Sources: Fletcher to be named GM on Friday
Posted on May 21st, 2009 – 3:51 PMBy Michael Russo
Greetings from Honolulu.
A new era for the Wild begins Friday.
According to NHL sources, the Star Tribune has learned that the Wild has agreed to terms with Pittsburgh Penguins assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher to replace Doug Risebrough, who was fired April 16.
An announcement is expected Friday.
Fletcher could not be reached for comment and the Wild would not confirm. The Wild would prefer not to conflict with the Wolves’ announcement, but with the Penguins playing tonight and Saturday, this had to be the timing.
Fletcher, 41, the son of longtime NHL exec Cliff Fletcher, has been around the sport since he was a child. He’s got 16 years of experience with Florida, Anaheim and Pittsburgh, and he’s only 41, working alongside some of the NHL’s most respected executives — Bill Torrey, Bobby Clarke, Bryan Murray, Brian Burke and now Ray Shero.
He’s a rarity because he negotiates contracts, like the $58 million Pavel Bure deal in Florida, and helps scout and draft players. It’s a team effort, obviously, but some of the best include Ed Jovanovski, Rob Niedermayer, Rhett Warrener, Kristian Huselius, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Joffrey Lupul and Bobby Ryan.
Fletcher played a huge part in the Panthers’ 1993 expansion draft that turned into the core (John Vanbiesbrouck, Scott Mellanby, Brian Skrudland, Tom Fitzgerald and Bill Lindsay the most notables) of Florida’s 1996 run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
He’s also been to the Finals with Anaheim and Pittsburgh.
“It’s his time to be a GM,” Murray, now Ottawa’s GM, told the Star Tribune earlier this month. “He’s an intelligent guy – I used to say young guy, but he’s getting up there now. The most important thing to being a GM is your people skills, and he’s real classy in that regard and has earned the respect of the players because of his treatment of them.
“It’s so important to have a guy who knows how to negotiate contracts, and he’s such a strong candidate for Minnesota also because he understands what it takes to play in this league.”
More later
56 Responses to "Sources: Fletcher to be named GM on Friday"
thank god it’s not mcguire
I am excited. I wasn’t too thrilled with the broadcaster idea. I like good guys that people like, but that doesn’t mean that person should be a GM
While I think McGuire would have been fine as well, this pick feels pretty good. Solid background, good bloodlines and has been a part of successful organizations.
Let’s hope he likes Laviolette.
Awesome news…. I hope. We will see how it pans out, but Fletcher seemed to be the best option. I was really not hyped for the McGuire idea. Now get something done Fletcher!
This guy has been a part of a lot of winners, unlike the last guy we had. Hopefully he does a good job hiring a coach who doesn’t only coach defense and rely on amazing goal tending. Oh, bringing in some good players would be nice.
Just glad to get closure. None of us knows enough to know who would be the best (Fletch, McGuire, McNab) but Fletcher sounds just fine. Can’t wait to see the new coach and what moves Fletcher makes.
good news, any idea about when he will start. Seems to me there is a lot of work that needs to be done, although I realize resignings don’t happen until or after July 1, hopefully he’ll be on board soon enough to not let opportunities slip by. The Wild really can’t afford more wasted time.
Wild trump the Wolves again, both GM’s to be introduced on Friday. Coincedence?
Maybe Craig Leipold wants to buy a basketball team . . . At least 1 out of 2 teams seem to have gotten it right.
Does this mean my brother is on the first flight back to the mainland today? I hope not. Enjoy your vacation. I’ll cover the news conference.
Finally!! Looks like Liepold picked a winner here. Now, lets get him here & see what he can do to turn this team in a positive direction with some looks at some key players available.
Correct choice.
TIME TO PARTY! Wow! Way to go Leopold!!!!!!!!!!
2 questions.
1. Does this give us instant East Coast Bias “cred” for the remainder of teh summer?
2. IF the Pens win the cup, does he still get a ring if he leaves his post before the post season ? 
In all seriousness, I think this was the right call. McGuire would have been a hasty pick just for the sake of being the biggest “change” in the head office. What we needed is a guy who can negotiate and have a strong relationship with the team. It sounds like we got him.
before the *end of* the post season
I said earlier on that the best choice was probably Fletcher, just because of his background (read: Daaa-ddy) and his previous experience. He learned well, now let’s see what he has indeed learned and how he goes about the business of righting the Wild’s ship of state.
FWIW: Juat a reminder…
Four weeks from tomorrow (June 26) is the first day of the NHL draft, and July 1 is only 34 days away…
That FWIW was ‘Just’ a reminder…
The Wild would prefer not to conflict with the Wolves’ announcement
Sid and Patrick are going to be ticked so I love the pick even more. Congrats to CL.
Sid and Patrick are going to be ticked so I love the pick even more. Congrats to CL.
So when do you expect there to be a Sid article about how the Wild ruined this day for the Wolves and how they act like they are the spoiled baby of the perverbial Minnesota sports family?
Glad it wasn’t PM. Didn’t that guy who says he knows everything tell us PM was the right pick and the one the Wild would choose? Or am I just thinking that because he never gets anything right? Anyway, NICE!!!!
Great move cant wait to see what happens in near future just reupped by season tickets yesterday
Russo has the following at the link below. It includes this:
It appears from the very early going that Leipold wanted Fletcher. He’s the only person to receive a second interview
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/45746452.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DUs
4 pm news conference tomorrow announced by the Wild. Russo - you still have time to hop the HNL to MSP flight home this evening to attend in person.
just happy it was Pierre McGuire.
my question is, who in the hell goes to Hawaii in the summer. Isn’t Hawaii expensive as hell? Star Trib pays too much, no wonder they’re going belly up.
whoops, happy it WASN’T Pierre McGuire.
Will you confirm that you got a second interview Hockey Guru Dan?
*Tears of joy*
If you are indeed coming back for tomorrow’s presser, Michael…
Don’t forget my pineapple! 
Low 80’s and sun in Maui this week. Nice place to unwind after a long season. Read the news HGD. We’re in an economic meltdown. Great vacation deals everywhere you look.
Not to mention the rediculous number of frequent flyer miles he must rack up over the season.
Great vacation deals everywhere you look.
And, that it’s off-season for Hawaii, so this would be the time to go and save some money. Oh, when would an NHL beat writer go on vacation other than summer?
I would have been comfortable with Fletcher, Mcguire, or McNab, but I really do like what Fletcher seems to bring to the table. He’s a young, smart guy that has been around teams and GMs that have made moves to improve their teams.
Good deal.
The Wild get the guy that they want, while the Wolves get the only guy left that wanted them.
woohooo!!!!!!!
thank you, mr. leipold! and russo, didn’t you figure this would happen when you’re slumming it on the islands?
Nice! Great choice. I can’t wait to see what he can do.
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
I’m pumped. This was my choice.
So, does that mean he will start right away or will he stay with the Pens until they are done with their playoff run?
Hopefully, we can get this answered tomorrow. He needs to start looking for a coach too.
I don’t think he can afford not to hit the ground running on Friday. He has too many people to hire and things to think about. Honestly, what would he have to do in Pitt between now and the end of the Penguin’s playoff run? He is needed here.
Great Choice! Looking for the inside scoop details from Russo. Hurry back Michael!
…over and over about the Wild and their apparent lack of dedication to actually bringing a Stanley Cup to MN.
I now feel a whole lot better. Thank you Mr Leopold for, what appears to be, a great 1st step to turn this franchise around.
Good stuff. Let us hear what Burke-ee has to say and congratulate him after the announcement.
Seems a good choice. I wonder if we’ll get Gretz, since he’s probably on the way out in Phoenix?
Seriously, there isn’t a lot of time to get a coach in place to make a meaningful impact before the draft. I have an odd feeling the two will be addressed separately. Fletch will draft who he thinks is best for the team and work on personnel. He’ll probably have to work the search for a coach in between. Not so important at the draft, but it’s more important before July 1.
Good choice, maybe Fletcher got it over McGuire. Seems like CL wants to keep Gaborik. PM didn’t want Gaborik. Maybe that tipped the scales.
Russo,
You never disappoint! Thanks for putting down the mai tai and giving us an article and blog to chew on. You’ve been missed.
Glad the job isn’t going to Lynn and I was apprehensive about McGuire being named. Any guesses who Fletcher will tap as coach? Are you bummed you won’t be covering McGuire?
Sincerely hope you had a good vacation.
I was hoping for Mike Santos from the Nashville organization to get the job. I believe he is the son of well known actor Joe Santos, and it would have been nice to get a little buzz going with the Wild. Hollywood celebrities probably would have started to go to games and follow the team especially when they played games in California. We probably could have got the Great Gretzky as head coach as his wife was always looking to be a big movie star and I’m sure Mike’s father (Joe) or his close friend James Garner could have helped her get her foot in the door. Wayne has done such a great job in Phoenix.
Instead it looks like the Wild has blown it once again. I’m sure Doug is laughing his head off and he can’t wait to see the team fail.
And they’re out of the gate for the Wild Coaching Derby. Todd Richards moves hard to the rail and has the early lead as they head into the first turn.
I nominate Walzie for coach. come on do it Wes!
Mister Know it all is right again
Fletcher is the obvious choice. Kudos to CL for not ’stretching’ to make a hire.
I believe this is as hopeful a time as when the NHL announced an expansion team for MN to replace the GoneStars.
I think TooL should jump on his Vespa and ride to New Ulm and meet up with Smug. That must be one hell of an unemployment check… 
RET from last thread: —While I usually agree with you, we cannot be further apart on the issue of Hossa and his decision to go for the cup instead of signing a luctrative long term deal with the Oil.—-
RET, If I were Hossa, I would not have signed for 9 years in Edmonton no matter what the circumstances. But I would have found a long term deal in a place that I wanted to go and sign it over a one year deal in Detroit.
While you may think that fans have no idea how much players want to get their name on the SC, I will suggest to you that players have little idea how insignificant it will be to them years down the road. There are ex-players hawking their championship rings every day.
In the old days, it was the romantic notion of playing for the love of the game and the SC. Of course it was. There was no other logical reason to play. I don’t deny the desire to be a champion, but its value lasts all of about a day after the parade. Then you have to wake up and find a new dream or purpose.
The SC and its tradition is a great marketing tool and all. You are certainly not alone in buying into it. In the end, its just a game, people move on and the only thing it really ends up mattering to is the player’s ego.
What Marian Hossa will come to realize someday is that he can make far more personally rewarding and enduring contributions to the world with another $30/40M in his hands than he ever will with his name on the SC.
Hopefully, he will get his SC this year with the Wings, stay healthy and sign a long term deal, perhaps even with the Wings. The story will be complete.
Or he could suffer a career ending injury in game 4 of the finals which the Wings go on to win. He gets his name on the SC, but collects his last paycheck as a hockey player.
I wouldn’t want to wake up every morning for the rest of my life thinking, “Ahhh. My name is on the SC. Oops, I tinkled away $80M to get it.”
If that’s not slow persistent Chinese water torture to a highly competitive personality, nothing is.
People have forgotten the essence of sport. It really doesn’t matter if you win or lose, its how you play the game.
That post looked shorter when I was putting it together in this little box.
My apologies.
SOTB, I think Hossa signed in Det for 1 year for both reasons, he would have a great opportunity for the Cup and being able to be the top free agent this year and pretty much pick his price and where he wanted to go. Oh, and the career ending injury, don’t you think he may have taken out an insurance policy for 1 year with Lloyds of London that might return millions if that injury occurred?
Great move by the Wild hiring Fletcher.
[…] While Eklund was taking credit for breaking the story and blabbering on in the forum, it was quickly pointed out by other members that he in fact did not report it first, probably getting the news from Michael Russo, who covers the Wild for the StarTribune and who had a blog up at 3:51pm (cst) at Russo’s Rants: […]
The above hockeybuzzhogwash site is funny. Lovin’ this Eklund rumor generator.
