Brunette Xtra; Fletcher to finally get name on Cup?
Posted on June 15th, 2009 – 11:37 AMBy Michael Russo
Yo MinnesOHta, Russo here about to get out into this weather.
If you didn’t see, here’s the Andrew Brunette story that appeared in Monday’s editions.
This was my favorite Brunette quote of the story: “I hear the cadaver they put in was from a guy with a really fast ACL, like maybe a sprinter.”
You’ve got to respect his always self-deprecating humor about his speed.
Just some other stuff from Brunette:
– He said he hasn’t felt any pain in three weeks. If he kneels down awkwardly or puts pressure near the scars, he feels a bit of a ting, but other than that, the operation went very well.
“It feels so good, you think you can go out and run or do whatever on it. But the reality is it’s still very weak. You have to remember that.”
In August, he’ll really start working on that right leg.
– Brunette said he’s been going stir crazy since the season. Unable to do much, Brunette watched literally almost every hockey game he could, some on TiVo. His favorite series’ were Jersey-Carolina, Anaheim-Detroit and the Finals.
“Too much hockey almost. I can’t turn it off,” he said before the playoffs concluded. “I always kind of pay attention, but now I can’t get my mind off hockey. It’s almost an overload. It’s addicting. I can’t turn it off.”
– On the new regime: “Everybody was in a shock period, then almost an uncertainty period. But then, the thought of change is good. With Chuck [Fletcher] here, the new regime here, you get the feeling of what’s going on, where they want to take this team. I think the excitement level of the players, the guys I’ve talked to, is pretty high. Nothing against what was here before. We were very successful with what they did for nine years. But sometimes for guys like Nick Schultz or Burnzie, guys that have been around for a long time, sometimes it’s a nice little break or change of scenery or breath of fresh air when you know everything’s going to be different. In some ways, familiarity is good and change, you’re a little nervous about it. But I think in this case, this is going to be good.”
——————-
Oh, since we last spoke, a new Stanley Cup champion was crowned. What a Game 7!
Those who picked Pittsburgh couldn’t have felt too good about their pick after the Pens feel down 2-0 or dropped Game 5 by five goals. But the Pens are one deep, skilled team, and one that can clamp down defensively as well as anybody.
New Wild GM Chuck Fletcher, the Penguins’ assistant GM as of three-plus weeks ago, got to take in the game and festivities. I am told by people in Pittsburgh that Penguins GM Ray Shero is going to make sure Fletcher gets his name on the Cup and gets a Stanley Cup ring.
Fletcher’s been oh-so close many times. As Florida’s assistant GM in 1996, the third-year Panthers got swept in the Finals by Colorado. As Anaheim’s assistant GM in 2003, the Ducks lost in Game 7 of the Finals at New Jersey. Fletcher took the Pittsburgh job and in his first season in Pittsburgh, Anaheim wins it all. So he just missed that, and then the Pens lose in last year’s Stanley Cup Finals.
But this was a different story and the Pens feel Fletcher was a part of this even though he technically was employed by a different team the last three-plus weeks (he was around Calgary when the Flames won in ‘89 because his father, Cliff, was GM).
Now all Fletcher’s got to do is build a Cup-caliber team in Minnesota. Won’t be easy though. One thing the Finals proved is how far the Wild really are (is?). The Wild is severely short assets because of the fact it has had one second-round pick and no third-round picks the last three years (unless Fletcher picks up some picks this Draft) and has routinely allowed free agents to walk away for nothing.
It’ll take some patience peeps.
Speaking of patience, a new coach will be in place soon.
53 Responses to "Brunette Xtra; Fletcher to finally get name on Cup?"
Sorry for posting twice…
I wouldn’t say that I HATE Hossa but I will say I think it is hilarious that he snubbed the Penguins because he had a better chance to win a cup with the Wings. That’s some good irony.
I thought that Hockey’s Future write up was a bit of a head scratcher too. I don’t see the tendency to draft college players when we’ve only taken 1 in the first two rounds in our entire history. I don’t think Fletcher has taken a ton of college players as an assitant GM? Also the suggestion that we trade away the pick for immediate help makes even less sense. We’re bare of any top end prospects save for Cuma, it’s been confirmed directly from Chuck Fletcher that he loves having draft picks and this is considered a deep draft and we have a top 15 pick. Just makes ZERO sense.
Soon, like today? 
Have you heard if Tip got added to the “short list,” Russo?
Good stuff Russo. I liked that Brunno line myself.
“A new coach will be in place soon”, good, I’m looking forward to the weeks ahead with the new coach, draft and FA all coming up. Something to dull the Favre noise.
Greg says:
June 15th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Something to dull the Favre noise.
Greg, I hate to burst your bubble, but short of winning the Cup nothing the Wild does would outrank Favre noise in the local media. It sucks, but it’s true. This morning on the radio talking about the sports news over the weekend: “Oh yeah, and the Penguins won the Stanley Cup.” One line as an afterthought.
Goody, I know it won’t go away, I just want an alternative, and I should have that for the next couple weeks.
I would hope by no later than Thursday we would have a coaching annoucement. My money is on Richards to get the job.
Russo, do you know if MaClean is getting an interview?
–“I hear the cadaver they put in was from a guy with a really fast ACL, like maybe a sprinter.”
As the sister of a bone and tissue donor, I hope Mr. Brunette took a moment to remember the unselfish decision his donor’s family made.
Laviolette. Laviolette. Laviolette. Please. Laviolette.
Have been out of the loop since the game ended on Friday so if this has been discussed already, I apologize.
Am I hearing things correctly that the whining little baby from Pitts refused to shake hands after the game with Lindstrom?
If true, that totally solidifies the opinion I have of him, particularly after the infamous “announcment request” in the Washington series, and the beyond-stupid public admission of it afterwards. I don’t care how talented he is or how much the NHL and the media want to anoint him as “King Sid” of the NHL, he is still a whining little baby who acts more like a 12-year-old hockey player at times than a 21-year-old who is a four-year veteran now. The post-game handshake in hockey is one of the truly great traditions in all sports, and even though I would expect a classless snub to occur in someplace like the NBA, to have an issue with it come up in the NHL is extremely distasteful IMO.
And on a completely different note… So, is anyone up for a Skoula for Stuart trade now? Or maybe MZ for Stuart.
Does anyone else think that unlike STK, Bruno would have been out there taking his shifts in the third period of game 7 of the SC finals, torn ACL & all?
Bruno would have been out there taking his shifts in the third period of game 7 of the SC finals, torn ACL & all?
No question about it. The guy is a robot.
The whole handshake thing was probably blown out of proportion by the media & a couple of dejected wings. And by know means am I a STK apologist.
Am I hearing things correctly that the whining little baby from Pitts refused to shake hands after the game with Lindstrom?
Geno, I posted on this at the end of the prior string, but IMO, it’s the Wings making an issue where there is none. And I am in the camp that generally believes STK is a baby.
Geno, to me it seems as though Sid was a little late getting to the line due to on ice interviews and the Wings at the front of the line weren’t about to wait for him.
I’m pretty neutral on Crosby, but in this case I think the Wings are crying a little hard over this. He was in the line to shake a number of their players and coaches hands.
I for one am not so keen on Laviolette. I just can’t get it out of my head that he won the cup and then missed the playoffs two years in an awful division.
I will trust the new GM though and if he thinks he’s the best man for the job, then I look forward to watching it.
So the “experts” over at nhl.com have mock drafts up… these are the guys that they project the Wild could grab in the first round. They all seem like strong candidates to me. Can’t decide who I would have them pick if it were my decision.
Carter Ashton:
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2009/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Carter-Ashton
Scott Glennie: http://www.mynhldraft.com/2009/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Scott-Glennie
Jordan Schroeder:
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2009/NHL-Draft-Profiles/
So the “experts” over at nhl.com have mock drafts up… these are the guys that they project the Wild could grab in the first round. They all seem like strong candidates to me. Can’t decide who I would have them pick if it were my decision.
Note: It won’t allow me to post multiple links in one post, so here comes a tripple post.
Carter Ashton:
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2009/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Carter-Ashton
Jordan Schroeder:
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2009/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Jordan-Schroeder
Geno, STK did go through the line, but he was the last one and a couple of guys on Detroit had already headed for the locker room. Lindstrom was one of those who was off the ice. Not saying Lindstrom was wrong about his criticism, but when I watched it, it seemed that STK was just overwhelmed with celebrating and then noticed the handshakes at center ice.
Still as the captain, STK should have been at the front of that line.
What are the odds of a new coach by the end of the week? Probably pretty good.
i read a story on yahoo about this handshake thing and believe that a little more googling would have saved geno a post.
Hey Austin,
Thanks for the links. I love a good mock draft! I like everyone of those picks. That Ashton kid has some good size to him and sounds like a good shot from what I’ve heard. Would be happy with Glennie as well, the kid has great speed. Everyone knows I’ve been throwing out Schroeder since the start of the year.
Throwing out his name not throwing him away as an option. Looked funny after I posted it.
I do love the speculation that preceeds the draft Lucky.
I think I like the sound of that Carter Ashton kid. It would be nice to find a more in depth scout on him though.
ATF,
I think Schroeder will be gone by the time the Wild pick.
I wouldn’t mind Carter Ashton. Looks like he has good size and can score. I noticed on theie mock draft they have the Wild taking Zack Kassian with the #12 pick.
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2009/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Zack-Kassian
Re: Kassian
He hits people a lot, in fact maybe going out of his way too much some times to do so.
Sounds like a Clutter redux eh?
I have seen this Kassian kid mentioned with the Wild from a few places I think. I would rather go with someone that may be more of a scoring threat. Although Kassian did step his scoring way up this year accoring to that report.
“I think Schroeder will be gone by the time the Wild pick.”
I agree with this 100% but if he is somehow still there I think we should scoop him. My gut feeling is Nashville takes him if he slips. Then in a few years they have a line with Colin Wilson and Jordan Schroeder. Bright future in TN!
Too confusing to have two Kassians in the system.
And the whiny beotch in Handshakegate is Draper. Not Lidstrom OR Crosby. Drapes is the one I think is a tool now.
What did Draper do? I must have missed that debate.
Draper was the one who whined to the media about it. As far as I read, it all came from him, not Lids.
It is foolish to read anything into what happens or doesn’t happen in a handshake line.
Especially immediately after a Game Seven.
Especially when it was for the Stanley Cup.
Especially when a diving save sealed the win as the final horn sounded.
Schroeder is intriguing. He’s like what we hoped to get in PMB, as a center. I have watched him play a handful of times, and he does have the skill to transition to the NHL.
I’d like to hear more about Ashton. Glennie seems a good prospect from what I’ve heard.
Really, I just want something to happen…coach, trades, draft. Bring it on.
Me too Jake… I am antsy to say the least.
That diving save is still rocking my socks 3 days later.
It was one heck of an instinct save. Highlight of the entire game for me.
“Speaking of patience, a new coach will be in place soon.”
No kidding.
Ms. Conduct dropping science like Galileo dropped the orange.
“Nick was waiting and waiting, and Crosby didn’t come over to shake his hand. That’s ridiculous, especially as their captain, and make sure you write that I said that!” -Kris with a “K” Draper
I think those spiffy turtlenecks are cutting off circulation to his brain.
I was sitting in a bar watching it with non-hockey people when the dive happened (maybe it’s going to be one of those legendary sports icons–The Dive). I was yelling at the TV about how amazing that was and my friends pretty much were all “huh, what?”
Still, great night by Fleury and his instincts saved them from overtime.
I don’t quite get why there is all the Hossa hate. Besides Kevin, who is warranted, I am surprised.
From the last thread: I was fairly shocked at the hatred too. Maybe it wasn’t there until the finals, when suddenly the team he declined was playing against him?
Re: Fletcher getting a ring, etc. I think the belief is that, as assistant GM, his job was done building the team by the time they won, so he deserves to get his name on there and a ring even if he took a job elsewhere.
Re: The handshake thing. Read my post on Nick’s blog for my take on it, but basically it’s only Draper whining, and Draper once refused to shake someone’s hand in the line after a series, plus he had a teammate just two years ago skate off the ice entirely before shaking hands, so it’s funny that Draper’s the one crying about it.
Now Zetter is whining about it. Man, what a team of crybabies Detroit is. I think it’s just monumentally dooshy to still be talking to the media about this.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/48084642.html
You lost. You’re cranky. We. Get. It.
The comment at the end by Lids is proof that he’s one of the NHL’s class acts.
Niveous, sorry you weren’t surrounded by hockey people for that moment. We watched it over and over. It should be a legendary sports moment. MAF should get a big-toothed statue for that save. That’s the stuff you work your whole career to do at just the right moment. It still chokes me up a little.
What else is there right now in Detroit to whine about?
Tigers — no relief pitching
Pistons — second-round and out (again)
Lions — not even a sniff of playoffs since 1992
The City of Detroit — World’s largest economic ‘dead zone’
Wings need to go home and think it over, they had it…and they blew it.
Exactly, WRT: I think they’re just mad they blew two chances to win the Cup, including Game 7 on home ice.
You know you’re wrong if you have people supporting Crosby. 
It was unfortunate that Sid missed Lidstrom, but come on: this guy’s 21, just won a road Game 7 to win his first Stanley Cup. Emotions were going to run pretty high. I doubt the main thing Crosby was thinking was, “I have to make sure I don’t shake Lidstrom’s hand.”
Like I blogged yesterday and as Lidstrom apparently said, I’m sure Crosby will learn from this if he happens to win another Cup.
I do agree with Sid’s comment that shaking hands as the winner is easy. Why would he not want to?
I agree that this is losers whining. Or at elast draper.
Sorry about the dyslexic fingers–”least”
“In some ways, familiarity is good and change, you’re a little nervous about it. But I think in this case, this is going to be good.”
– Andrew Brunette
Could this actually be a Wild player in the act of Raising Expectations™?
DR wouldn’t stand for that!
I don’t think we can Raise expectations, at least not yet. Chuck has work to do. Work that will probably take a couple years.
So for me, I have no expectations for the coming season.
Michael - thanks for the great article on Bruno as well as the fresh post.
kj: how was the gig?
Have to agree with LWF. Don’t know about everyone else but I expect next year to see a team on and off the ice that’s getting used to a new system. I expect to see Chuck make moves over the next couple of seasons to shape this roster to his liking. I would guess that we compete and put forth an honest effort but we will probably miss the playoff the next couple of seasons. JMO
Foodz!
Russo you liked game 7? I thought it was dull, too much clutching and grabbing for my tastes.
The NHL did a great job giving players more ice to skate. Then the refs swallow the whistle for game 7 and I get to see Pittsburgh do the rope a dope for the entire third period.
Nothing against Pittsburgh, I just wanted to see a better skating game.
