaborik, Burns, Koivu and Schultz. All draft choices, and all have been developed by the club.
DR could have done something to help this team at the deadline - but chose not to. Intentionally, because this was the window for all the impending UFAs. I understand the reasoning…now. Why send someone (Sheppard is the guy everyone wanted) away for a ‘what if’ run. Especially when this team showed they were no match (all season long) for the NHL elite?
Now, that theory goes down the tubes IF they do nothing this summer to reload. The Flyers have shown what the right FA signings can do in one year.
So, lets see what DR & Co. do in the offseason before we whine that they should have been fired or that they should have gone elsewhere.
I honestly think CL will mandate improvement. This is a huge summer for the Wild…
A lot will depend on what is done on July 1, the first day of NHL Free Agency. The Wild must make a major deal on that particular day — when all UFA’s are still available — or I fear this upcoming season will be a LONG one.
I think that JL knows this, and was not afraid to tell DR that, either. He needed help last season, and he didn’t get what he needed to succeed. The club sulked big time in the Carolina and Atlanta games, then sucked it up and played as well as most of them could (except for maybe one or two Slovaks).
Comments from Michael would be in vogue about now. How about it?
Come on… Gaborik and Demitra as was the whole team after the last SE trip. During the whole SE trip, the team as a whole sucked.
Now if we were talking about late December to January then, yeah, Gaborik sucked.
DR has the Wild in the right direction. My one chief complaint with DR is that he needs to be a little more aggressive in the FA market and at the trade deadline.
I hope that we understand that the next FA signings will be here for 3-4 years and that we are likely to overpay for them just like Johnsson. So he better choose wisely.
Geeze look at all the sorry mother smurfers out and about today, seems like there was a lot pissin’ in people’s cheerios this morning. Would some of you like a little cheese with that whine.
Thank you Number 2 for the update, it’s nice to hear what is going on with my boys. Now if you’ll excuse me the NyQuil is wearing off and I need to make some more Kool-ade.
I’m so happy Lemaire is staying. This guy is a great hockey mind. As a dedicated Wild fan we couldn’t have a better coach. Great news.
GOOD DEAL! I’m a Minnesota native and a DIEHARD hockey fan, is there another sport out there but hockey? I don’t think so. I’m so happy he’s staying, I love his hockey mind. Perfect.
So from JL’s comments, I am getting the feeling that he doesn’t want to see PMB let go anytime soon. I hope DR takes his comments to heart.
Re-sign PMB asap.
Really wish he would have left. Look at the playoffs this year. Detroit and Pitt play up tempo games that are open. Colorado wins and still fires their coach looking for a more open game.
The Wild underperformed this year and JL is not making the impact he used to. JL and DR did little this year to develop younger talent (outside of Sheppard).
Ticket price up 5% while performing at T-Wolves one and done. Not good enough.
Here’s another Brent Burns story from the World Championships. It took a lot from the first one but added some extended comments from Hitchcock, Team Canada’s head coach.
I think it sucks. His record with the Wild is barely .500. This team needed someone under the age of 50 at least. I’m taking my Wild license plate holder off. Very disappointed. It was time for both GM and coach to go. I guess Wild fans are satisfied with mediocre.
Actually, his record and the Wild is the best among recent expansion teams in the first 7 years of a team’s existence. His winning percentage is actually .579.
I haven’t checked post-season in the first seven years but at least he has a record there. Columbus doesn’t and Atlanta has only gone to the playoffs once and was swept. I think JL has a better record then Nashville’s Trotz since they have been bounced in the first round every time they’ve been in the playoffs. The Wild and JL have at least made it to the Western conference. I think the Sharks and the Ducks have a better record than the Wild in the post-season in the first 7 years of being in the league. I haven’t the Panthers or the Lightening’s records yet.
Yes, the Wild is not as good as some of the elite teams but they have been competitive and even more than other recent expansion teams.
I honestly think CL will mandate improvement. This is a huge summer for the Wild…
I think there is solid hope for this team as well. For those that don’t, just take a vacation from your fandom - I took several Viking seasons off and I am much better for it!
I might get frustrated with the constant line juggling but no doubt it’s good to have Jacques returning next season.
Now please fix Pouliot!
We must all recognize that the key draft picks from our early years are still improving. Look at how far Burns has come. And does anyone remember how Koivu played two years ago–he was practically a non-factor, now he’s a borderline-stud, arguably their best all-around player. Seven yeras is still early. I think KJ nailed it and I agree it’s a good thing DR didn’t dip into our pool of kids at the trade deadline–it wasn’t going to be our year, and I don’t think even a Hossa-type addition would have helped. In a few years, we’re going to be pretty good if we stay committed to developing the kids. And watch out for Harding–he’s going to be really special.
First place in the Division = mediocre Loretta?????
I hope you do so well in your own given profession.
Anybody notice this?
“”Dallas is 0-10 in the post-season in Detroit. The last win in Joe Louis Arena in franchise history was by the Minnesota North Stars in 1992 “”
Loretta, you could probably buy a Timberwolf license plate holder.
Loretta you are a loser. Good bye.
Well, I’m glad JL will be back, partly because I still can’t decide whether I love him or I hate him (depends on the game) and because I really don’t want to get stuck with any of the clowns that are floating around out there right now looking for a coaching job. I was sort of hoping to hear that DR would be leaving for Toronto or something, but that doesn’t sound likely. The team needs some help in getting some players and he just doesn’t seem to be able to do the job. You can point at injuries or whatever else you want, but I knew when we went into the playoffs that the only teams we stood a chance of beating in a best of seven series in the West were Nashville or Colorado and we couldn’t even pull that off. Watching the playoff series since they’ve been out has further shown that we just couldn’t compete. Go ahead and say what you want, I love the team like the rest of you probably do, but right now they just don’t have what it takes to go all the way and DR doesn’t seem to have what it takes to figure out what it will take to get them there. Anyway, it should be a long and interesting summer and, regardless of what changes happen or don’t happen, I can’t wait till next season to see the boys take the ice again.
if u don’t like hime or hockey get a life are u ahockey coach
So it seems the consensus is that the majority who read this blog are embracing a JL, and DR return…what a sad group the team of 18,000 has become.
How about demanding a little more out of your inept leadership? Arent you all sick of just good enough? JL should have turned the reigns over to Mike Ramsey so we could begin a new era of Wild hockey next season. Instead…more of the same, ugly hockey.
Seriously, its like watching paint dry some games. This franchise needs to take the training wheels off and see what it can do already!
Same old bullsh*t. Different off-season. The Mild’s front office is incompetent. Risedump sucks. The Mild will never accomplish anything as long as he’s the GM. Expect more dumpster diving this off-season leaving JL to try to win with other teams’ garbage players or failed draft choices. Minnesota fans deserve better. The lemmings deserve what they are getting.
DUMP THE DUMPER!!
Anyyone notice?
Mattias Weinhandl, Sweden … second in tournament scoring behind Heatly
Mike…haven’t seen you in a while. Nothing like a ticket price increase to fan the flames, eh???
Since you’re obviously not a lemming, whom should the Wild go after to replace Risebrough? Is there a creative nockey mind out there instead of another GM retread?
Let’s see what he does with someone who wants to WIN as an owner, not and owner who’s main interest is to maximize his investment.
oops…nockey = hockey.
Someday I will get the hang of this typing stuff…
kj: Mike’s first line said it all…
“Same old bullsh*t. Different off-season.”
Mike: When will you ever learn that the Wild will not get rid of DR until he wants to leave and it’s to HIS advantage to do so. You still haven’t figured that one out yet, have you?
Unless it’s malfeasance or just being worn out, DR isn’t going anywhere.
Deal with it, Mike. And have a nice day.
kj, good point. Easy to complain but where are any constructive suggestions?
Happy Mothers Day to all the Mom’s out there.
I missed the Finland USA game today, which had major implications. Sounds like it was a chippy game, and guess who scored the game winner for Suomi???
***Oh, and notice the notes section at the bottom. USA gets ripped off, hurt pointwise in the standings, and all the IIHF can do is fire the goal judge? Ridiculous!!! Remember a few years back up at Edmonton when the Oil scored a goal from the side of the net when it was lifted up? Roloson was in goal and totally dumbfound as to how the puck went in. That must have happened in 2003 or 2004, before the current “War Room” days
Well that’s question #1 about this summer answered.
Lapper, I think that goal under the side of the net was against Colorado.
I Feel good for your team Kevin.
There was a stretch of games toward the end of Roloson’s time here that he was snake bitten. He seemed to lose his confidence before he was traded. That was during the time.
Mike?
Hellllllooooo???
Finnish food above.
YAY!!! I needed some good news today! JL is a legend, a great coach and a great guy. All nay-sayers can stick it.
i’m late to the party but
One division championship, one trip to the conf finals in all these years is less than impressive.
it’s been 7 years and this wasn’t a transplanted franchise like colorado, carolina.
Can’t please everyone.
[…] meeting with general manager Doug Risebrough, Jacques Lemaire has decided to return to coach the Wild for another year. There was "no doubt" Lemaire was returning, despite the importance he placed on the […]
