Long coach search ahead; Brunette to have reconstructive surgery
Posted on April 13th, 2009 – 2:01 PMBy Michael Russo
Coming to you live from a dark, cavernous Xcel Energy Center, where I am all alone in a big press box. Spooky. I am scared.
About 45 minutes ago, I was coming to you live from Chateau de Russo, but then I decided the laptop I left in the Wild locker room was integral and returned to the arena.
The Jacques Lemaire/Doug Risebrough news conference was pretty emotional. Laughs, and some wet eyes. Mario Tremblay had trouble keeping it together. Lemaire got glassy eyed. Risebrough choked up at the end.
It’s truly the end of an era. Lemaire was the architect for the foundation of this franchise, and his legacy should continue for a long time. He will be missed, that’s for sure by the press. There were ups and downs and clashes, of course. When you ticked him off, he’d give you an answer and just look you in the eyes. And when he was done, he wouldn’t turn away. It was unnerving. But man, he was so easy to work with, a great quote and darn funny.
Remember, a good chunk of the players in the Wild room, from Brent Burns to Marian Gaborik to Mikko Koivu to Nick Schultz to P-M Bouchard, have only known one NHL coach. So in a lot of ways, there’s an excitement, too, because next training camp, for the first time, these players will hear a different voice with fresh ideas. And that’ll make for an interesting camp and season.
Lemaire did admits that a few weeks ago, he did realize certain guys stopped listening to him. You’ll hear more about that in tomorrow’s paper. Also, Risebrough said he learned Jacques was quitting — even though he had a feeling — after the game literally a minute before he told the two beat writers.
Risebrough said the coaching search could take 2-2 1/2 months. Over the next three-four weeks, he will talk internally with his staff. Then he will begin a monthlong process of soliciting potential candidates, or vice versa, and then begin the interview process and due diligence.
He says he has no timetable for hiring a new coach, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be before free agency. More again on all this in tomorrow’s paper.
Andrew Brunette has been playing on a fully torn right ACL since the Ducks’ game Jan. 17. He will have reconstructive knee surgery Thursday and will be out four to six months. He said his goal is to be ready by training camp and nobody should worry about this affecting his game because, “I can’t skate anyways. Maybe I can play in running shoes.”
Then I said, “You might be faster.” Laughs all around.
Mikko Koivu’s also been playing on a second degree MCL sprain since March 22. He said he doesn’t need surgery, that time will be his healer.
Jacques thanks the fans. I’ll put the quote below, as well as the one he said about the press because it was so funny.
“The other people I want to thank is, well, the press. You guys were easy to work with coming from Montreal and they want to know what kind of shorts I’m wearing before the game. It was easy. I felt that you guys, you were supportive to a certain point. You want to know what’s going on and I try to be available and I hope I did the job good enough for you guys. I know at times you were saying ‘well I got three words how can I make a sentence?’ But that’s all I could give you at that time.
“The most important are the fans. Fans in Minnesota, you guys are unbelievable. You start a new franchise – we travel a bit and go into other cities. And you know guys are playing hockey there and you look at the crowds, a lot of nights its half full. And we come here and you people came in game after game – exhibition games – for eight years it was packed. And you know it’s the best environment that we could get as coaches, as players and we got that here. And the lifestyle that we had here is – I feel that it was really close to Montreal in certain ways. And I felt really at home here and I don’t want to get into this (meaning he was getting a little emotional there). I just want to thank you again because I really felt your support. Thank you.”
Here is some Risebrough comments on Jacques (couple funny stories):
It was nine years ago that Jacques and I were sitting in a similar setting and he was asked when we introduced as head coach: for a coach that has won as much as he has, a player that’s won as much as he has, how’s he going to enjoy losing? And Jacques’ answer was ‘I don’t like losing and if we work together and we work hard, we’re going to win our share of games.’ I knew why I got Jacques Lemaire, but that moment crystallized so much hope for our franchise because even I now became a believer. That day, I knew what he would do for us, but I was a true believer then. Announcing Jacques Lemaire that day was announcing a winner and announcing a teacher. When he said we were going to win our share of games, Jacques, you delivered. It was the comfort with which he said it and it was the credibility with which he said it.
I do have to tell you a bit of a story. Before that, when I was negotiating with Jacques in Rice Park about concluding to get him as head coach, I remember thinking ‘what can I do to offer this guy this job?’ I knew he wanted the job, knew he was interested but I had to come to a financial arrangement with him. So I piled up as much money as I thought I could, for the level of coach he was knowing this was far beyond what any expansion team had ever considered and even some of the press later on doubted it. And I said to him: Here’s what I’m going to offer you. And Jacques looked at me and said ‘You know what? I thought you’d be a lot lower.’ And I thought ‘Boy, I got him.’ And he said, ‘But you’re not high enough’ I realized how direct Jacques was going to communicate.
Jacques coaches for the right reasons, the right way and he gets the right results. The right reasons are: he has a true passion for hockey. Outside of his family, his passion for hockey – I’ve never seen anything succeed it. And his true passion for teaching. I’ve gotten to know Jacques quite well the past nine years, and I can honestly say some of his greatest moments and greatest satisfactions comes in the fact that players get better. He just loves teaching. He loves seeing players get better. How he does it is he accepts the ultimate responsibility as a coach for him to figure out a way. No excuses, for him to figure out a way. And to start from an embryonic stage of giving some confidence to that individual so that he ultimately will get better. And his excitement, the sparkle in his eye when that happens is something to see. He also does it the right way because he wants them to work as a team. He wants them to enjoy successes together. And in a world today, that’s not always easy. He teaches them how to play together, he teaches them how to enjoy winning together and that’s his true, true calling as a coach.
I have to tell you this other story about coach of the year. He recognizes that his satisfaction comes through the players. If it was not for the players, he wouldn’t enjoy it. He doesn’t want to do it any other way. The year he won coach of the year I said to him ‘you’re going to have to go down to the ceremonies and I think you got a good chance at winning coach of the year. And he said ‘I can’t.’ I said ‘why can’t you?’ And he said ‘My daughter’s getting married.’ Then I started to realize, ‘when’s she getting married? Its three weeks later.’ He said ‘I have a lot of family coming down. I cant leave my family. I have a lot of brothers. I want it to be special.’ So I said ‘I’ll fly a jet down to pick you up and fly you to the awards ceremony. Whoever you want to bring, we’ll fly you right back to Florida and you can accept the trophy.’ And then there was this most pain look on his face, cause I had got him. He didn’t know what to say. What he said was ‘Doug, that’s no place for me. This award is not about coaching, it’s about the players. I believe the coach of the year is because he’s with players that want to work for him’ He did not go that ceremony, did not accept that award. I was standing there telling them it was because it was because of his daughter’s wedding he couldn’t make it. I know Jacques was happy because I said ‘Well who’s gonna go?’ and he said ‘Somebody has to go. It might as well be you.’
Jacque’s era has ended. The players are better today because of Jacques Lemaire. I have seen the letters players have written Jacques thanking him for the opportunity that’s he’s given them to be better players. We have won as a franchise, we’ve had winning seasons, we’ve had success in the playoffs. And this franchise is on a solid footing. And I have to say, much like Jacques, the players are the reason, Jacques. But if the players are the first reason, you’re the second best reason.
Writing to do. I’ll be back on later — probably.
182 Responses to "Long coach search ahead; Brunette to have reconstructive surgery"
Wow, thats impressive. Thank You Jacques
Lemaire, you are a class act. Good Luck in the future.
I heart Jacques
Any word on Mike and Mario’s future?
Thanks to Jacques for everything. We were lucky to have him. It’s sad to see him go, but also feels like the time is right.
Michael - you are the best. Thank you so much for the information! The guys didn’t fill your lap top with packing peanuts? Bruno - darn funny, love the guy, and wishing him a uneventful recovery.
I am scared
buck up camper
Oh, well, at least it should be an interesting summer.
I just hope we have a coach in place by free agency.
DR had no idea Lemaire was quitting, but the writing was on the wall. Seems like yet another sign of DR’s inadequacy as a GM…
GreenStar says:
April 13th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I am scared
buck up camper
A terrible thought just occurred to me. Maybe Russo is scared because the Wild season is over. The need for someone in his position is somewhat limited for the next 4 or 5 months. Given the current financial situation at the paper… I can’t/won’t finish the thought.
I think it’s time for a total house cleaning and time to start new with the front office and staff.
Goody = heretic
If the Strib was smart they’d keep Russo on as Wild beat writer as long as he wanted and make him editor of the sports page for his trouble too! Who cares if they don’t make any money! The people want information!
Green*: Yeah, you and I think along the same lines on this point. How much work will there be for a hockey beat writer for 5 months, when there’s no hockey beat to write about? It’s not like Montreal, where you can speculate on coaches’ shorts and get people to buy the paper…
Michael: Time to go to the folks at HBI and lean on ‘em for a two-hour off-season hockey hot stove (or whatever you call it in the summertime) each month (minus Matt Thomas, thanks.) As Reg Dunlop told the Chiefs in ‘Slap Shot’: “Let’em know you’re there!” 
After reading the posted text…. now I’m really fallin’ apart. Say it ain’t so Jacques…
Jacques Lemaire is a tremendous coach and teacher and will succeed at whatever and wherever he goes next. The Wild has a chance to move forward or regress for years with a bad choice. Guess what - a lot of the result is up to Risebrough, like it or not. Now that IS scary.
Great work as usual by Russo, many thanks!
Hmm, sure get the feeling reading JL’s comments about the fans that he wasn’t just blowin’ smoke up our collective arses, huh?
Yeah… not a lot of work from now until June. That’s when all the action happens. New coach, draft, FA, RFA period, and then nothing until training camp.
They could also drag out the Gaborik saga until June.
Now DR can throw Jacques under the bus and blame him for the Wild’s poor season. It was clearly “the system” and had absolutely nothing to do with the pieces that he collected to fit into “the system.” Too bad the owner is cutting DR so much slack. And, too bad DR isn’t going anywhere for at least another year.
I want to know the players that werent listening to lemaire! If you dont listen to the coach you should be suspended and fined.
Why in the F is Leiopold not firing this dip s#$% riserough. This sob cant even pick out a hockey stick and he gets to pick the next coach. If this idiot is still around next year this team will turn into the Islanders. Wise up LEIPOLD!
Wow.
It’s only after they’re gone that you truly realize what you really had.
“I thought you’d be a lot lower. But you’re not high enough…”
Re: newspaper salaries in offseason
In increasing order of importance:
1) Losing Gaborik
2) Losing Lemaire
3) Losing Russo
I think we’re entering a 2-3 year dark period for the Wild; without Russo I’ll find it easier to tune out.
DR will not throw Jacques under the bus. Doesn’t mean we will necessarily like his next choice though. I would like to know who was tuning JL out. Sheesh.
Pat Quinn as GM, Pat Burns as coach…anyone??
Jacques, thanks for all the great memories! You will be missed!!
JL steps down, Gaborik walks, DR sits, and Leipold?
Waits.
GM Risebrough was tuning Lemaire out. Lemaire has been complaining about needing a center for a couple of years. Risebrough traded for Simon.
It’s just a part of all sports that there comes a day when players start tuning out even the greatest coaches. It’s just human nature. That’s why it is the right time for Jacques to go.
Best of luck JL, you did an amazing job.
Stoned and Toivo, last thread I said I would not trade Ovetchkin for Koivu. Yes, I am aware that O is the greatest talent in the NHL and can score more goals than most guys dream of.
But, I still would not make the trade. It is because Koivu is the first guy I want on the club. With Mikko you have a guy that is just as good when the team is in its own end. He has a team building attitude and is much more multi-talented than most guys. I think he is a great captain.
I am obviously no smarter than anyone else that comments on here, but I did say back in November that at some point players get tired of hearing the same voice, especially in the NHL.
That being said, thanks for everything Coach Lemaire. We were lucky to have you here for this long.
Kingpin: No thank you to Pat Quinn, and Pat Burns is suffering with cancer. He doesn’t need to clean up after DR.
So, no and no, thanks.
i have had season tickets since 1971.everyone will miss him.even the players they just do not know it yet
I want Super Mario!!
So with a new coach coming in, do we see the end of the “rotating captaincy” and Mikko get the permanent C?
Gun, I think that is the least of our concerns at the moment. I have never understood the fixation with who the captain is and whether it rotates.
Rodman, that is my opinion too.
Woodcock, it must be fair to say the entire team starts to tune him out a little near the end of a hard season.
This has been a grueling three and-a-half months. We have had a playoff atmosphere since January except the players have not all been aboard all the time.
Some dissension is the product of a struggling team that needs a rest but can’t afford it.
Since the disaster of December every single point gained was hard fought and way too many points were lost.
JL understood exactly what was happening. A guy with an eye for the detail that JL has would be constantly correcting what was wrong.
Of course nerves get raw edged and there are bound to be outbursts including outright mutiny (though maybe for the shortest periods of time).
IceMan @3:54 - easy on the kool-aid, my friend.
Correct HD, Mikko is good but he is not a god. We do have to be realistic. Yes, Ice, I am sure with this season as tough as it was some guys were tuning out and sounds like that is what has caused JL to quit as he still wants to coach.
On the rotating captain thing. IMO I dont think that the Oilers/Rangers would have wanted a rotating captain with Messier there, and I doubt that the Devils would have wanted anyone other the Scott Stevens as their captain. I’m not saying that Koivu is as good, or will ever be as good as either of those two, but IMO there has been no other player in the short history of this franchise that has brought the level of skill and competitive nature that he brings every night.
woodcock, no intention of sounding rude, but you don’t think having a consistent team leader/representative/voice during a season of transitioning to different coaching personalities/techniques/expecations is important?
If I were a new coach on a team that had recent issues with coaching, I think the first thing I would do would be to name a permanent captain - to help lead the team by example - and that guy, provided he is not a player named by the Don tomorrow speaking out against JL, would be Mikko
JL says he still has the fire and enjoys coaching. He would work only where he has a similar relationship that he and DR have.
Yet, he disqualifies himself from Montreal where he most have a positive relationship with Gainey because of the insatiable interest of the media.
And, that might also disqualify him from taking on a Toronto coaching job for the same reason.
So, you wonder just what he would consider the next ideal job and why?
If his players tuned him out so he did not feel he was getting through to them would it be his motivation to come back someplace where he could prove his point by instilling his system in a place where he could prove it works again?
Can JL work with himself?
Maybe someone makes him GM/Coach?
I thought and wrote earlier this year that JL’s time was up , but now I must say it is bittersweet. I’m scared like Russo but only about who DR will get as the next coach, cuz lord knows he can do a lot worse than JL. I’d like someone offensive minded like Peter Laviolette (sp?) but I don’t know how that would go over on a team that’s had defense etched in it for so long. And then there’s DR’s penchant for screwing up because he never wants to take a chance or he “sees” something no one else does. Very unsettling.
Leipold sits back and makes a ton of cash off of us loyal fans Ward Mtn! He doesn’t wait…They have been milking us for 8 years, and every year has been profitable. Why can’t they use that for some bonus money and get some good players here? Time for a revolution in the state of hockey my friends…
Gun, I didn’t mean to imply that the new coach won’t select a captain and indeed we must be the only team that rotates (or maybe one or two others, don’t know)and that guy ought to be a leader who the players look up to. My point was that with a new coach on the horizon, the need to sort out our own FA’s and the need to figure out how to replace Gaby in the FA market, that seems more important than pondering whether Mikko will wear the C, Frankly, I expect he will.
Ughy, don’t forget about the cap. It’s not as if we had tons of cap room. This isn’t baseball. If it were we would be in a pretty good situation.
Why can’t they use that for some bonus money and get some good players here? Time for a revolution in the state of hockey my friends…
Gotta love uneducated fans. It’s called a Cap. There isn’t “bonus money”.
Well we find out where we will be drafting tomorrow night. Do you guys know where we are projected to be as of today? I think 12th overall is where we finished. I could be wrong.
DR needs to go we will never win a championship with him we have had the chance to make moves to make us better like getting Hossa last year for the playoff run or anyone for that matter and then you let Demitra and Rolston walk in hopes that the young players that he drafted will carry the team. He is crazy if they don’t sign Gaborik to a long term deal we just don’t have enough talent to consistently win without him they should have taken care of this last summer maybe they should hire Kevin Mchale I bet he could do a better job drafting anyways I hope they draft Jordan Schreoder from the gophers at least we know he can score
Peter Laviolette would certainly be a change of pace,but an offensive system with the talent under contract could make for a couple of looooong seasons, and a team GAA that might increase by 50% ,hard to swallow from a losing team. Do you think the franchise would be patient with Laviolette until he got “his” team in place? Would DR pony-up for some offensive talent? Goal-scorers are pricey,ya’ know. I’m missing Jacques already. Great post,Mr Russo.
Yeah it looks like Nashville is drafting before us. I seriously doubt Poile passes on Shroeder if he falls that far when they drafted Colin Wilson last year(line mates at WJC for team USA). Don’t have your heart set on him anyways.
we’ll miss you pepe!
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
>>>Stoned and Toivo, last thread I said I would not trade Ovetchkin for Koivu.<<<
I know of a guy you might be able to work with. Has an office at 317 Rice Park. Name’s Risebrough. Look him up. You and he seem to possess the same “unique” perspective on building a team.
C’mon Ice. You are starting a team from scratch and you have an opportunity to pick up the single best hockey player on the planet and you want to pass him up for a guy who takes care of business in the defensive end? Not too mention that Ovie brings all the character things that Mikko does, and pizzazz. Having to make a choice, it is alot easier to find guys who can handle the defensive responsibilities than it is to find scorers. The Wild have been proving that in front of your very eyes for 8 years; no more so than this year.
@Fitz: It was Skoula, man. He quit listening and started scoring goals lol.
Ok, humor aside, and before everyone jumps on the “fire Risebrough” (again) campaign for signing a nobody for a coach, I’m going to go on record here.
Sans Lemaire, this team isn’t going to win 35 games next year.
I said it. Bookmark it. I hope I’m wrong, but I think it’ll become painfully clear next season how many games were won by Lemaire’s style of play. Even landing Hossa (who’s available) wouldn’t fix that.
Next season is a “rebuilding” year. It’ll take 2-3 of them to get back to the 95 point level. So even if DR does hire Laviolette and his wide-open style, pieces need to be shuffled and it can’t happen in one year.
Here is a name DR should at least keep in mind and he hails from International Falls, and no, I’m not talking about Kevin Constantine.
Mr. Russo what do you think about Dean Blais as our next Wild coach? He is a guy with experience at every level. I realize it is a Canadian coaching fraternity nowadays in the NHL, but I think he could have some success developing the Wild’s younger players.
I’d trade Koivu and Burnsie for Ovechkin. In a heartbeat.
(sorry Burnsie, but even you know how good that guy is!)
Blais?? Maybe for an AHL club, but he’s got no real NHL head coach experience.
They can’t drop Russo — who’s going to write in his place? Sid? Those vikings bloggers? That one guy that writes the “bad cop” articles?
So much of my Wild interest has to do with the personalities on the team. They market that pretty heavily as well.
It will be interesting to see what happens when the most compelling personalities on the team leave, ie. JL and Gaby. I could easily see me being more interested in watching them succeed somewhere else than watching a mediocre home team. Not to mention the loss of some longer term FA’s I like and turnover due to a new coach.
Of course, I’m not too proud to admit that if the new guys started winning, I’d probably get interested again. I’ve never had a problem with getting on and off the bandwagon. I’m here for the fun and entertainment.
Nick, don’t you have an opening for a beat writer
Just take a look at Blais’s resume before you brush him aside.
That guy who is doing a wonderful job in San Jose had no prior head coaching experience in the NHL either, sometimes it’s about finding the right voice that can relate to today’s multimillion dollar athletes and believe me Dean Blais is a great hockey mind.
Blais kind of fell off the map when he left UND to go to Columbus with whatshisname who then got canned. I was driving through Fargo not long ago and saw a billboard ad for the junior team touting him as their coach. GFK to Columbus to FGO. He needs a better career counselor or travel agent.
Sometimes you find a diamond in the rough with a rookie head coach, but more often than not it’s a 2-3 year program that’s part of the revolving door of coaching in the NHL. The real good coaches can last, but seldom as long as Lemaire, Bowman, Trotz, or even MacTavish. 3-4 years is the typical shelf life these days.
Ottawa seems to have found some success in the same mold, but time will tell.
It’s not quite that simple with Blais, he had to resign from his job in Columbus when his wife was diagnosed w/terminal cancer.
Stoned I think your referring to Doug MacLean.
Ughy I agree with you 100%. The only way things on the ice will ever change is if the fans stop showing up. Otherwise CL and DR will just be happy to keep running the same mediocre crap out there night after night after night. Thank goodness I am only a
PT worker and not a STH. =)
Tigger Woods - has a little scratch on his new and needs an entire year to recuperate after a little surgery. As a result, the worldwide media makes him out to be God or someone who just sprouted legs and walked across the Red Sea. (of course the media would love to report he also parted that same sea years ago.
Andrew Brunette - Rips his knee apart, and continues to play hockey (A REAL SPORT, NOT GOLF) so he can finish out the year playing and helping this team greatly. Then after playing in pain for much of the season, he has the knee REBUILT and will be back playing hockey, HOCKEY! in 16-24 WEEKS. What what kind of praise and recognition does he get? A little mention in a blog on the Strib.
Re:peteandroger says:
April 13th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
+1 Tiger Woods is a bitch.
You have to admit that Bruno can’t single-handly bring more exposure to hockey like Woods can to golf.
M. Lemaire-
J’aimerais vous remercier pour étant un tel bon entraîneur des Wild. Vous nous manquerons !
MERCI BEAUCOUP!
[…] very much, if anything. But the Wild had other problems too, other injuries and indifferent play. Jacques Lemaire won’t return as coach, the only one this team has ever known, and The Star-Tribune’s Michael Russo says […]
Ughy, I am not a season ticket holder but I do not feel milked, not in the least.
About four times per year I have had an opportunity to get to a Wild game. I have enjoyed each and every one.
I do not feel the least bit cheated for buying a beer and a hamburger or popcorn or a program or pizza either.
Also, I expect the team makes some profit off my spending. If not they won’t even be here. (Example: Norm Greed)
Stoned, I stand by it.
I think those were the Titanic architect’s last words, Ice.
No No No. Peter Laviolette is our guy. Winningest US born coach and offensive minded. Wild should be moved to the east, they have a pretty good case for it as well. A ridiculous amount of traveling, way more than anyone else in the nhl.
Michael up North says:
April 13th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Nick, don’t you have an opening for a beat writer
Hey! That’s my job! (Or haven’t you read the HTP blog this season…?)
Grrr….(again)
Wow, some harsh words for Tiger Woods on the hockey boards.
I hope Bruno recovers from his surgery, and I hope he does play hockey again. But, there’s no guarantees for the knees — I bet this guy is closer to retirement than some of you think.
I’m gonna miss his post game comments the most. He was funny. I generally thought he was a “good guy”. I think it was time though. Sometimes words get stale, and this wasn’t the vet team that could take that and continue to work. Sometimes kids need a fresh voice and I think that will help. I hope the next coach is a offensive minded coach. We need to be getting more out of Sheppard, Poliuot, Gillies, Bouchard, etc… Bouchard should be a superstar for that cash and his skills and the others should be netting 10-15-20 goals a year next year. They all have skills that should make them good offensive players, so I hope the next coach can coach them into the offensive players they need.
Its the end of the world as we know it….and I feel fine….
BTW which putz didn’t listen to a guy who has earned 11 rings?
Tyler Hirsch as the next head coach. Sanity isn’t a requirement, is it?
Hirsch? Where does that come from?
Best of luck to Jacques Lemaire. Its been a great eight years! Thank you!
We were wrong on our guess of it being Belanger. We should have figured that French Canadians stuck together.
It was Nolan who swore at Lemaire during the center ice team meeting. Reported in Russo’s article on Lemaire tonight.
Typical Minnesota Media…..we never hear of all this “tension” in the locker room until Lemaire goes…..New York media would not be so “delicate”.
Unless Nolan is a complete horse’s butt, what he said was probably what he sensed everybody else wanted to say but couldn’t for fear of getting in JL’s doghouse. He stood up for the boys.
The players sound like they will get over his departure pretty quick. Truth is, I don’t know how a 63 year old guy spends all his time around 20 somethings and maintains his sanity. The generation gap is enormous and only becoming more pronounced. I give him tremendous credit.
It seems like Jacque is taking the fall for this season being a failure. Is anyone else getting that sense?
Lemaire did watch Beerfest so maybe there isn’t much of a generation gap.
This whole situation has been interesting. The actual event, speculation leading, the comments and proposed replacments lagging. There is one thing I find amusing is the tv coverage with the outdated video clips - come on Demitra and Dupuis (green home jerseys) on the bench.
Michael - thank you again - fabulous coverage and information.
Wow, Sunshine. That is a big surprise! That is who Mrs Iceman suggested. Now, I will need to eat crow … lots of it.
Second paragraph Stoned, I sympathize.
Out with the GM…Bring in Brian Burke as the new GM and go and find Scottie Bowman to coach….
A rebroadcast of FSN presser and following will be on immediately when the Twins recap is done!
Domino: Not all. I get the sense that DR didn’t bring in enough good players to help out the team and Lemaire.
No Domino, I do not get that sense. I think he left for his own reasons and mostly that he decided the team was no longer listening.
I think injuries are what DR and others seem to say aren’t they?
Ice:
That’s what DR wants you to believe that its injuries. They are part of it but look at the Blues — McDonald gone for a good chunk, Kariya, Erik Johnson — and they are the #6th seed in the playoffs.
DR didn’t do enough in FA, resolve the Gaborik situation, and nothing at the trade deadline.
It’s interesting to read the comments from some of the players, including Burns and Schultz. They sound genuinely grateful for having JL, but kind of glad to be getting someone different, too.
Peter Laviolette anyone?
I agree with everyone else that says that DR is a bumbleface and all,,,
but aren’t we missing the point that this is the same guy that picked lemaire? I don’t know who else was available at the time… but still.
So he’s blown some FA & Draft decisions, but he’s 100% so far for his coaching decisions. As Russo said, we’ve been uncharacteristically luck so far to only have had one coach for this long.
And BTW - thanks Jacques. I like defense. It can be more entertaining if you get into the subtleties of the skill required.
JL, Bruno, Koivu, and Backstrom are the only ones that left their pride on the ice this season.
If it seems JL is taking the fall for the failures this year it is because of his personality and what history he brings to the game. He made these players good and wanted them to be great, but failed.
JL, thanks for making an expansion team look unexpansion like. Thank you Gabby for the goals and speed.
Thank you Russo for your insightful writing.
DR is going to search 2 months and after finding no one who will take the position he will then name himself coach!
That would be scary, Mr. Russo!
St. paulers unite!!!!!
(a day late and a dollor short though)
Lavi’s getting a lot of love on this blog…. Of course not as much as JL….but a lot none the less…..
do we have a excuse grabbers tm coming??
I’d do it my self, but have no idea how to do it (along with all of the other tricks you guys have up your gloves! 
)
Time to move to Dallas. FIRE DOUG R!
I do not disagree with your comment Sunshine.
Except to say the Wild just could not afford the injuries it did have because of the way it was constructed and the style it plays. So, to the Wild, it is it in a nutshell.
There is really no debate about why they were in this situation, but what doomed the season was the inability to score. Gaby comes back and it is fixed.
JimLove … I have never felt defense was boring either.
I love a team that competes and most every game the Wild have for eight seasons.
Defense is hard work, and so that is something else I appreciate about the team.
Cam, I think you can add Yohnsson to the list too, and maybe Schultz and Skoula, SRV, and maybe others. They gave whatever they had to give and they did it every night.
Tom Powers has a story on Tremblay. Thinks he should be the next coach! A little history too.
WRT, I didn’t imply you were out of a job! Meant it more like HTP could use a guy in the press box and the presser.
Yeah, right, MuN…but thanks for the ‘love’…
Iceman: Tremblay as the next coach? The man who ran Patrick Roy out of Montreal? I don’t think he’d want the job. He’s as old as JL and I just don’t think he’d want the hassle…
NiNY: thanks for the full dictionary & terminology for Russoville!
I’m late to the party as usual so here are some thoughts on some posts.
Permanent Captain:
There has been much discussion about Mikko’s older brother Saku coming here. Many have said they think Mikko, who after many years is finally digging himself out of his brother’s shadow, might not be so happy to have older brother come calling. Perhaps one way to ’sweeten’ that deal and ensure Mikko knows he’s still the man would be to give him the permanent C? The Wild get Saku and Koivu stays out of that shadow.
Oh man, I hadn’t even considered the perma-captain thing. That would be nice.
Iceman says:
April 13th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
JL says he still has the fire and enjoys coaching. He would work only where he has a similar relationship that he and DR have.
Yet, he disqualifies himself from Montreal where he most have a positive relationship with Gainey because of the insatiable interest of the media.
And, that might also disqualify him from taking on a Toronto coaching job for the same reason.
So, you wonder just what he would consider the next ideal job and why?
If his players tuned him out so he did not feel he was getting through to them would it be his motivation to come back someplace where he could prove his point by instilling his system in a place where he could prove it works again?
MKIA suggested Houston yesterday or the day before. He was not surprisingly ridiculed for this suggestion. I can’t believe it, but I actually agree with him. Much has been made of the fact that JL loves teaching. Where better to do it than in the AHL? He won’t have to deal with many veteran players who think they know how to play the game. Who better to show your kids what it takes to make it in the NHL than a guy who won the cup 11 times? Add in that Houston is on the Gulf and JL would be able to use and enjoy ‘The Trap’.
Also, JL in the minors teaching the kids how to be defensively responsible. Then, when they get the call to the big club, they’ll maybe enjoy more freedom, but they will still have some D responsibility ingrained.
peteandroger says:
April 13th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Tigger Woods - has a little scratch on his new and needs an entire year to recuperate after a little surgery. As a result, the worldwide media makes him out to be God or someone who just sprouted legs and walked across the Red Sea. (of course the media would love to report he also parted that same sea years ago.
Andrew Brunette - Rips his knee apart, and continues to play hockey (A REAL SPORT, NOT GOLF) so he can finish out the year playing and helping this team greatly. Then after playing in pain for much of the season, he has the knee REBUILT and will be back playing hockey, HOCKEY! in 16-24 WEEKS. What what kind of praise and recognition does he get? A little mention in a blog on the Strib.
Not to mention that in the NASH game, he gets hit by a 6 ounce vulcanized rubber disc IN THE FACE, loses two teeth and doesn’t miss a shift. In fact, the refs have to boot him from the ensuing face off because the rules say so!
sunshine says:
April 13th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
We were wrong on our guess of it being Belanger. We should have figured that French Canadians stuck together.
It was Nolan who swore at Lemaire during the center ice team meeting. Reported in Russo’s article on Lemaire tonight.
I wonder what was said and how? Was it “F you coach” or was it “WTF coach? I was trying to do what you said.” Because in my mind the two are a bit different. Still both should probably be held back…
I did notice against Nashville on Friday that Nolan didn’t seem to be quite the same.
There, I’m done for now. Off to work, I’ll be back later.
Seems like Nolan has kinda not really had JL on a pedestal all season. Remember when he basically ended practice even though JL wasn’t done?
DR didn’t do enough in FA, resolve the Gaborik situation, and nothing at the trade deadline.
I’m kj, and I approve this message.
St. paulers unite!!!!!
Johnson our dear old high school…
Ughy: From much earlier in the thread … my point about Leipold waiting is that while both Lemaire and Gaborik leave in one way or another, DR sits (remains)when he too should leave or be fired. But Leipold waits and does nothing. Like others here, I believe that DR has more rationalizations about the team and what he did than do politicians, that he didn’t get the players to make the team better this year, and has shown other limitations over past seasons in this area. When you add Leipold to the mix, who admits he doesn’t know much about hockey operations and has limited knowledge of the game (let’s play basketball!) and apparently worships at DR’s altar, I’m afraid that we can’t be too optimistic about the future.
McDonald gone for a good chunk, Kariya, Erik Johnson — and they are the #6th seed in the playoffs.
mcdonald played in 46 games. was out for half of november, all of december and january.
Kariya is a non factor. perhaps the most overrated player of the last 5 to 8 years.
johnson was missed but was in his 2nd year.
so sure, st louis had injuries but I don’t think they were the same as the wild’s injuries in terms of talent and timing.
I am going to disagree with the notion that a coach doesn’t need to be named by July 1. With the high level of inability of Ballgame to attract upper-end UFAs to the “Place where players want to play”, adding a big helping of uncertainty behind the bench will do nothing to quell the apprehension of any potential difference makers on the open market, and that inlcludes our beloved #10. Can’t imagine that high-end players are going to flock here if they don’t know whom the coach is going to be.
Kariya is hardly a nonfactor. Almost a point-per-game player the last 3 years (226 pts/246 games) and he played in 82 games every season for the last 3. Wish the Wild had more non-factors that scored almost a point per game.
Deep @ 7:35,
I agree 100%. If I’m an FA and the coachless Wild offers me the same amount or slightly more than another team with a stable GM/coach situation, I’m signing with the team where I know what I’m signing up for.
Seems like Nolan has kinda not really had JL on a pedestal all season
when you have been in the league for 20 years, it probably is hard to listen to your coach rant like you are a college kid.
Last year I thought JL was becoming less effective because the wild’s roster was evolving to be more vets. would players like demitra, 3000 hit hill, rolston, players that have been around the block, be willing to buy into being instructed like a rookie? JL was most effective when the wild were a bunch of rookies and castoffs. guys that had run out of options and had no reason not to play the game.
makes me wonder if JL could ever lead a talented team to a cup. could he get a team of stars to buy into what he is selling?
A lot of people think he will go or should go to montreal. I think he would be most effective in a place like atlanta or dare i say, the isle. someplace that is in disarray that he can apply his fix to.
Deep…you’re right, but the Smugapproach will be to remind us fans that it is a long and difficult process that takes time.
Besides, the kids need to play.
3000 hit hill
Coffee on the keyboard.
Kariya is hardly a nonfactor
ok, not a complete non-factor. i let a lot of my disliking of him creep into my normally unbiased comments.
i will add that his goals went from 31 to 24 to 16 the last 3 seasons. assists have hung around the 50 mark but then if many assists aren’t enough to say PMB is good, then the same goes for kariya.
makes me wonder if JL could ever lead a talented team to a cup. could he get a team of stars to buy into what he is selling?
Stevens, Niedermeyer, Brodeur, Daneyko, Holik, Broten, Driver, Guerin all won a Cup ‘cuz if what he was selling.
Wow…how did I leave off Shawn Chambers… 
Remind me again how many assists PMB had this year?
Not saying Kariya is Reg Dunlop, but he is in another class of player that Butch has not reached, despite the dollars that Ballgame threw at him.
Up to 2.5 months to find a coach would take them through the draft and right up to FA. Is this Smug “managing expectations”? If he estimates that much time and then delivers in a shorter time frame, he has exceeded expectations plus he isn’t constantly hounded by the media for a decision.
If it takes that long, doesn’t it say, “I am the President & GM and as my coach, your opinions on the draft and free agency don’t really interest me”?
Also, doesn’t it seem odd that he wants to spend a month talking to people inside the organization about the next coach? His coach of 9 years just left and his star player is leaving. By all accounts, he didn’t even talk to them enough to realize they were unhappy. Now he wants to talk to everybody and his brother.
From Russo’s article on Bruno and Koivu:
“I’m sick to my stomach. We got what we deserved,” Brunette said. “I hope we realize next year how hard it is to get in [the playoffs] and how every game, every point means something.”
THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is a hockey player.
Remind me again how many assists PMB had this year?
jesus christ.
when the debate about if PMB should or shouldn’t get an extension and at what cost. the many that said he wasn’t worth bertuzzi discredited his assist numbers because they gave them out to anyone.
that’s all i’m saying. it has nothing to do with his numbers from this year.
Stevens, Niedermeyer, Brodeur, Daneyko, Holik, Broten, Driver, Guerin all won a Cup ‘cuz if what he was selling.
true. but they were a team looking for an identity, IIRC, and they were stars not like today’s stars. money has definately changed things, but point taken.
SotB - the draft i’m not too concerned with. FA period, yes.
then the other fear is he takes 2.5 months to name KC or MT coach.
has anyone called for wes walz to be next head coach? or am i the 1st one to mention this lunacy?
G*: grist for the Kariya mill.
Last three seasons
GP G G/GM
Selanne
06-07 82 48 0.585
07-08 26 12 0.461
08-09 65 27 0.415
total 173 87 0.502
career 1132 579 0.511
Kariya
06-07 82 24 0.292
07-08 82 16 0.195
08-09 11 2 0.181
total 175 42 0.240
career 914 384 0.420
*So Paul has definitely been falling off his goals pace over the last 3 years. And, while Teemu’s goals are down year over year, his total for the three years is much more in line with his career average than is Paul’s.
now assists
Selanne
06-07 82 46 0.560
07-08 26 11 0.423
08-09 65 27 0.415
total 173 84 0.485
career 1132 633 0.559
Kariya
06-07 82 52 0.634
07-08 82 49 0.597
08-09 11 13 1.18
total 175 114 0.651
career 914 562 0.614
*This was basically a control I tossed in to show that Paul’s value is as more of a passer than a finisher.
money has definately changed things
Returned with a very good backhand…
Point taken.
>>>Stevens, Niedermeyer, Brodeur, Daneyko, Holik, Broten, Driver, Guerin all won a Cup ‘cuz if what he was selling.<<<
It was also 14 years ago. That was then, this is now. Man, I’m starting to sound like a Gorg interview what with the cliches.
Originally, I thought maybe he felt he could better handle the pressures of Montreal for the couple/three years it would take to make a legit run at it. He has ruled that out.
He is not going to the minors. He likes coaching, but he likes money & prestige as much or more. His time & talents are far too valuable for the minors.
It has been mentioned that Sutter could leave NJ to go to Edmonton and JL has a connection with Lamoriello.
He has mentioned that as he gets older, he becomes less patient about winning. I think he originally had a time table for making it work here. He probably even hung around longer than planned because he liked the place/team, etc. He could no longer overlook the fact that the Wild are not positioned to help him get what he wants.
I would bet, but not guarantee that he only goes to a place where he can make a SC run in 3 seasons or less.
Man, I’m starting to sound like a Gorg interview what with the cliches.
that was funny
Wasn’t Kariya affected by concussions earlier in his career? This is the first thing that comes to mind any time I hear Kariya’s name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8up-tkxZ4r8
The shot at 0:26 when he comes to and his shield fogs - holy crap!
2.5 months to select KC?
One has to wonder if they had to dangle the Wild head job (some reporter will eventually refer to it in those terms. For your benefit G*, I hope its Marney) in front of KC to get him to Houston in the first place. If that was the plan, then they just need to announce it now. “This has been our succession plan all along. We have been grooming KC for this day.” Not saying I would agree with the choice, but waiting a couple of months and then picking him makes you look even more indecisive and without a plan. How can one be surprised and unprepared to find a replacement for a 63 year old coach that you had to talk into coming back for a lesser season. Why Smug doesn’t have a short list of candidates hidden in that infamous “war room” is beyond me.
Perhaps, Stoned, waiting past the FA deadline to pick KC means it’s easier to get certain guys to sign.
I will defer to your expertise in this area ms.c.
For your benefit G*, I hope its Marney
i’m tryin to work here.
Why Smug doesn’t have a short list of candidates hidden in that infamous “war room” is beyond me
wouldn’t it be sound business practice to maintain a list of possible coaching candidates should said coach leave? wouldn’t you, as a yearly exercise, talk with your geniuses and devise a list of 5 potential replacements?
Goody:
I had forgotten about that Stevens hit. Hope PK’s mama wasn’t in the stands or watching on TV. She’d a freaked.
The opportunities to take guys out when their heads are down like that present themselves every game. What makes a guy like Stevens always be on the lookout for them while other players pass up the chance to drill an unsuspecting competitor? It’s gotta be an “assasin” mentality or something like that.
or better yet, assassin
“wouldn’t it be sound business practice…..”
Probably discussed in the first chapter of “Business Management for Dummies”.
SotB - you could remember it like this: when talking about DR, one a$$ isn’t enough.
SotB, I’d say Cal has that mentality, but he’s a wing so the open ice hits are a little less common. Stevens sure was good at it though.
I’m going to appologize in advance in case someone already asked this, but in Russo’s article, it’s stated that DR probably won’t have a coach in place before FA starts. What the he(double hockey sticks) is he thinking? No FA in his right mind is going to come to a team that doesn’t have a coach. Can we please axe DR while we have the chance? There’s no better time. We’re starting over as is. Goodby coach, goodbye superstar, let’s make it goodbye GM and clean house completely.
JD: That was my point earlier this morning. Also, wouldn’t you want a coach in place for the draft? Would like to see the new bench boss in place to offer some input regarding the #1 pick, which incidentally, looks to be the only shot at improving the team via the draft since the 2nd and 3rd rounders were done away with.
Smug can use the coaching situation as a plausable reason for not signing UFAs.
Excuse Grabbing™ 101.
The draft? I didn’t know the NHL had one. When did this happen? Does DR know there’s a draft?
Good point DB, and KJ.
Can’t sign the wrong guy if you don’t sign anyone.
Can’t draft the wrong guy if there’s no coach to say you’re wrong.
Kariya makes Zsa Zsa look like the Iron Horse. Hard to know if he still has it if he were to actually stay healthy.
On the draft, IMO… first round, you take the best guy available when it’s your turn. Doesn’t matter if he’s a forward, a D or a goalie. Well, maybe we’d skip a goalie, but you get the point. In the year when AO and Crosby were drafted, would you have skipped them because what your team really needed was a #1 D?
2nd and further rounds, you address team needs when deciding who to draft. But as Deep points out, we don’t need to worry about that this year.
in the draft you draft players, you are not negotiating with them trying to persuade them to join your squad, in which case, the player may want to factor in who the coach is.
jaromir: Kariya played in all 82 games the 3 years prior to getting hurt this year.
WRT, I am not endorsing Tremblay, just pointed out the story!
You are the first to mention Walz G*, at least that I have seen. For my money he is not nearly ready for a head job.
Not sure any NHL coach has much of a role in the draft, otherwise what are scouts for? The NHL coach is with his team for 82 games. Draft eligible players are in colleges, juniors, Europe, Russia, et al.
I don’t see how coaches could possible have time to be aware of the scouting details of individual abilities of draftable players coming from such a wide area.
It is not like the NFL where if the coach needs a QB or DE or CB they have the guy even earmarked, and all the guys come from the same place, the colleges.
GreenStar says:
April 14th, 2009 at 9:18 am
in the draft you draft players, you are not negotiating with them trying to persuade them to join your squad, in which case, the player may want to factor in who the coach is.
I’d venture a guess that the players are just ecstatic their name is called. It doesn’t matter to them who calls it. Sure, some have preferences, but I seriously doubt that to any of them it is “It’s this team or nothing.”.
No no no. Do not skip a goalie! This team is utterly desperate for goalie depth.
Coaches don’t tend to have a great deal of input into the draft in hockey. It is generally known where the organization has a need, and it is hoped that the scouting department has an idea who is actually the best player left on the board. Last year the organization needed to stock defenders.
It’s obvious the Wild need scorers and more depth at center. But, by the time you get to 10th - 15th in the draft, you tend to find the player, any player, that you’re the most feel most certain will make an impact during their career who is still available.
The FA period is where you need the coach in place. The coach determines the system, and the system determines where and how those talented FA’s work into the team.
Say what you want about last season, but I think that Hossa almost came to MN. I think the call of Detroit and that far too excellent of a chance to win a Cup sooner than later won out over a solid team and a chance to play with Gaborik.
This year, we’re looking for an FA to become A or quite possibly THE focal point of the offensive system. It might be nice to have a coach that can determine what that system might be when the Wild reach out to players.
Goody, I wonder if someone like Tavares, who will play and make an impact next year, is hoping that someone other than the Islanders get that first pick.
Seriously… when are you people going to stop bashing my home boy Butch? He is a fantastic puck handler and an excellent passer. You can’t have a team full of guys that only shoot the puck (not that the Wild does)… you need a guy like him. Plus, after the All Star Break he started shooting the puck more.
Re:Kayria
I would take him.. but it would have to be real cheap. He is getting up there in age for a hockey player. I think his effectiveness is fading some… but he definitely could still contribute.
I wonder if someone like Tavares, who will play and make an impact next year
Didn’t they say that about Stamkos too? And what did he do other than STB?
The only thing I see that the coach can do at the draft is to communicate to the GM where their weaknesses lie. The GM then has to consult with the scouts to figure out which player best addresses those weaknesses. As a new coach might not have a good grasp of the team’s weaknesses…
Jake the Wall says:
April 14th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Goody, I wonder if someone like Tavares, who will play and make an impact next year, is hoping that someone other than the Islanders get that first pick.
I’d have to say it depends on his attitude. Does he want to be picked by a Detroit where he’ll likely play in the AHL, or does he want to be picked by an Islanders where he’ll play in the NHL?
If his goal is playing in the NHL, a team such as the Islanders might offer him the best chance of playing in the NHL right away.
If his goal is to win a Cup in his first season, his best chance would be with a team that is just out now but with one more little piece would make it.
Re: the new coach timeline
Glass half full of Kool Aid: DR is definately not going to go with KC and wants to see what other high end coaches hit the market over the next few weeks and will then make an offer. In reality, he knows he needs to get this done way before July 1 not only for UFAs but to make a last pitch to #10.
Glass half empty of Kool Aid: DR already knows the #10 bridge is burned and he wants to rebuild anyway as he has full CL support.
Six Goalie System: In typical DR fashion the best move in the NHL last year appears to be SJS hiring DET assistant McLellan. So this year, DR will hire an assistant from whatever team wins the Cup. He will then tell us how much smarter he is compared to everyone else
The only thing I see that the coach can do at the draft is to communicate to the GM where their weaknesses lie.
That being the case, then it doesn’t matter if DR hires JL’s replacement before the draft or after, since whomever it is will not have seen one practice with his new team at that point.
I wouldn’t want to go to the Isles if I was Tavares or Hedman simply because I wouldn’t want to catch gangrene or whatever that skin fungus is on Okposo’s neck.
Deep Breath - my bad on Kariya. 50 assists each of the last 3 years b/4 this one. I lose track of whether someone’s on IR or just playing in Nashville. Short term would be a good gamble. However I know he was not happy in Anaheim playing Babcock’s old defensive style, so he might not put us at the top of his list. (Free agents not interested in coming to play defense first - sounds like an issue from past posts).
NiNY - fungus - classic!
Reasons to hurry the coach decision:
It might affect re-signing free agents.
It might affect the ability to attract new free agents.
However I know he was not happy in Anaheim playing Babcock’s old defensive style, so he might not put us at the top of his list.
But with a new coach… who knows what the style will be like?
God I just had a sad thought… No practice food today. 
No morning skate food today.
The reality/enormity of it is setting in.
I haven’t read through all the comments so excuse me if this has been discussed.
I have a problem labeling James Sheppard as off-limits for a trade if the guy can’t figure out how to communicate with his coach. What is that all about?
“He didn’t understand where I was coming from.”
I’m sorry James, but nobody gives a sh*t where you are coming from. You are here now and he is/was your coach. Everyone works for a boss they don’t like from time to time, but you still give it your best effort. That is what you’re paid to do.
Grow up James Sheppard. You’ve haven’t earned any respect in my book. Just because DR thinks you’re god-like doesn’t make it true.
Perhaps you’ll communicate better with the coach of the Aeros next season.
ugh…Goody…thanks for that.
You want to come over and kick my dog, too?
AiH goes BOOM!
Austin - hire Laviolette and then bring in Kariya - works for me. What’s DR’s problem, being a g.m. is easy.
Sorry, but a new coach won’t make PMB worth his grossly overpaid salary.
(Just wanted to see if you’re still awake AiH)
Food - good rant on Shep AiH.
kj, don’t make me smack you. Enough with the trashing PMB damnit!
Oh snap, Aaron…
God, I love to have him down here. Rawr. He can have whatever attitude he wants.
Right you are Nick. I might be way off base, but it needed to be said.
“Hello, my name is James Sheppard. After torching the Q with Cape Breton I have gone on to compile 9 goals in 160 NHL games while racking up a -14 rating. You might ask why I’ve gotten such a slow start, well my friends, it is because the coach doesn’t understand where I’m coming from.”
What does that even mean? Understand where I’m coming from?
I saw that too Aaron, it proves immaturity. Absurd, “I have been playing since I was three”? Big deal!
Wasn’t it G* who remembered Shep as a rookie watching TV instead of improving skills?
