Sources: Richards to be named Wild coach; Lynn fired
Posted on June 15th, 2009 – 3:10 PMBy Michael Russo
According to multiple NHL sources, San Jose Sharks assistant coach Todd Richards will become the second Wild coach in history. A news conference to “introduce the Wild’s new head coach” will be made by new GM Chuck Fletcher on Tuesday at noon at Gate 1 of Xcel Energy Center.
Sources say Richards will succeed Jacques Lemaire, who resigned after the 2008-09 season.
Richards, 42, a native of Crystal, Minn., and a former Gophers defenseman and captain, spent last season in San Jose as Todd McLellan’s assistant. This came after two seasons as the head coach with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He brought the Baby Pens to the Calder Cup Finals in his final season. That’s where he was hired by and became tight with then-Penguins assistant GM and Wilkes-Barre GM Chuck Fletcher.
Richards spent four seasons as an assistant in Milwaukee. The Admirals won one Calder Cup and went to the Finals another year during his tenure.
He won two WCHA titles with the Gophers as a player, a 1991 Calder Cup with Springfield, a 2001 Turner Cup with Orlando (IHL) and a 2002 Swiss-B League title with Servette Geneve. He was the IHL Defenseman of the Year in 1993-94 while playing in Las Vegas and used to be the U’s assists-record holder. His brother, Travis, also used to be a Gophers captain.
Todd’s got a track record of winning everywhere he’s been as a player and coach.
Over the past month, I’ve talked to scores of people who know and coached with Richards. He is an aggressive, up-tempo coach that fits the style Fletcher wants to play. As one NHL assistant coach who worked with Richards just told me, he’s going to coach the way he played. He won’t be a sit-back and watch coach, the person said. He’s going to activate his defense and go-go-go.
There may be some concern out there that Richards has only been in the NHL for a year as a coach, but remember, you need to start somewhere and there are tons of successful coaches in the NHL that had limited experience in the big league before they got here — guys like Mike Babcock, Bruce Boudreau and most recently Dan Bylsma.
Here is Richards’ bio on the San Jose Sharks’ web site.
Also, assistant GM Tom Lynn has been fired. I felt this was coming, especially after talking with GM Chuck Fletcher a few weeks ago and he made it a point to make clear to me he never ever told Lynn or Tommy Thompson they were staying.
More on this later, including whom I think has a good chance of replacing Lynn.
“We thank Tom Lynn for all his service and contributions to the Wild organization and wish Tom and his family future success,” said Fletcher in a statement.
108 Responses to "Sources: Richards to be named Wild coach; Lynn fired"
Woot!
And the countdown to next year begins…
Good that the search is (apparently) over! The new coach needs to be brought ‘up to speed’, as the draft is only 11 days away!
GM, check
Coach, check
Onto the draft and free agency!
Great news!!! Two excellent hires by the Wild bodes well for the future. Now we wait and give these guys the time they’ll need…
Go Get it done Richards!!!!! We need a deep playoff run and a new brand of hockey within 3 years!
It Says Richards is from Crystal, where did he play High School? I’m assuming Armstrong or Cooper? Anyone know?
*giddy!*
Let’s get moving!
Now I really am excited for next season.
I am looking forward to the future of the team. Glad we didn’t end up with Crawford or MacT.
He is an armstrong grad. I spoke with a youth coach of his over the weekend. It seems that everyone that has interacted with him really likes him and that he is a great guy. I for one think its a great hire and am looking forward to the new leadership!
Things should get interesting really soon. I wonder if this will intrigue Gaby enough to get him to resign… even if it’s only for a year.
He played at Armstrong.
A coach with not only Minnesota ties, but a former Gopher… All the fans who have been claiming that the Wild would be Cup winners if only we had some Minnesota blood on the team finally get to see if they’re right.
Or, we could find out that’s all a load of poo, and that what the players can do matters a little more than where mom popped them out. JMHO: Scandia, Scandanavia - whatever. Get some hockey players.
Great hire(s) by the Wild. Results probably won’t show in the standings immediately, but the future’s looking good.
No more french Canucks as draft picks every single year!!! Thank God.
The best part of this is how much more attractive this hire and the new GM make the Wild. We’ve always had the fan base, now we’ve got the kind of game NHLers want to play!
Russo, if you haven’t heard of any of the bands I found some more music for you to download.
Flake or Flakemusic(The Shins under their first moniker.) good stuff.
Frightend Rabbit a combo of Counting Crows, Snow Patrol and a bouncy Franz.
Neko Case (Argueably the best female singer/songwriter of our generaton.
Hopefully we can still benefit from the plethora of talent that comes out of French Canadia.
All eyes turn to Montreal - fully staffed and ready to go!
Oh, and welcome home Todd!
Why am I such a tool?
Why am I such a tool?
The Strib art department (if they still exist) better start revamping the banner on the wild section.
Jacques and Gabby is gone…and from the sounds of it Boogard and Harding might be too.
New commercial theme for the Wild:
“I’m looking California, and feeling Minnesota”
GOOD CALL
I have not idea if this coaching hire will work out, but I always believe in giving people their chance if they have earned it…and he has earned it. I hope Richards will consider doing some “above and beyond” appearances to help reignite the Armstrong Cooper Youth Hockey Association. They are down in numbers and the New Hope Ice Arena is an issue from the city perspective. Good hire and hopefully both the Wild and Richards roots will benefit from his arrival!!
TSN is also saying that Tom Lynn has “been let go”.
“Sources have also told TSN that Wild assistant general manager Tom Lynn has been let go.” — http://www.tsn.ca
Oops…Brian beat me to it. Need to refresh before posting. Sry
TSN is reporting that assistant GM Tom Lynn has been let go as well.
InTheNet: Let’s let TR (yes, I did it first on this thread) fix the Wild, then after he’s got that down, then he can save hockey in Crystal & New Hope…
TL ‘let go’? Now, there’s a cause for celebration!
Oh hot d*mn things are starting to pop.
And I agree, Neko Case is solid.
Things are really moving now. Hope it keeps up!
I wonder who Fletcher has in mind as a new right hand man? Hope Tommy Thompson and Chris Snow help you clean out your desk TooL cause they’ll be next! Oh and hopefully the previous medical staff as well. Who did we employ Dr. Nick from the Simpson?
he better sign Gabby or send him to the Sharks where i can watch him play.
BRAVO!!!!!!!!
WRT: Let’s let people be excited about the hring in many ways, not just how you want to define it and police the blog! But hey, you must be proud to have coined the “TL” line…
My best memory of Todd Richards is of a hit he put on Marty Nanne his senior year of HS at Armstrong. I’m pretty sure it was the sectional semi-finals, 1984- or 1985 at the old Met Center. Marty Nanne came thru the neutral zone, head down… Richards came in for a hip check that sent Nanne head over heals in a flip! The entire Met Center cheered! If that kind of play is what the Wild becomes, I am pumped!
Just give him a chance to get his feet wet, ITN, he’ll get to the New Hope/Crystal stuff soon enough.
Patience, InTheNet, is a virtue.
Remember that the pens were largely in place when Fletch came to town. Here’s who was already on the team:
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Sergei Gonchar, Kris Letang, Brooks Orpik, Maxime Talbot, Rob Scuderi, Tyler Kennedy
Plus Shero (Fletch) also had the #2 overall pick their first year. Basically they just needed to keep it intact and let their players mature. NOt exactly the same situation with the MN Mild
Alright guys, 5 years until we are the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bad for a few while we learn the new system and draft great players with the higher picks and it all adds up. Give it time guys.
Nice.
Last year’s ‘dump the dumppster’ rants seem like eons ago…
I’ll say this…it is an exciting time to be a Wild fan once again.
Thanks Craig.
from the last blog entry…
M 03…the gig pales in comparison to the news here! It was good…we got to perform one more time before Minnesota Music Cafe on June 26th.
wow…….that’s a lot to take in!
ch ch ch ch changes!
List of prioritys for this off season:
1: the draft
2: free agency
3: fill out the front office
4: hire a good medical staff
5: can the crappy announcers, and bring in some fresh, up and comers.
6: give Koivu the C
7: let’s play some hockey!!!!!!!!
Go Wild!!!!!
If we are on music recomendations I have to throw out a chunk….
on the heavier side:
Mastodon (plugged them before, but they deserve more attention!)
Isis
Protest the Hero (the newer CD….they are canadian, so you know they are good!)
on the calmer side:
Recieving end of Sirens
Silversun Pickups
“In fine mist, opened his hand in center, holding my eyes to the future”
Quintessence-Mastodon
Disappointed but not surprised by Lynn. I liked him.
So, now the trickle down to the farm begins, which is what is going to have me on pins and needles for a while…
I wonder if that means they are going to try and resignn Gabby? I read recently that Gabby hates Lynn.
Sounds like a great coach. The system implemented has a lot to do with it but the Wild need to be more aggressive in the free agency market and get some much needed offensive talent. Because if you do not have talent any system you implement will ultimately result in a losing season.
I just hope Bob Mason doesn’t get the axe.
The new coach needs to be brought ‘up to speed’, as the draft is only 11 days away!
honestly, what influence does the coach have on the draft?
What a great day to be a Wild fan. Hopefully he will keep Ramsey on, assuming that he wants to stay of course.
I can’t wait for the draft and free agency.
G*, you are right. Coach is not critical for draft but critical once free agency starts. But still nice to get it done.
Michael - you rock. Thanks.
So maaaaybe a special edition of Russo Radio after the formal head coach announcement?
[…] following can be attributed to Michael Russo…a beat writer for the Wild in the […]
russo beat espn……ha…take that society!!!!!!
New coach time to celebrate….(pulls out pear juice)…..cheers!
“A news conference to “introduce the Wild’s new head coach” will be made by new GM Chuck Fletcher on Tuesday at noon at Game 1 of Xcel Energy Center.”
um……I know your excited for hockey mike……but…..isn’t tuesday a bit soon for the pre-season to start?
what fletcher and richards need to do in this draft is to stay away from the french canadien boys and stick with the real canadiens from the OHL
What a fantastic last few weeks it’s been for Wild fans! And to hear that not only is Todd Richards going to be head coach (one of us), but that Tom Lynn was fired is double fu**ing fantastic!!
What they really need to do in this draft is get Schroeder. I’m not a Minnesota’s very own type guy often, but this kid has got elite skills, man. I’d love to see him centering a line of fly boys in a couple years.
argon… my guess is Michael is so giddy with posting fresh stuff, that gate and game are interchangeable.
Michael - you are the best. Thanks.
DR gone, now Lynn gone. Will Fletcher complete the trifecta and can Tommy Thompson? One can only hope.
A rumor for everyone: It seems Saku Koivu as told the Canadians he isn’t interested in re-signing because he wants to play with his kid brother in Minny. That would be a nice third line center, after Mikko and Thornton.
So my TooL voodoo doll worked, kick a$$. Who should I go after next? Mwahahahahahaha…..
Welcome home TR…. umm … being a history nerd, I feel weird calling him TR. TR is Teddy Roosevelt. I’ll have to think of something else to call him.
Well, back to cleaning so my parents don’t figure out how big of slobs the Mr and I really are when their in town this coming weekend.
Todd Richards going to be head coach (one of us)
Seriously… wtf is wrong with you people. That has no bearing on anything related to winning!!! Ugh!!!
Well, back to cleaning so my parents don’t figure out how big of slobs the Mr and I really are when their in town this coming weekend.
That’s funny… the Wife and I have to do the same thing sometime this week.
It just adds a little excitement to see a favorite son come home. Let us have that for a minute.
I agree, it has no bearing on winning, but its kind of cool to have a head coach from MN.
Fair enough. I just hate that you said “one of us”… it sound so elitest and dooshy.
ATX…provincial.
I like the fact that Fletcher has had a working relationship with Richards. That alone means they are on the same page…
All right! Let’s hear the new “Five Year Plan”… 
(Too soon?)
kj said:
“I like the fact that Fletcher has had a working relationship with Richards. That alone means they are on the same page…”
Which, G* and woody, is the reason it is so important to get Richards in here, and get him up to speed, so Richards can make recommendations for the draft next week. Also, with free agency beginning less than a week after the draft, it becomes even more imperative that the head coach tell his boss what he needs in order to succeed.
And isn’t success what it’s all about? W’s?
I’m willing to admit ms.c was in closer contact with TL than I was, so she’d know better whether or not he was an arrogant doosh.
But, if he isn’t, he SURE came across as one to me.
If his big strength was negotiating contracts and that’s Fletch’s bailiwick then he was probably vestigial anyway.
did KiPA go to the parade?
16 teams in the playoffs. One parade.
Nice upbeat hopeful buzz to the blog comments.
Arrogant, Balliwick and Vestigial.
Sounds like the makings of a fine law firm to me.
16 teams in the playoffs. One parade.
Pssssssst.
Alan.
Check Pittsburgh for that parade route.
Nick, I think it depends on who you are and what you wanted from him as to what Lynn you got. I never could reconcile the Lynn I got personally with the slimy, cut-throat Lynn I read about.
Ok Richards is coach, but whom is backing him up as assistants will tell some of the story. I am not completely comfortable with Richards mainly becasue of his experience and age
I agree road tripper its important the GM and Coach are on the same page and that should bring some comfort to fans knowing that
It would give Mister Know it all insight into the brain of Fletcher if I knew why he let Lynn go. One could assume that Fletcher determined the two of them did not mix with how things should be done. One could assume Mike Ramsey may not be an assistant of Richards after viewing the Lynn firing
How should Tommy Thompson feel right about now, if Fletcher never said he would be staying ??
I will say this is risky what Leopold has done. I am more concerned for the Wild right now then I am comfortable. I will stay tuned
Misconduct- Lynn seemed pompas, deres n doubt
The Wild are not going to be short on news, and this Blog will look to not have any down time from now until opening day from the way this looks like it is going to go
It would give Mister Know it all insight into the brain of Fletcher if I knew why he let Lynn go.
I’d go with the lithium first…
The best thing that can happen for the WIld next season is for them to SU-CK big time. Get the #1 overall pick, and trade down to pick up extra picks. Unless there is another HEdman/Tavares available.
THe Wild are going to struggle for a year or two, before we see any positive impact, but they can reach a level of success within 5 years.
One more thing: What does it mean Richards has had a track record of winning everywhere he has been. Lou Holtz - Herb Brooks and several other coaches had outstanding track records but that did not make good NHL coaches/ Pro coaches
I repeat, the Wild were not broken. Everybody agrees the Wild would have won 12 more games last year had they been even close to healthy.
DR did cave in last year but that was also the first year that Leopold had full control of the team.
This is risky risky stuff for Leopold. He has a very respected business in the Minnesota Wild and he made a choice to make a big change on the style the team plays, the mission. etc etc
Dampland= What you are saying is what I have been saying does not make any sense. Why finish last this next year and get a top pick when you had a team in the top 1/3 of the league already ??
Damp,
I really think Fletcher is going to be as competitive as possible next year. I don’t think he would go to the trouble of hiring an up and coming coach just to sacrafice him to get the 1st overall pick. Though I had the same thoughts not to long ago! All the moves signal retool not rebuild.
[…] The Minnesota Wild appear ready to finalize the obvious and inevitable, making San Jose Sharks assistant coach Todd Richards the second head coach in franchise history after the resignation of Jacques Lemaire, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. […]
So far we have a new owner, new GM, new coach and a whole lot of a blank sheet.
Only time will tell if any of these guys know anything.
The ball started rolling with a new owner who doesn’t exactly have a hockey background, we’ll see if he has been wise beyond his experience. And Fletcher went to Harvard and had a “father”. And a new coach.
Not saying it won’t work out, it just seems to be a time to be skeptical. Maybe some of you are right to hope for last place. I prefer sucess.
Oh and don’t forget Saku was coming here all along, that was a done deal starting last summer. No credit to the newbies only to having a brother on the team.
Everybody wants a change of style of play right……..
Close your eyes and ask this one question to yourself….
Are the fans most happy leaving the X after a win or a loss ??
Now open your eyes
See you thought that changing the style alone will make you the most happy right ?
We waited 8 years with this orgnization already DAMPLAND. I dont think the Wild have ever even come close to finishing last even in the first 2 seasons
MKia, there are injuries every year and the cupboard is bare. You have to be the GM of the whole organization, not the one who takes the ice at the start of the season.
Very exciting news. Now lets dump D&D, hire Rammer and Mason and get to work.
Mister: The Wild were broken. They were only going downhill, and the hill they were coming down was not from Mt. Stanley Cup. If you think they would have been good without changes, you need help girl. And, even if the Wild weren’t broken, I think we can all agree that DR was.
What’s Saku going to cost, if he does come?
DR made the pantry empty. But the biggest issue was Gaborik. In hind sight it was a bad gamble. But if he had played last year, the team would have finished high up in the standings and gone at least a bit in the playoffs.
And we would have gotten full value at the trade deadline. I can’t blame DR for the injury. It is easy to say he should have been gone last summer (but that would have been a discount), as it turns out we get the Gaborik shaft (and Gaborik probably gets shafted by his agent in the process)
If we had gotten good value for him, we would have at least gotten another #1 plus one or two players - see what Pittsburgh gave up for Hossa.
It is yet to be seen what these new guys can do. Contain your Minnesota enthusiasm
I dont know what getting rid of Lynn would do to Ramsey’s chances, nothing I would hope. I would think Rammer and Richards would have a lot in common. I am thinking he will keep Rammer. I sure hope so!
I agree this is kind of risky, but we were 6 good players short (at least) of making any kind of run in the playoffs.
This is exciting, GO WILD!!!
If you can draft well, you certainly don’t need to tank…..teams that get last deserve it…..they have horrible teams.
this isn’t a horrible team….in fact it is quite solid. Their is a depth concern, but the front line is solid.
even with a lack of depth, the areos played deep into the playoffs (without scott, and clutter)…so the depth isn’t that horrible.
the style change was needed….this team was getting stagnant, and quite frankly, I miss the old fast paced style we would pull out on occasions during the first playoff run, and during the first two seasons after the lockout….
we have always played a traping conservitive style, but the team would fly on counter attacks. the last couple of years, our team was really slow (thank goodness for fritzy…he reminded me of the past….)
DR abandoned his plan after the ducks beat them, and we have struggled since..
and it isn’t like fast paced, offensive teams don’t win the cup (tampa/carolina/pittsburg/Detroit all were attacking type teams….)
the problem was our team was playing defense on defense, and defense on offense….that makes it very difficult to score, couple that with average forwards, and viola, the wild of the last two years…
change is good MKia……it is a good thing…..
plus, more open system, more really good free agents want to come here.
So in conclusion.
mkia needs to drink some smoothies, relax, and enjoy.
change is good
faster more aggressive team can certainly win the cup
Go Wild!!!!!
hockey1-Gaborik made it clear that he did not want to be here. Everyone knew it, it was awkward for quite awhile. DR couldn’t get him signed, he knew that. Discount or not, if you know he doesn’t want to be here and you can’t convince him otherwise, you have to make a move and get something for him.
The Sharks bio says “Richards will be in charge of the power play and work with McLellan on forward lines and matchups.”
Maybe we’ve seen the end of constantly mixed up lines and the forward lines can gel better.
The parade comment (recalled from my brain cells) is from Coach Ramsey. Brilliant.
“even with a lack of depth, the areos played deep into the playoffs (without scott, and clutter)…so the depth isn’t that horrible.”
Love where your head is at but just wanted to point out, Houston made a strong run in the playoff using a similar defense first hockey style. Also their leading scorers were made up of AHL ringers not Wild draft picks. If you are expecting help from Houston next year (talking offense) you are going to be let down.
The problem is that for the last 8 years more or less the Wild have been to consistent for their own good. Not good enough to do much in the playoffs, but too good to get a good draft pick.
Pittsburg, Chicago and Washington all su-cked big time and were rewarded with top picks for 2-3-4 years in a row. THAT is what allowed them to create the teams they have now.
Picking 12-15th every year will not build a dynasty worth remembering, it will just perpetuate a middle of the road team that overachieves slighty.
SO if you really want to see the Wild do something in the playoffs in a few years, then they need some top talent, and with the salary cap, the only way to do it is by drafting top prospects for 2-3 years in a row. Because they certainly don’t have much in Houston.
So like it or not, the best thing for the Wild long term, is to really su-ck in the short term.
Reasons to sign Kovalchuk
#1 He is all offense and no defense look at his plus/minus.
#2 I need a new jersey, possible 3rd jersey this year (If I remember right they put it off last year for our X year anniversary)
#3 No Gabby and tons of cap space.
#4 A place that would take a Butch, Hards, or Boogie in trade.
#5 Perfect start to the draft day party!
First of all, I don’t think hockey in the Crystal/New Hope area will be revived, it’s an inner ring suburb with a very different demographic than 30+ years ago when I lived there, plus there’s not a lot of money in those cities anymore (although I left more than my share at the Sunshine Factory for a decade or 2). I will wish good luck to Mr. Richards on becoming the new head coach, even though he went to that tar shack on the hill called Armstrong.
Denial exists with some on here. Change is good. I will say again, change is good !
Should DR and JL be gone= Yes
That is not what Mister Know it all is saying
Leopold is changing the organization that was the most respected in the league. Only 8 years old so dont compare to Detroit. Existing Mission= Forget it ! Wes Walz as Example = Forget it..
Etc Etc
THIS IS WHAT I AM SAYING IS VERY RISKY
Now let me say this. It will be entertaining and I look forward to seeing this unfold. This is entertainment and it will be all of that.
El Gato - you grew up there? I grew up in New Hope, too. Also, spent my fair share at the Factory (was even there a couple of Saturdays ago). I also spent a ton of time at NH Arena, including as an employee during high school.
So, I was just surfing around and stumbled on the Wild’s page at SI.com. They run a slideshow of photos of Wild players, including such guys like Pavol Demitra, Peterri Nummelin, Keith Carney, Branko Radivojevic…. No lie.
I think CL knows the risk and I think that’s why he brought in a respected hockey mind like Fletcher and CL doing his homework knew that Fletch had a connection with a Minnesota kid for coach (placating the provincial masses, so to speak). I agree it will be entertaining to see what happens.
Damp,
Another option would be to draft well and stop throwing away picks outside of the first round like they mean nothing. Do that and stock your farm system so you have players that other teams want and you have enough of a supply to trade for a big name player.
I just don’t think Fletcher would have waited all this time to find the right team AND left a team as elite as Pittburgh just to be a rebuild GM. They hardly ever survive the rebuild.
Hockeydad
Grew up way on the north end of Crystal, Go Hawks!
1981 I hoped to see an Armstrong-Cooper Section 6 final, but it was Edina West-Edina East. Armstrong lost to Edina West in a heartbreaker in the final seconds when Armstrong’s goalie (maybe Pete Smith) lost the puck in the crease and while backing up to find it kicked it into his own net. Our squad was only down 2-1 after one and we out scored Edina East 3-0 in the 3rd, but it was the 7-0 East advantage in the 2nd period that did in the Hawks! One goal they had a 2 on 1 until our d-man tripped on the blue line and made it a 2-0. I felt bad for our goalie.
BTW, great find on SI. I’m surprised they didn’t still have Cliff Ronning listed on the squad.
“…the organization that was the most respected in the league”
I would like 2 full bags of whatever MKIA is smoking that convinced him of this.
Having arguably the most respected coach in the league behind the bench for so many years does not make an organization the most respected.
Coaches really have no impact at picking the players. They only matter during trades. Most of the time, the coaches are bored and ready to fall asleep at the tables.
Well, Gaborik would not like Lynn since he was the guy they were negotiating with. I think once a coach is announced, Fletcher and Richards would see if they want to make an offer to Gaborik. If they do, I would expect an offer would be made in the next week or so.
El Gato, north end of N.H., myself, near the golf course. I was a little kid back then, but I remember a few years where Cooper and Armstrong almost pulled off the upsets in the Sec. 6 playoffs. You sound about my brother’s age - guessing by your vintage and connection to the Factory, I’m sure you would know him. I always pulled for Cooper - those Cooper-Armstrong games were a blast back then. Great rowdy, but clever, students on both ends of the stands. We were Catholic school kids, so none of us went to Cooper.
TSN posted this around the trade deadline. It looked at what sort of NHLer you could expect to acquire for a given range of picks. After the first round, the percentage of successfully drafting drops off substantially. http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/scott_cullen/?id=267960
Read somewhere that one GM (not DR)said that that a realistic goal for a draft is that your first round pick plays at least 100 NHL games and then one player from the rest of your draft can do the same.
FOOOD!!!
