Minnesota Wild General Manager Search: Over?

by nathaneide on May 21, 2009 4:13 PM CDT in News Comment 8 comments

According to numerous sources, the Minnesota Wild have made their selection and owner Craig Leipold will make the announcement of the new General Manager Friday, May 22, at 4:00 pm CDT.

Most people believe it comes down to Chuck Fletcher, David McNab and *puke* Pierre McGuire.

I'm still holding out hope for Fletcher, and Eklund says:

"Chuck Fletcher Leading Candidate for Wild GM Job. Could be announced tomorrow. (e5)"

Guess that means we're looking at:

via www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

SWEET!

It's now confirmed from Russo:

According to NHL sources, the Star Tribune has learned that the Wild has agreed to terms with Pittsburgh Penguins assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher to replace Doug Risebrough, who was fired April 16.

An announcement is expected Friday.

Fletcher could not be reached for comment and the Wild would not confirm.

Fletcher, 41, the son of longtime NHL exec Cliff Fletcher, has been around the sport since he was a child. He's got 16 years of experience with Florida, Anaheim and Pittsburgh, and he's only 41, working alongside some of the NHL's most respected executives -- Bill Torrey, Bobby Clarke, Bryan Murray, Brian Burke and now Ray Shero.

He's a rarity because he negotiates contracts, like the $58 million Pavel Bure deal in Florida, and helps scout and draft players. It's a team effort, obviously, but some of the best include Ed Jovanovski, Rob Niedermayer, Rhett Warrener, Kristian Huselius, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Joffrey Lupul and Bobby Ryan.

Yeah. I'm happy.

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More and more word comes out giving the job to Fletcher

And with that, Todd Richards is likely the favorite for the head coaching job.

Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.

by nathaneide on May 21, 2009 4:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I really wanted you guys to hire a crappy GM. Didn’t happen.

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on May 21, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just got the Press Release

Announcement will be Friday at 4PM.

http://www.hockeywilderness.com

by BReynolds on May 21, 2009 4:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If he is anything like Cliff Fletcher you guys just got a great GM.

The new mma-elite.com is coming soon! If you are interested in being a writer contact me.

by Brad Ackerson on May 21, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Celebrate!

I Love the Selection…Look how he has helped Build Pittsburgh from the bottom Feeders after Lemeiux Retired to what they are today with Malkin, Crosby, Staal, Fleury ETC.

by Tony_O on May 21, 2009 5:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Congrats guys. You’re definitely in good hands with Fletch.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on May 21, 2009 8:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Frank

I could not be happier. He has had success everywhere he’s been, and I’m looking forward to moving forward with a new style and a new generation of the Minnesota Wild.

Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.

by nathaneide on May 21, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wanted when this process began, I didn’t think it would happen, I guess I just had too much experience with the Failures of the T-Wolves to believe that the wild wouldn’t fall into the same types of traps. But today, My spirits are once again lifted. I doubly like the fact that he has successfuly negotiated contracts with several big time stars to play for what at the time where mediocre or bad teams. Something we have really struggled with under DR

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on May 22, 2009 8:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs