Chuck Fletcher: “Negotiations ongoing with Saku”
Posted on July 2nd, 2009 – 4:46 PMBy Michael Russo
Just got off a conference call with Wild GM Chuck Fletcher, and shockingly, Fletcher openly admitted that he’s having ongoing negotiations with free agent Saku Koivu and talked extensively about Koivu.
Of course, we all know that the Wild is entrenched in trying to land Koivu. But take it from somebody who’s known Fletcher for 14 years: It’s amazing Fletcher would be so up front about that.
I’ll transcribe and throw some more highlights up in a sec, but some real quick ones:
– Almost immediately after 11, agent Allan Walsh called the Wild and informed the team Havlat wanted to sign here. Greg Zanon also called the Wild, and that meant a lot to Fletcher because there’s no doubt in Fletcher’s mind they could have gotten better deals elsewhere.
– Fletcher admitted he felt pressure last night to get Havlat done and it would have been riskier not signing him than signing him to the six-year deal.
– Fletcher admitted he’s working on other things and would like to get one more defenseman and one more scoring forward.
– If Koivu doesn’t sign, he will likely go into camp with the current centermen because the rest of the free-agent centers aren’t attractive as No. 2 guys.
I’ll throw quotes up soon. There could be news tonight. Also, I’ll be on KSTP at 6:05 p.m.
129 Responses to "Chuck Fletcher: “Negotiations ongoing with Saku”"
First! And sign him!
It’s a good sign of things to come that FAs actually wanted to come here. SAKU, JUST SIGN ALREADY!
Great stuff Russo!! Thanks for your updates!
Good to hear it is still in the hopper.
You mean Fletch just called Koivu YESTERDAY to ask about his brother. Has he been golfing the past month. Fletch sure waits to the last minute. That might have been one of the first few calls I made. Not impressed at all with Fletcher thus far. Remember what happened to Risebrough and his procrastination.
Since you can’t have direct or indirect contact with the player, might it have been considered tampering to speak with Mikko about Saku coming here prior to market open?
Give Saku the term. He wants a little security, he sure isn’t going to get it in Anaheim.
Sign Saku and Feditenko and let Big John Scott grow into his position. All the other top D-men want way too much money.
Hockeydad: Who is the proud owner of that ignorant quote? Ridiculous.
Thanks for the update! Lousy waiting. :\
for4rest - Rantzy from the end of the previous thread.
Thanks. I didn’t want to sift through the crap on the last post to find it.
tjericks,
i’m not debating that this isn’t a big decision for saku..what i don’t see is that it’s life-changing. if in fact saku just started to think this through yesterday, then he’s a moron. if i saw the writing on the wall weeks ago, i would ask my wife, honey, where should we go? mn? chicago? toronto? detroit? and i would have started my due-diligence WEEKS ago. my frustration is that we were led to belive last night that there would be a decision this morning….now we’re told maybe by the end of the week…what will the story be tomorrow? maybe by the end of next week? This is about playing hockey for a few years - he’s probably not going to end up living in the US or Cananda after this career is over anyway - most of these guys retire back to their native countries. is it a big decision for him? yeah… can we wait 1-2 more days? yeah….but after that, move on if he can’t make up his mind.
I’d rather give Stoner a shot over Scott…
Rantzy - what more could you possibly hope for at this point? A miracle? You do realize there are 29 other teams in this league, right?
I guess that means if the can land Koivu they’re done up front for now. Agreed the D-men left seem to want a lot, but are we looking for a puck mover, or a stay at home guy?
Havlat is okay, but hardly a big gun. Right now the Wild have no 1st liner forwards with perhaps the exception of Mikko.
Doesn’t mean that Havlat is as good as Gaby when healthy, but wasn’t Havlat a pt/game 1st liner for a team that just went to the conference finals?
we have the puck moving D-men, I believe we’re goin after the defensive types
It depends on what the terms are. We need to have a back up goalie and another defensemen.
Let’s not break the bank on him either.
Joe, don’t waste your breath on him. Some think a GM can just go out and make anything they want happen. They don’t realize this isn’t NHL09 on their XBOX.
I would think we’re after a puck mover to pair up with either schultz or Zanon.
MuN - I know, just couldn’t hold back . . . my bad.
i’ve rarely posted….does anyone else use whistler already?
Whistler, I agree on a stay at home guy, but I’m not sure we’ve seen any indication that’s the route Fletch is going.
AZWild: Some people put more thought into decisions than others. He has time. The Wild aren’t going anywhere and their interest isn’t waning. This is the guy we want. He wants to take time, we will give him time. Impatience isn’t a good thing during free agency. It would be unwise to force a player into a corner. Fletcher is apparently of the opinion that the remaining free agents are second tier guys who aren’t going anywhere either. If those type of players, or their agents, have any brains, they will wait for Koivu to sign because if he doesn’t, they have one more option. Calm down.
Haven’t heard much on Mikael Samuelson, is he still on the open market. why dont we get him and Saku and then get a D-men like Seidenberg, he isn’t too expensinve and with him polaying on the Hurricane’s last season, he has playoff experience.
To those people saying Koivu should have a deadline “or else”: It’s probably not a good idea to try to force someone to meet your wishes. Especially if he’s got so many other interested teams.
good points 4est. There’s also trades that can be made with cap heavy teams
How refreshing it is to hear that your highest paid player actually wants to be in Minnesota.
I found it interesting that CF emphasized two points.
1) That, after Chicago dissed Havlat and went after Hossa, Minnesota was high, if not highest on his list.
2)CF REPEATEDLY has stated that Havlat is an excellent two-way forward, who is responsible at both ends of the ice.
In my view, a CRITICALLY important playoff component that the outgoing superstar was still trying to master.
I agree on all points Mark, and for 1.5 million a year less. The 1.5 is more significant than many people think in this salary cap era.
—To those people saying Koivu should have a deadline “or else”:—
Sounds like graduates of the Smug Risebrough School of Successful Free Agent Negotiating.
and i’m already wrong…..its 2.5 mill less isn’t it?
Yep, i think most people agree wit Mark. Whistler: i usually just lurk here as well, but the name Whistler isn’t familiar to me so go ahead and use it.
I would assume we are after a more Stay at Home type.
We have Burns, Johnsson and Zidlicky. Zanon was paired with Zidlicky when he first came up. I would assume Schultz will be with Burnzie or Johnsson.
While Beauchemin has a good shot, is mobile and can play physical, he will cost too much.
Like I said earlier, I would be fine with Stoner being the 6th d-man.
Morris/Leopold/Seidenberg wouldn’t fit what we already have, imo.
What attracted Havlat to the Wild? Cap space? Opportunity to be the marquee player? Shamrock’s Cheeseburgers?
ACLU: You practice law?
Nope, still a student. I’m simply a member and supporter ATM.
Russo, anything to the possibility of Wild trying to get Matt Cullen?
I hope we’re in the market for a defensive minded defenseman. We have enough puck movers and D who can run the point, if that’s how the new guys want to run things on the PP.
Anyone think that if we go after another winger, it could be Sykora if not Fedotenko? He is a goal scorer and was with PIT for awhile…
Duh! This is the place to be! Doug has been telling you for years.
SotB +1
CF ‘felt pressure’ to get Havlat done.
Don’t you just Manage Expectations™ in that situation?
Urgency. Something else the previous regime did not feel a sense of.
If the price is right, I’m a fan of Chad Larose. Guy has speed and grit. And, no, he is not a Clutterbuck clone. Clutterbuck is an agitator (or pest to some). Larose focuses on scoring where Clutterbuck focuses on hitting guys and stirring things up. And, Larose has playoff experience.
Okay….I’ll be more patient…I think it’s the heat down here in this hell hole they call Phoenix. I need a few cold ones.
If Koivu doesn’t come here, his brother is going to have to take a lot of crap from the fans.
AZ stop crying. AZ heat is dry. Try Texas or Florida and then you can complain.
If Koivu doesn’t come here, his brother is going to have to take a lot of crap from the fans.
Why?
SAWF,
I’m not sure that’s true. Can you control any of your siblings? Neither can I nor can most others. I really don’t think the fans will blame Mikko if Saku decides to play elsewhere…I think the fans (including me) will blame Saku.
SAWF,
you obviously know nothing about the sonoran desert climate…it’s anything BUT dry here this time of year. Try Texas or Florida you say?? Nah, too many rednecks.
AZ: I’m impressed. Honorably played sir. And, I used to live in PHX, you can complain about that heat all you want. Dry or not, that is too damn hot.
Leopold signs with Florida. That would have been interesting to see him back in Minny.
LaRose is a pest. Ask any Canes fan. He’s just not as good at it as Clutter.
Clutter can hit, pop in a few goals, agitate/pest, fight, and alot CHEAPER. Clutter is also taller (by 2 inches) and bigger.
Clutter >>>>>>>LaRose
LaRose re-signed with Carolina. Two years, $3.4M total.
for the record SAWF…you’re 99 degrees with a 61 dewpt currently…here it’s 102 with a 59 dewpt…it’s a draw but i digress, this isn’t a weather blog.
Mikko won’t take any heat from the fans. It’s not like he came out and said, “I’m going to get my bro to sign in MN.” Nope. The fan angst should collect and be handed out the first game the NYR play here. That’s my plan anyway.
LaRose also had 19 goals and 12 assists in the regular season and 4-7-11 in the playoffs. I would’ve happily taken him.
Is Fletcher saying he wants to sign Koivu and another high scoring forward? I hope so, signing Koivu and then your done just isn’t going to get you to the playoffs this year.
Kevin: missed that. Thanks. My bromance for Larose is over.
Comparing who is hotter between Phoenix and San Antonio is like trying to decide which Sedin twin eats more brain.
ACLU: You practice law?
ACLUguy says:
Nope, still a student. I’m simply a member and supporter ATM.
OK. What’s the over under on how many days its going to take for Russoville’s first suit for violation of a poster’s civil liberties resulting from the unceremonious smack down of their opinion 
RisebroughSux….I just started reading this blog yesterday and I have one question….Have you ever had a day of fun in your entire life?
RisbroughSux: You’re never satisfied. You’re on the borderlline with the “me, me, me, I want changes now, now, now” gang that showed up here over the past 2 days. This is a REBUILDING process. We aren’t winning the cup this year. We would be lucky to make the playoffs the way DR button-hooked us over the past 9 years.
KiPA:
That’s a lo of money for LaRose. I thought Rutherford would’ve done a better job at the contract. And, he’s good at squeezing some of these contracts.
Am I wrong in thinking this?
Havlat had players around him. Do you honestly think we have a Toews or Kane on our roster to support Havlat. Hell, I would even settle for Dustin Byfugelin.
I keep waiting for RisebroughSux to inadvertently post:
Dump the dumpper.
You’re all lemmings.
The Mild sucks.
Signed Mister Knows it All.
Risebrough: What did you expect. Again, rebuilding. This is something done in steps. There is a cap. This isn’t baseball and we’re not the Yankees. You can’t make stanley cup champs out of the 2008 Wild team in one draft and one FA period. And, you lost credibility when you said Dusty Ugly. Where would that get us? Gabby did a good job with what was around him. Seems to me that Havlat will be able to replicate that success.
Risebrough: If you have season tickets, and I’m being 100% serious, let me know because I will buy them from you.
I don’t really think it’s a bad contract. LaRose was by far the Hurricanes’ best player in the Eastern Final. If he’s able to step up his offense just a little he can put in 20-25 goals consistently, and as you said, he does a lot of other things that you guys love Clutterbuck for. He was a pain in the ass to play against in the playoffs.
AZ - I lived four years in AZ. Two years at Fort Huachuca. Two years in Goodyear so I know about the heat. Why are you picking on Texas “Rednecks.” I’m from MN and I have no problems with anyone in AZ or Texas or anywhere. Texas humidity is 10x worse then AZ dry heat.
KiPA, LaRose was good, but Jokinen was there meal ticket.
I just don’t think Larose has done enough in the regular season to warrant $1.7 million per.
oh well. good for him
It’s nothing personal SAWF, but the best view of Texas was in my rear-view mirror. Austin and SA are neat places but the rest of the state just doesn’t fit me…sorry, but that’s life. Glad you lived in Goodyear, I love it out there.
The weather? Really guys/gals? We live in MN. No one has more room to bitch about bad weather than us. Do you see us complaining? Very good. Let’s move on.
I agree with your thoughts on the rest of Texas. But unlike Tax u to death Minnesota, there are no state taxes here and that puts another $15-20k in my pockets that I can fly up and watch Wild games in person and of course, hit White Castle.
Kane and Toews - really? If Havlat plays with Koivu he will already be better
Jussi has had better numbers in the regular season and deserves the contract that he received, which was the same amount as LaRose.
And he was better than LaRose in the playoffs.
LaRose was good, but Jokinen was there meal ticket.
Not in the Eastern finals. That’s all I cited.
Sunshine: So many contracts these days are being paid for potential. One of Puck Daddy’s experts in his blog theorizes that LaRose re-signed in Carolina because he wasn’t getting a big enough offer to leave.
If Clutterbuck scores 20, what do you think he’ll ask for?
Do you see us complaining?
I’ll answer this question in the winter.
Casual, I do miss the 6 months of winter, 4 months of clouds and rain, and the two months of sun and flying critters MN is known for.
I guess I shouldn’t be nitpicky about LaRose’s contract when Mittens is getting paid $2.33 million and he hasn’t even scored 19 goals yet though he has earned more points.
Kessel and Leopold are available. Anyone here think they would be a good fit?
Jordan Leopold signed 1yr with Florida… he’s no longer available.
Jussi has had better numbers in the regular season
He had one goal with Carolina in 25 regular season games. His career high for one season is 17. LaRose had 19 this year. Jokinen had better numbers early in his career but this is very much a “what have you done for me lately or what will you do for me in the future” league.
Think what you want. I’m done trying to convince you. I think it’s a fair contract.
Russo Radio, am1500, now
Do you see us complaining?
I’ll answer this question in the winter.
Sheesh…talk about a softball… 
Gvie Foster another year and get on with it.
Kessel is an RFA. Tough to pry those away without going all Penner on a team.
Besides, when Kessel was choosing where to sign, he chose not to come to MN. Even with the new regime, he might not want to be here.
Let me rephrase the softball question: Do you see MN people duking it out with ND or SD people who have teh same weather? We all suffer together. We don’t argue about who is colder, windier, snowier, or frostier. Oppressive weather, hot or cold, sucks. We can all agree. But, what doesn’t suck is Chuck Fletcher. Carry on.
“Besides, when Kessel was choosing where to sign, he chose not to come to MN. Even with the new regime, he might not want to be here.”
Probably because of the weather.
This is true casual….Can you imagine how we would be feeling right now if DR were still the GM?
Well, we can play softball all year long and drive our classic cars.
casualobserver +1
SAWF…whatcha got?
I don’t see Foster getting signed until later in the FA period. He fits the profile of many of our current guys: offensive defenseman. I like the guy a lot. I would like to see him back. He has a killer shot and takes the body (or used to pre-injury). Yes, his shot sometimes misses the net, but it is still respected and draws a winger, which opens up the slot or lower circles. Patience on getting our former players signed, if they’re going to be signed at all.
Kj,
Wasn’t it Wheeler that chose to become a UFA and sign in Boston?
SanAntonio: We play hockey year long and drive our classic snowplows. Oh, and we have professional hockey…that was a low blow.
Ben…Wheeler…Kessel…all those damn Rodents are the same to me…
Yes sir, I believe you are correct…my bad.
KJ - 1970 Challenger 440 Six-Pack and a 1969 Roadrunner 440 Six-Pack. I had them both when I went to Kennedy HS a while back.
Casual, I am a MN Guy through and through so I am a Wild Fan, not the traitor Dallas Stars fan.
good to see saku is still very likely….if saku wants a forth year….give it to the guy…..if the forth year is like about 1.5 mil….
koivu’s tend to be well conditioned…so I do think he will be around and very solid til 2 years after the 4 year contract is up….
wishful thinking…i know……but that is what happens when chugging the kool-aid…..
Nice SAWF…I had a 69 Roadrunner in HS.
68 Cougar XR/7 390 now.
M 03…anything new on Russo Radio?
You’re all so young….when I last lived in MN, all 3 professional teams were playing in Bloomington. The North Stars were still referred to as being an expansion team even though they were 2 years old. Joe Kapp as leading the Vikes to the super bowl in New Orleans and the Twins lost to the Orioles in the ALCS…Kudos to who can guess the year.
LOL at calling Foster an offensive defensemen. Not even.
He is PP quarterback and a #6-7 defensemen.
The LaRose deal seems quite reasonable.
1969
I was 11.
1969
kj: the discussion were items he’s covered through the blog and twitter. He did say he’s going to shut it down for a while (LV, FL, jury duty). MT said season II of Russo Radio starts this fall. For me, it is a hoot to hear him live - his blog captures the same conversational style. Very cool.
Uh, I graduated college then.
azwild: what do the guys win?
sunshine you are correct. At best 6 or 7 and a very inaccurate boomer from the point.
a half eaten breadstick…and a 10 dollar coupon from j.c. penny
Let’s see–1969–how about a coupon from Montgomery Ward’s or Zayre’s. Or Donaldson’s or Powers.
Kessel got to choose where to sign? He was drafted by Boston.
Might be thinking of Wheeler. Drafted by PHX, they lost his rights when he wasn’t signed, so he became a UFA. He was the one that said he wanted to leave MN for the 1st time.
no…..j.c. penny……that was the only place that was willing to fork it over….(wal-mart was too, but they don’t count)
Sorry - I see Ben already clarified. I’ll go run an errand now.
they win kudos….kudos to kj, you were first to get the answer correct!
Was it Donaldsons that became Daytons?
welcome to russoville azwild btw…..
I didn’t say Foster was a top D in the league, or on the Wild. I mean to say that his style of play is geared more toward offense. You don’t put a defensive guy on the PP. His slap shot is admittedly inaccurate at times, as slap shots tend to be by nature, but it is a solid shot and is respected by opposing teams. He’s clearly not sought after by the league. I like him though. I expect that if the Wild do sign him, he will be a #6 or #7 D.
I am inclined to agree with for4rest here. C’mon guys, he is only -1 for his carreerand has put up close to thirty points a couple of times, scoring 10 goals in 58 games. That’s more than solid for a #6 or #7. His issue is also staying healthy, as I don’t think he’s played more than 60 games in any year. Still could get value if he wants to stay. He has way better offensive upside than Zannon. Beyond that, he is well liked and respected in the room.
WTF? Just sign the guy already. What, are we holding out for one more year? If he is the guy you want go get him. If he doesn’t sign, we are F’d at center and once again will have to HOPE we make the playoffs. You know, these agents are horrible, this is what screws everything up. Saku wants to play here but the agent is trying to get as much dough as possible and the Wild are trying to not overpay. Some other team comes in and offers one more year and the deal is done for the agent so he gets more commission and the dumb hockey player says “O.K.” Ridiculous.
saku wants security….not his agent….if there is another year, it will be at a smaller number….
I like Foster too. A lot of character. I thought he played pretty well when he came back last year. He is big and wants to play for the Wild. I say we keep him, love that slap shot of his. Off target, sometimes, but who on the Wild wasnt?
So far I give Fletcher a B+. What does everyone else think? I have a feeling this guy is going to be a legend around here.
It is 3:25am in Turku. Knowing everything that has been reported I am sure Saku is not sitting up working out details. My bet is we will here something when we wake up tomorrow.
No, Dayton’s was Dayton’s. Donaldson’s and Powers were competitors. argon you must be young as all the stores I cited are out of business but were going strong in ‘69. As to Foster, he gets beat too often and +/- is a very misleading stat. Aside from the fact that it depends on who you are out against–much easier when you play the checking lines–, who is playing with you, whether the goalie is a sieve, etc. It also doesn’t take into account PP or PK. So, for all the Skoula-haters, he did take a regular shift on one of the better PK units in the league but that never shows up in +/-. Likewise I suspect that Foster didn’t often play on the PK. Yes, i am sure he is well-liked.
If the Wild get Saku and another scoring forward, I would hold off on signing a D-man for now. They’re asking for too much. There’s bound to be a team in Dec. and Jan. needing a #1 goalie. Trade Harding and one of our 3 or 4 line forwards or a D-man for a top D-man. Who knows the Wild may get some “currency” to boot if the trading partner is disparate for a goalie.
tweet from russo:
RussostribSource: Koivu deal to Wild is going south. Read more at startribune.com/russo #nhl
Oh, no.
Yikes - Russo says Koivu deal going south.
azwild, about 1969.
If the team doesn’t sign Saku to be the second line center, I really, honestly, truly believe we should turn to another Minnesota favorite to handle the job: Nick Punto.
