Pre-Draft chatter; Loiselle interviewing for Wild asst. GM post
Posted on June 26th, 2009 – 1:31 PMBy Michael Russo
Word of the day: Scruples. Yes, scruples. Scruples. I love that word, except when some people don’t have any.
Scruples. Scruples. Scruples.
I hope I just made somebody out there in the media world feel guilty (if you think I’m talking about you, I probably am).
So onward, about 11 minutes ago (it’s 2:11 p.m. my time as I start this blog), GM Chuck Fletcher began a meeting with his staff to go over Draft strategy and undoubtedly trades. During a morning meeting, assistant GM Tommy Thompson finished all pre-draft player interviews and finalized the Wild’s Draft list with the scouts.
What do I hear through the grapevine. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the St. Louis Blues are definitely interested in Josh Harding, but Fletcher wants something substantial for him and if it doesn’t come now, he’s willing to wait until later this summer or next season. However, the tricky thing here is there’s only a certain smattering of teams that are looking for a goalie next season and beyond, and if they don’t get Harding now, they’ll sign a free agent goalie after July 1.
So Harding is definitely in play. But Fletcher would love a top-six forward rather than, say, a second-round pick because at least with the NHLer, you know what you’re getting. A draft pick, as we all know, can amount to something or amount to nothing.
TSN’s Darren Dreger “tweeted” (I’ve learned the lingo) that the Wild is one of a handful of teams still in the Ryane Clowe sweepstakes with San Jose. I haven’t confirmed, but I trust Dreger’s sources and it makes a helluva lot of sense. Clowe is an awesome young player, you can bet former Sharks assistant Todd Richards loves him and he plays the exact type of high-octane, hard-nosed style the Wild wants to play.
It’ll take good assets to get him though, and who knows if the Wild’s got em. And then you’ve got to sign him, which won’t be cheap, which is the reason the Sharks may deal him if they can’t sign him for themselves.
According to impeccable sources, Fletcher interviewed Tampa Bay’s Claude Loiselle this morning for the vacant assistant GM’s post. Loiselle’s contract expires June 30 and has permission to seek other employment. Loiselle is a well-respected guy who used to play, has negotiated contracts and knows the league well, especially because he used to work for the NHL.
However, as I reported a few weeks ago, the second tomorrow’s Draft ends, Ottawa Director of Hockey Ops Brent Flahr has a window to talk to other teams. He’s the likely guy as he and Fletcher are very close from their days working together in Florida and Anaheim.
Nothing new on the assistant coaching situation, although word on the street is Richards and at least Mike Ramsey had a very good initial meeting.
Speaking of assistant GM’s, Tom Lynn is here and actually will be on the media risers with yours truly tonight as a member of the stinkin’ media, haha. I joked with him yesterday that the first time he stands behind the barricade trying to wave down a GM, I’m taking a picture and holding it for ransom.
Lynn’s doing a blog for the Hockey News, and here’s his first posting on the anatomy of Draft deal. Remember, Wild has done many or set up many trades at the Draft.
I talked to agent Don Baizley in the lobby this morning. He and Montreal plan to talk early next week about Saku Koivu, and that’s all Koivu’s thinking about, he said. But if he goes to free agency, you know who’s a coming after him. That’s me saying that, not Baize.
There’s other stuff, but I’ve got to report it out some more. One of them is a bit of a Wild newsmaker, but I’m not comfortable writing it just yet. But … maybe later.
96 Responses to "Pre-Draft chatter; Loiselle interviewing for Wild asst. GM post"
More Russo MORE, we can’t take the suspense!!!
Thanks for keeping us updated, Don Russo!
Scruples. Apparently someone is lacking. Scrupulous is more fun I think with the triple u. How many scrabble points for that?
I think Russo knows a few things he’s not divulging at this point. Which is fine, because I trust he’s got a good reason.
if you think I’m talking about you, I probably am
i thought the sunshine/russo feud was over
Always with cliffhangers…
Oh, and thanks for answering my CDT vs. EDT question. Almost meeting time!
Damn you and your teasers Russo!
Scruples.
Lack thereof.
Ok, what did Ek post now?
From St. Louis, I like Perron, Berglund and Backes as potential trade chips for Harding. I don’t see the Blues moving Boyes, McDonald or Oshie, maybe not even Berglund.
Michael - awesome stuff. Dang, have to wait… Thanks for your journalistic integrity.
Good story on Carter Ashton. I would not be mad if the Wild picked up this kid. Sounds like a solid pick.
Good story on Carter Ashton
Not to be confused with Anson Carter, I presume.
Berglund is pretty impressive. Getting him away from St. Louis for a package including Harding would be a coup.
Davidson needs a goaltender of the present and future…if he is sold that Harding can be that, there is a small window of a chance.
Perron is definately a notch below Oshie and Berglund.
Perron is definately a notch below Oshie and Berglund
Agreed. I’d rank him last among those names I mentioned. He might make the most sense for the Blues to trade, but since he might be developing into more of a playmaker than a scorer (15 goals, 35 assists last year) it doesn’t make much sense for the Wild.
One of them is a bit of a Wild newsmaker, but I’m not comfortable writing it just yet
are we getting ice girls? I was against this idea early on but if we can get a crew like the canes have, i’m all in.
Russo, The Wild couldn’t get Oshie or Berglund for Harding could they?
if we can get a crew like the canes have, i’m all in.
Dude, one of my favorite parts of having Center Ice is watching Canes home games, because they always show those girls after a Carolina goal. Just spectacular viewing.
The hockey isn’t all that bad either.
Just spectacular viewing.
+1
I think Backes is pretty much untouchable
Are the wild going to get the 2010 draft for the Xcel Center?
Ek posted a question about whether Van is floating the Gaby and J Bo rumors to paint the Sedin’s into a corner. Maybe Russo’s thought originally?
It would be great if we could trade for Oshie. But it’s not happening… not for a reasonable amount anyway. The fans love this kid:
Josh definitely warrants a top-six forward; he’s a young, cheap starter that can lead them to the playoffs. You certainly won’t find that on the FA market.
Perron is the guy you want. I’d take him over Backes and Berglund, because he’s young, productive, and fits under the cap nicely for a few years. Plus, he’s a wing, which the Wild needs more than centers right now, as I have little doubt Saku ends up here.
Otto, that story is absurd!! What a bunch of tight ass dickwads.
“They may have thought the photo was cute, but it was very serious.”
Who gives a crap if you want to show people a picture of your completed ballot?? That makes no sense to me.
Boyes has one of those back loaded contracts. Backes is $2.5 million. Berglund and Oshie are the most affordable and closest to Harding’s last contract.
Oh, I don’t see why Alex Steen wouldn’t be tossed in there somehow.
This just in..Michael Jackson’s doctor hired as the new team physician.
Lala, if what KiPA says about him becoming a playmaker is true, I’d rather we go after someone other than Perron. We need finishers!
This just in..Michael Jackson’s doctor hired as the new team physician.
I’d rather have Jeff Goldblum’s doctor.
Perron is the guy you want. I’d take him over Backes and Berglund, because he’s young, productive, and fits under the cap nicely for a few years
I disagree. I think if I actually had a choice between Perron and Berglund, I would take Berglund every time. I would prefer Backes as well.
I have to point out, Goody, that I based that mainly off his stats last season. I saw the Blues a few times and didn’t necessarily think of Perron as a finisher. I put Boyes, Tkachuk, Backes and McDonald ahead of him in that category. So I could be wrong.
That’s fine with me KiPA. Maybe he’s a playmaker, maybe not, maybe it depends on who he’s playing with.
Is anyone else highly annoyed with the expanding Sears ad at the top today?
Goody, expanding ads in general make me want to stab web designers. I hates them!
Russo said in his live chat that the Wild was high on Simon Desprse, I really hope Thompson and Fletcher do a lot of homework given our past problems at the draft table. That Despres’ stock has been falling like a rock all year.
expanding ads in general make me want to stab web designers
They’re still not as bad as autoplay videos, particularly ones that disable the stop/mute functions.
I dunno kevin.. the expanding ad makes it where I try to click on something but it expands into the area that I was trying to click and then I get their stupid pop up… at least I can navigate away from the video ones. The worst may be those ones that magically appear in the middle of the screen, or they fly in from the side.
ATX - I agree, that story is crazy. The government has NO sense of humor, despite being a bunch of clowns….
“That Despres’ stock has been falling like a rock all year.”
Then the draft announcers will say the Wild stole one. 
Valid point, Austin, but my reaction time is better than yours I guess. 
Or I’m just slower. I see the ad expand before I click on it, and while it’s a minor annoyance, I just move my cursor, ad goes away, and I click the link I want. Those autoplay videos usually trigger while I’m trying to actually read an article which makes it really annoying. I end up skimming the article as fast as I can so I can navigate it away, or I have to hit the mute button on my computer.
So, if the Wild trade Harding, who is Backstrom’s backup?
“Then the draft announcers will say the Wild stole one.”
Just like we stole one in 2004 
Holy monkeys…Boston reportedly offered Kessel AND a draft pick to Toronto for Kaberle. Not sure why the Leafs are holding off on pulling that trigger. If nothing else it puts the Bruins in a worse salary cap bind.
*Shakes fist*
RUUUUSSSSSOOOOO!!!!
Poor Florida, haven’t they suffered enough?
From Kevin Allen’s (USA Today) Twitter (take it for what’s it worth): “Saw Doug Risebrough and he has the look of a man who will get the vacant GM job in Florida.”
Twitter feed claiming to be Tavares says Garth Snow told him he won’t take Tavares with the first pick.
Come on Mike! Nobody likes a tease!!!
Indeed Kevin. I would pounce on that in a second if I were the Leafs.
Lol, Lucky. Although according to the draft phases guide, Thielen would have been “a bit of a project.” The guide is found here.
I saw Thelen mentioned somewhere on TSN as one of the worst all-time picks for his draft position.
But…you all probably knew that already.
Lake, thanks for that link! I like this one:
5. “Has been compared to [insert current NHLer]”
For example, if you’re a tall defenceman: Chris Pronger. But for some reason, never Hal Gill.
For his position? How bout one of the worst regardless of position?
8. “Monster”
Any kid who Pierre McGuire has seen make a good play.
LOL… Nice.
Austin, not as good as 12. “A sick talent”
And should TSN wish to awkwardly relate any further to younger viewers, he’s “got mad skillz, yo.”
Also, Hal Gill…hehe. I call him Fleetfoot.
Chris: The article ranked draft picks by their slot, so he was compared to only other people who were drafted fourth, or whenever it was.
From Russo’s Twitter: Kessel to Wild not very likely at this point.
i think he was taken 12th. Benny was our illustrious #4 pick.
I saw Thelen mentioned somewhere on TSN as one of the worst all-time picks for his draft position.
Sheesh…a guy’s team wins the Stanley Cup and then…
Seriously KiPA…that HAS to be the worst pick in MN sports history. Oops, I forgot about Ndudi Ebi. Oh yeah, there was Demitrius Underwood too. And the year the Vikings didn’t get the pick in on time.
I am surprised we get any picks right… 
Kevin, there are a bunch of gems in that article. It’s freaking funny!
I really like #24 too.
You are correct, sir. Here’s the link if anyone wants to read it:
That Kaberle - Kessel deal is interesting. That would give Boston their 6th D signed for next year, but Kaberle’s salary is about what they’re gonna have to give to Kessel… So unless they move him elsewhere later, I don’t see it making any sense.
Sheesh…a guy’s team wins the Stanley Cup and then…
I know you’re teasing (well I hope anyway), but c’mon, I could be way worse.
Once again, props to you for the prediction.
Maybe Kaberle to Boston is a temporary stop. Perhaps Boston will trade him to another team…say…oh…the Wild?
MuN: Exactly. And Boston’s throwing in a draft pick too! Reportedly. I don’t even care when the pick is, the fact is, 21-year-old, 36-goal scorer Kessel and another future player for 31-year-old defenseman Kaberle who’ll make about as much or slightly less than Kessel when they already have offensive defensemen in Chara and Wideman.
I happen to think a Harding/Zidlicky deal for Kaberle is not unreasonable, but this other Kaberle rumor blows my mind. Boston would have to have something else lined up but what?
Or course I was.
I didn’t put a ghey smiley next to it because I am trying to cut back.
I started the 12 step program…Ghey Smileys Anonymous.
Ha. And I was just making sure.
Boston’s supposedly looking at Pronger, and that makes even less sense to me than the Kessel-Kaberle.
Seriously, my head’s about to explode.
Kevin, Hards+Zid for Kab might not make sense either. They have 7 D now, lose Kab, and they can call up a guy to fill the last spot for cheap.
I guess if I were Burke, I wouldn’t do that. I’d want help up front.
KJ, Kab to Boston would have to be a stop, as a piece on another deal. Haven’t heard about anything else though.
MuN: My reasoning for Toronto is they get a defenseman to provide some of the production they’d lose in Kaberle while getting a potential starting goalie.
We would have to sign a UFA goalie or aquire one another way to back up Backstrom as none of the Houston boys(except maybe UFA Schaeffer) are ready to be called up (per ms. c) if we trade Harding.
I really don’t think we need Kaberle in a Wild jersey… I would rather deal Hards for a forward. I like the idea of getting a deal done with STL.
I think there are plenty of good back-up goalies to be had.
when tsn had that Kessel- Kaberle swap story up this morning it was Boston offering Kessel to Toronto for Kaberle and the 7th overall pick.
Now… it’s Kessel and and a non 1st rounder to Toronto for Kaberle.
Sounds fishy.
Backes reminds of a younger, hungrier, much more sane Big Bert. Wild coud really use that with the FSM possibly at center (his natural position) and whomever on the other side…
Personally, I’d like Harding to get O’Sullivan or Lupul. If Lupul, then add a 3rd rounder.
Otherwise, I am hoping for OEL/Glennie/Moore tonight! That, or trade down, grab Leddy and CO Roussel!
Thelen was a direct result of the Wild trying to please the people who want Minnesotans on the team. Consider him your warning folks…
I don’t know if Thelen was a result of them trying to please us…he was slotted to go right where he did, had a great freshman season, was big and could skate….that is why the draft is a crapshoot…
I forgot to mention that I am not even hoping for a MN player at #12…as I stated before, I’d rather have those 3 and Louis Leblanc before Schroeder.
Buddha,
Obviously we can only speculate but it seems like it tipped the scales since he was a local boy. Also seemed like a case of drafting for need over best player available.
Ben,
We wouldn’t want Lupul’s contract. He’s not a bad player but a 20 goal scorer at $4Mil for the next four seasons… I don’t think Philly will be able to move him.
Lupul’s a guy Philly wants to move because of his contract.
Buddha: For your Thelen reminder… +1
That rumor is backwards fellas, its Kaberle and 7th overall for Kessel and there is no way Burke will trade that pick because he needs it to move up in the draft to acquire Tavares like he wants.
TSN saying Niedermayer intends to play next season, Pronger could be out the door and headed to Boston, as TSN also says the Kaberle deal seems off.
If it was the other way around just for Kaberle he would have already pulled the trigger.
Anyone else getting a bit curious why no trades yet today? Is there an unwritten embargo until the draft starts that no one knows about (except those in Montreal…hint, hint)?
My pick for tonight has to be Scott Glennie
My dark horse is Carter Ashton (not at 12, drop down) - though it doesn’t even sound like he’s on our list. Something about that kid has intrigued me the past couple of months, I’m definitely going to keep an eye on him to see where his career goes.
I think you’re wrong, Chris. The Boston Globe quoted a source saying the seventh pick was never available.
Latest Russo Tweet for those who want it.
Russostrib: Scuttlebutt is Duchene goes 1 to Isles, meaning Hedman goes 2 to Tampa and the Colorado Avalanche - rivals Avs - luck into Tavares at 3 #nhl
The seventh pick is only available as a bargaining chip to move up for Tavares. Period.
I don’t buy that scuttlebutt
Something about that kid has intrigued me the past couple of months, I’m definitely going to keep an eye on him to see where his career goes
+1 Lucky
As for Russo’s Twat.. I mean Tweet… I hope Tavares is a bust if he goes to the Avs.
Austin: Someone on Twitter claiming to be The_JohnTavares earlier had twitted (or whatever) that he was told he wouldn’t be the first pick. Who knows if it’s actually him though. The guy was congratulating “Matty D” though on being picked.
Is “Scuttlebutt” just a rumor? I am not up on Russo’s fancy jargon.
Bob Mckenzie is reporting that Boston thought they were getting the seventh pick but Toronto said, “Uh, no, you’re not” and so the deal is likely dead.
Scuttlebutt is rumor/talk/not-fact.
Food!
It seems everyone is going with Duchene out of nowhere now on hunches even TSN Darren Dreger. He also says the kaberle deal is off and scott niedermeyer is coming back for at least one more year. Don’t know if there is truth to any of this.
Bryan Murray must not be happy with the frolov deal. I would have taken that deal easily. So maybe we might still have a chance. He said his asking price wasn’t outrageous like everyone thinks. Who knows if that deal was even offered. This whole draft day has been B*llsh!t so far
