Minnesota Wild General Manager Search: Craig Button

According to Michael Russo, NHL.com and NHL Network analyst Craig Button is very interested in the Minnesota Wild general manager position.

Button, 46, is well-respected in the game and currently does analysis for NHL Network and writes for NHL.com.

He moved with the North Stars to Dallas, and worked there until 2000. He won a Cup with them in 1999. He then succeeded Al Coates as Calgary’s GM, and he worked there from 2000-03. Button is known to be an incredibly organized manager, one who delegates and works marvelously with not just hockey ops, but business ops. His strengths are in player development and personnel. - Michael Russo

So, he was the director of scouting and player personnel in Dallas, leading them to the 1999 Stanley Cup, then was moved up to the GM job in Calgary before being fired in 2003 and replaced by Darryl Sutter. Sutter is credited with bring the franchise back from the brink.

Button, however, had a tough deal in Calgary. They had to beg people to buy tickets for a few years in order to not have the Flames join the Jets and Nordiques in abandoning their Canadian homes. Luckily it worked, but it left Button with virtually no money in the coffers. The team estimated it lost $14.5 million between 2001 and 2003.

So, tough break, but I'd still rather have a fresh start. Bring in someone who hasn't had the top job.