Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Belanger injury adds to Wild's pain in loss to Canucks

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November 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The painful beginning to the Wild's season took one to the midsection Thursday night. A team with just five wins in 14 games before the opening faceoff snoozed through a first period so uneventful that only the scattered boos kept many in the Xcel Energy Center crowd of 18,105 awake. When it was over, the Wild had absorbed a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks that snapped their two-game win streak and left them with an ugly winning percentage of .333. That first period was a beauty. "We weren't prepared coming into the game," said center Kyle Brodziak, who scored both his team's goals and was one of the few bright spots in the Wild lineup. "Our first period, it was unbelievable ..."

Injured Clutterbuck could return to Wild this weekend

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October 22

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Cal Clutterbuck was the rainbow that emerged after a storm of injuries to the Wild early last season, arriving from Houston of the American Hockey League and immediately making an impression. He made an impression because every time he took the ice he hammered an opposing player, forcing that player to make an impression on the sideboards. It's a timing thing, Clutterbuck explained. Well, he hasn't lost his timing. Although he wasn't ready to step back into the lineup, after joining the Wild's morning practice Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center before Minnesota's home meeting with the Colorado Avalanche, Clutterbuck said he was close. "I really didn't expect to be walking very well at ..."

Kobasew set to make debut

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October 20

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Chuck Kobasew was scheduled to arrive in the Twin Cities Monday night, and if all goes according to plan, the newly acquired winger will practice with the Wild today. The status of Martin Havlat and Petr Sykora is less certain, but coach Todd Richards is hopeful one or both forwards might be back on the ice today. The Wild obtained Kobasew from Boston on Sunday to inject some grit and speed into a roster compromised by injuries. Sykora has missed the past three games because of a groin injury, and Havlat has sat out the past two because of a similar condition. Both skated on their own before Monday's practice, and Richards said at least one might be ready to return today. Barring any ..."

Crippled Wild won't seek quick fix

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October 17

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Wild confirmed Friday that injured forwards Cal Clutterbuck and Pierre-Marc Bouchard will be out indefinitely, but General Manager Chuck Fletcher said he won't make any panic moves for quick fixes. "I don't think we want to react to the injuries and say we have to make a trade and fill those holes," Fletcher said. "If we can do something that makes sense from a longer-term perspective, we would do it. But I don't think we'll look to move assets or make a trade to do something short-term." An MRI on Clutterbuck's left ankle confirmed he has a high ankle sprain. "It's not the most severe type of high ankle sprain, but any high ankle sprain is a significant injury. We're talking weeks, ..."

Clutterbuck could be out for weeks as injuries pile up on Wild

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October 13

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The adversity already is piling up for a Wild team that has stumbled out of the gate. The Wild, with a 1-3 record, faces the possibility of playing a number of weeks without winger Cal Clutterbuck, General Manager Chuck Fletcher said Monday. Center Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who was examined by a well-known concussion expert Saturday, continues to be out indefinitely. Left winger Petr Sykora has a sore groin and is doubtful for Wednesday's game at Anaheim. The Wild recalled forwards Andy Hilbert and Nathan Smith from AHL Houston on Monday. "Arguably our second line's out of the lineup. It's something we'll have to deal with and work around," Fletcher said. Clutterbuck -- last year's NHL hits ..."

Phil Kessel trade likely

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September 17

Boston Herald

"Because of the looming threat the Bruins will not be able to match an offer sheet for free agent Phil Kessel, two well-placed sources in Toronto said the team is close to pulling off a blockbuster trade involving the 21-year-old sniper. According to the sources, the deal likely will be finalized within the next week, as four teams are in the running. Toronto and Nashville have made the best offers in talks with B's general manager Peter Chiarelli. Minnesota and the New York Rangers also are in the mix. The Bruins hoped all along to keep Kessel but could not re-sign him despite making a lucrative offer, so they are close to getting what they can for him and moving on. "We're obviously at an ..."

Wild expected to sign 'pure goal scorer' Petr Sykora after tryout

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September 15

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Adding Petr Sykora is not "a big piece of the puzzle" for the Wild, coach Todd Richards said Monday. Not yet. But Richards, unable to suppress a smile, said it could turn out that way. A veteran forward who scored the 300th goal of his NHL career on April 7 for the Pittsburgh Penguins against Tampa Bay, Sykora accepted an invitation Monday from Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher to come to camp and try out. Say what? Turns out, a tryout simply means the player is unsigned and must travel to the prospective team on his own dime. The likelihood of Sykora not making the Wild is about that of Derek Boogaard scoring 20 goals this season. Coupled with free-agent signee Martin Havlat, ..."

Sykora arriving to try out with Wild

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September 15

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Unless Petr Sykora spent the summer eating monster-sized portions of sausage and Czech dumplings, the Wild will soon have one of the NHL's most consistent scorers in the fold. Sykora, one of three active NHL players (Jarome Iginla and Jason Arnott being the others) to have scored 20 or more goals for 10 consecutive seasons, is expected to arrive in Minneapolis late today to accept a pro tryout with the Wild. Unless Sykora fails his physical on Wednesday or misplaced his scorer's touch, the Wild will undoubtedly sign the 32-year-old winger in the coming days. "Last year in Pittsburgh, in what was a relatively down year for Petr, he scored 25 goals and 10 game-winners [third in the NHL]," ..."

Offer to Sykora could be in wings

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September 5

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"With Wild players set to report for training camp in one week, General Manager Chuck Fletcher is contemplating offering a contract to free-agent winger Petr Sykora. According to multiple sources, Fletcher has talked on and off with agent Allan Walsh about Sykora all summer. While Fletcher has not made an offer, he's weighing the pros and cons of making one next week. Sykora, 32, is one of three active NHLers to have scored 20-plus goals for the past 10 seasons. He's coming off a 25-goal season with the Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins and is close with newly signed Wild player and Czech countryman Martin Havlat. Fletcher has a long history with Sykora, both in Anaheim and ..."

Tanguay passes on Wild

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August 29

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Wild waited patiently for free-agent winger Alex Tanguay to make a decision on his future, and it appears that decision has been made. Canada's RDS reported Friday night that Tanguay has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sources said Friday morning that the Wild hadn't budged on a one-year, $2.5 million offer -- the max it could legitimately offer the playmaker and still be comfortably under the $56.8 million salary cap ceiling -- but the Wild continued to talk to both Tanguay and his agent. Agent Ritch Winter, who could not be reached for comment Friday, said last week that Tanguay, 29, was doing as much homework as possible so he could determine the best situation. Tampa ..."

Wild, Tanguay talking

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August 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"With training camp three weeks away and the Wild arguably in need of another scoring forward, the team has re-entered the free-agent market and is trying to land a player who for years has been a thorn in its side. Left winger Alex Tanguay, tied for third on the all-time scoring list against Minnesota with 38 points in 41 games, is considering a contract offer from the Wild, his agent said on Thursday. Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher also confirmed the team's interest in Tanguay, 29, who has scored 193 goals and 580 points over nine seasons with Colorado, Calgary and Montreal. "Alex has been on the phone with Chuck and I've been on the phone with Chuck," Tanguay's agent Ritch Winter ..."

Wild waiting on decision from Saku Koivu

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July 3

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"One day after signing winger Martin Havlat to a six-year, $30 million deal, General Manager Chuck Fletcher spent much of Thursday trying to fill another significant hole in the Wild's lineup. Fletcher said "negotiations are ongoing with Saku" Koivu, the decorated older brother of Wild center Mikko Koivu. But according to sources, the deal appeared to be heading south fast after the team believed Koivu-to-Minnesota was a lock Wednesday night. "We've expressed some interest. I think a lot of teams have expressed interest," Fletcher said. "He's a great hockey player and there aren't a lot of centermen in the market place, so I'd be stunned if 10 or 15 teams haven't reached out to him by this ..."

Fletcher won't confirm Gaborik offer

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July 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"While Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher and agent Ron Salcer had a lengthy conversation Tuesday, it's unclear as to whether Fletcher extended an 11th-hour contract offer to Marian Gaborik. What is clear is that Gaborik will hit the free-agent market at 11 a.m. today, meaning Gaborik's days in a Wild sweater are all but over. "[Today's] July 1," Fletcher said, "so obviously Marian and every pending unrestricted free agent will be free to speak with teams." Fletcher said he didn't want to comment on any specific negotiations, but Salcer said that before Tuesday, the Wild hadn't made a contract offer since Fletcher became GM last month. "I've spoken with Ron," Fletcher said. "He's spoken to ..."

Wild puts watchful eye on Koivu's big brother

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July 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"If Jukka and Tuire Koivu had their way, oldest son Saku would be signing with the Wild by roughly 11:01 a.m. today. If only it were that simple. The Wild, in need of a second-line center behind Mikko Koivu, is expected to try and unite the Koivu Bros. during free-agency, which begins this morning. But Mikko Koivu said Tuesday that doesn't mean Saku, the longtime captain in Montreal, automatically will sign on the dotted line. "It would be a great opportunity and something special for sure, but there's a lot of things that he has to figure out with his family, and honestly, me," Koivu, 8 1/2 years younger than his brother, said by phone from Turku, Finland. "We've talked about it, and it ..."

Wings' offer might not be enough for Marian Hossa

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July 1

Detroit News

"As NHL free agency moved toward Wednesday's noon start, it appeared Marian Hossa of the Red Wings was ready to shop around. Hossa and agent Ritch Winter turned down an offer from the Wings for at least eight years at $4 per season. On the free-agent market, Hossa is expected to get offers significantly higher -- perhaps worth $15 million to $20 million more over the life of the contract -- due to the Wings' salary cap restrictions."

Wild puts watchful eye on Koivu's big brother

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July 1

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"If Jukka and Tuire Koivu had their way, oldest son Saku would be signing with the Wild by roughly 11:01 a.m. today. If only it were that simple. The Wild, in need of a second-line center behind Mikko Koivu, is expected to try and unite the Koivu Bros. during free-agency, which begins this morning. But Mikko Koivu said Tuesday that doesn't mean Saku, the longtime captain in Montreal, automatically will sign on the dotted line. "It would be a great opportunity and something special for sure, but there's a lot of things that he has to figure out with his family, and honestly, me," Koivu, 8 1/2 years younger than his brother, said by phone from Turku, Finland. "We've talked about it, and it ..."

Time for Wild to make a splash

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June 28

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"OK, the NHL draft was more like a ripple than a splash for the Wild. But if you had listened to owner Craig Leipold on Saturday, you'd have to believe that splash is just around the corner. The sales calls will soon go out fast and furious. The Wild is going to advertise the arena, the passionate Minnesota fan base and the offensive -- stress on the word offensive -- system that will be installed by a young, innovative coach. Free agency opens Wednesday, and Leipold says the Wild has the loot to throw at upper-echelon players. The Wild struck out last summer with Marian Hossa. If Detroit's unable to re-sign him, expect the Wild to step up to the plate and try again. Maybe it's the Sedin ..."

Wild roster situation

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June 28

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Here is a look at the Wild heading into free agency, which starts Wednesday (first number is salary cap number; if there's a second number, it's total salary for the upcoming season): UNDER CONTRACTG Niklas Backstrom, $6 million D Kim Johnsson, $4.85 million ($5.3 million) RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard, $4.08 million ($4.25 million) D Brent Burns, $3.55 million ($3.4 million) D Nick Schultz, $3.5 million ($3.4 million) D Marek Zidlicky, $3.35 million ($3.5 million) C Mikko Koivu, $3.25 million ($3.3 million) RW Owen Nolan, $2.75 million RW Antti Miettinen, $2.33 million ($2.5 million) LW Andrew Brunette, $2.33 million ($2.5 million) C Eric Belanger, $1.75 million C James Sheppard, $1.4 million ..."

Wild ready to recruit executive from Sens

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June 25

Ottawa Citizen

"It remains to be seen if the Minnesota Wild, who are apparently one of the front-runners in the Dany Heatley bidding, land the left-winger, but it seems certain they are about to make at least one key addition from the Ottawa Senators. It's believed that within a day or two of the draft ending, possibly as early as Monday, Ottawa's director of hockey operations, Brent Flahr, will be announced as Minnesota's assistant general manager. He'll replace Tom Lynn, who was recently fired by new general manager Chuck Fletcher. Fletcher worked with Flahr in both Anaheim and Florida, where they both worked for Murray. Because Flahr, who turns 35 today, is so key to Ottawa's draft strategy, Murray ..."

Wild ideas about Heatley

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June 25

Ottawa Citizen

"Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray and Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher are close. Fletcher, just recently appointed to the Minnesota job, worked for Murray in both Florida and Anaheim. Under normal circumstances, then, they would ordinarily talk often, but they've been speaking even more frequently in the past few days. The topic? Dany Heatley. According to several sources, the Wild are serious players in the Heatley sweepstakes (along with the New York Rangers and the St. Louis Blues, but more on them later). With unrestricted free agent Marian Gaborik out the door (possibly to Los Angeles or Vancouver), the Wild would like to add a scorer. There are few better ..."

Teams looking at Heatley

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June 24

Ottawa Citizen

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"The Edmonton Oilers are thought to be interested in Heatley. The Oilers have some young players the Senators would be interested in, such as defenceman Tom Gilbert and forward Patrick O'Sullivan. Centre Andrew Cogliano has also been mentioned, but the Oilers have let it be known that they won't trade him. There was some thought the Oilers would make a pitch for Florida defenceman Jay Bouwmeester, a native Edmontonian, but they've decided they'd like to score a few more goals, for a change. Broadway Dany? The New York Rangers are said to be one of the teams on Heatley's list and one of the teams that's actually interested in him. But the Rangers would first have to shed at least one of ..."

Heatley gives Sens wishlist

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June 24

Ottawa Sun

"Dany Heatley has told the Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million (all terms US) bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators GM Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wishlist of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents J.P. Barry and Stacey ..."

Where will Dany go?

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June 24

Ottawa Sun

"While some teams are kicking the tires on Dany Heatley, others want no part of the sharpshooter. League sources told Sun Media Senators GM Bryan Murray has asked teams to submit their offers as soon as possible if they're interested in Heatley, who recently said he did not want to play in Ottawa anymore. Murray, who says he won't deal Heatley if the club is forced to pay him a $4-million (all terms US) bonus due on July 1, would like to get a deal done -- maybe before the NHL draft begins Friday night. Heatley has submitted a wishlist of teams he'll accept a trade to -- a list that includes Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, San Jose, Vancouver and New York Rangers. A source confirmed ..."

Agent says Gaborik hasn't ruled out return to Wild

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June 24

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Marian Gaborik's agent said he has not "closed the door on the Wild," but amid a report that Gaborik already has bought a home in Vancouver, it won't be easy to get the Wild's all-time leading scorer to pass up the lure of free agency this close to the market opening. "You never know what can happen," agent Ron Salcer told the Star Tribune. "Right now, the only team we can talk to is the Minnesota Wild. I don't like to say anything's a foregone conclusion [that he's leaving] because until July 1, it's not going to be. "But free agency is very enticing. To find out what's available out there in a free market with 29 other teams would be interesting. But you never burn bridges and you wait ..."

New Wild GM ready to deal

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June 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"If Chuck Fletcher had made a list of things to accomplish last September, it probably would have had only two entries: 1) Win Stanley Cup, 2) Get GM job. Check. Check. Good year. Now the new Wild general manager, having been handed the keys to his first organization, is hoping to crash through Montreal's Bell Centre with a loud first impression at the NHL draft on Friday and Saturday. We're not just talking about which player the Wild takes at 12th overall, although it's very conceivable the Wild, which is again without a second- or third-round pick, drops down with the aim of adding picks. We're talking about actual player trades -- maybe significant ones -- as Fletcher, the assistant GM ..."

Kaberle Rumour Nixed

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June 18

Toronto Sun

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"Burke brushed aside a rumour that he has discussed sending veteran defenceman Tomas Kaberle to the Minnesota Wild for defenceman Marek Zidlicky and goaltender Josh Harding. Burke has a window to trade both Kaberle and Pavel Kubina this summer as the Leafs did not make the playoffs. Meanwhile, free-agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson is expected to visit Burke and other members of the Leafs front office in Toronto tomorrow. The Leafs are one of four teams vying for the Swede. Gustavsson, generally considered the best goaltender outside of the NHL, already visited Colorado and San Jose this week and reportedly touched down in Dallas yesterday. He will tour the Dallas area today, including ..."

Richards will be Wild coach

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June 15

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Todd Richards will be the second coach in Wild history, multiple sources around the NHL tell the Star Tribune. Sources say an official offer has been made, negotiations are underway and a news conference could come as early as Tuesday to introduce Richards, an assistant with the San Jose Sharks. Richards, 42, a native of Crystal and a former Gophers defenseman, spent last season in San Jose as Todd McLellan's assistant. This came after two seasons as the head coach with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he led the Baby Pens to the Calder Cup Finals in 2008. He was hired to that job by then-Penguins assistant GM and Wilkes Barre GM Chuck Fletcher."

Fletcher closing in on finding Wild's coach

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June 12

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"After devoting much of this week to hiring the second coach in Wild history, new General Manager Chuck Fletcher said he's made significant progress. "I've spoken with lots of people around the league and I've analyzed this thing over and over again," Fletcher said. "I've had some interviews. I've got a little more work to do through this weekend and early next week. But I think I've made some good progress in the last week. "I believe I'll soon be in a position to make an offer to somebody." Just who that is, however, Fletcher says he hasn't determined. According to sources, San Jose Sharks assistant coach Todd Richards remains the strong frontrunner, but Fletcher has also interviewed ..."

Rangers Need Star For Legit Cup Shot

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June 7

New York Post

columnist Larry Brooks

"IF WE'VE learned any thing from this year's playoffs, it's that it is im possible to thrive in the NHL without elite offensive talent. Which means we have also learned -- or have been reminded -- how far away the Rangers are from contending for a championship. The Penguins have Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, the Caps have Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green, the Hurricanes have Eric Staal, and the Rangers . . . well, and the Rangers have no one remotely comparable. Fact is, the Blueshirts don't have a forward who would be selected in the top, what, 100 in a league-wide dispersal draft. Fact also is that it has become nearly impossible to get a top-end, ..."

New Wild GM hints trades in the offing

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June 6

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Snowed under an overstuffed plate of things to do as he formulates a plan and familiarizes himself with his new team, Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher took a half-hour from his hectic schedule Friday to hold a conference call with the local print media. Fletcher said he plans to devote much of next week on the coaching search, has spoken to potential free agent Marian Gaborik and is in the midst of pro scouting meetings that could ultimately lead to a draft day trade June 26 in Montreal. "The next couple weeks are going to be busy. There's a lot of items to tend to, a lot of issues to address," Fletcher said. Today, Fletcher will complete the final day of three day's worth of meetings ..."

Minnesota Wild GM plans for swap meet

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June 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The NHL entry draft promises to be more interesting than usual for Wild fans. For Chuck Fletcher, the June 26-27 draft will be about more than stocking Minnesota's cupboard. The Wild's new general manger is preparing to wheel and deal. "It's my opinion that there will be more available by trade than in past years," Fletcher said Friday. "You have the free-agency avenue and the trade avenue to improve over the short run, and the draft is the best way to improve over the long run. I definitely want to improve in both areas." Fletcher and the Wild's pro scouting department will finish three days of meetings today. A large part of the agenda has been rating potential free agents and targeting ..."

Wild GM Chuck Fletcher reaches out to Marian Gaborik; coaching search to intensify

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June 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Chuck Fletcher still won't say who his coaching candidates are, but the new Minnesota Wild general manager did acknowledge today he has spoken to star winger Marian Gaborik. Gaborik is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 but can negotiate exclusively with the Wild before then. When he was hired, Fletcher said he planned to reach out to Gaborik and his agent, Ron Salcer. "I have had a conversation with Marian, as I have with many players on the club," Fletcher said. "At this point, I'd rather be less forthcoming with respect to dealing with agents, and I'll respectfully decline to give specifics on negotiations. This conversation was more a matter of introducing myself ..."

Rumour mill goes Wild

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June 5

Edmonton Journal

"Former Edmonton Oilers coach Craig MacTavish could investigate a broadcasting job next season which he jokingly says "would be safer," but sources in Minnesota say he has had an interview for the Wild's head coaching job. MacTavish wouldn't comment Thursday on persistent reports that he's in the running after Jacques Lemaire, the only man to coach the Wild, quit after the regular season. MacTavish wouldn't confirm nor deny he had talked to anybody from the Wild. He did admit he's not burned out from his time behind the bench in Edmonton. He was fired shortly after the Oilers missed the playoffs for the third straight year. "I want to coach again," said MacTavish, who turns 51 in August. ..."

Tremblay won't be in Wild's coaching plans

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June 5

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Mario Tremblay's nearly decade-long tenure in Minnesota "is over," the now-former Wild assistant coach said Thursday. Tremblay, who had hoped to succeed longtime sidekick Jacques Lemaire as the Wild's head coach, said he was told by new General Manager Chuck Fletcher that he didn't make the short list to be interviewed. Tremblay's contract expires July 1. "I was disappointed, but like I told Chuck, 'I understand your decision and I'm going to move on and look somewhere else,'" Tremblay said. "I don't know Chuck very good, and he wants to bring people in he knows. I totally understand that. "I had such a good time in Minnesota. I thought when I moved from Montreal to Minnesota with my wife, ..."

Ex-North Stars coach might fit with Wild

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May 29

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"It's unclear whether the Minnesota Wild would consider Pierre Page, the classy former North Stars coach, to succeed Jacques Lemaire. But Page has been a big success in Europe, and he worked for Fletcher's father, hall of famer Cliff, for eight years in the NHL. "Uncontestedly, the best person ever to work for in the NHL," Page said today. "He got the maximum out of everybody because he treated everybody (management, hockey players and office staff) the way they should be treated." The impassioned Page coaches the EC Red Bull team in Salzburg, Austria. Besides the North Stars, he has coached the Quebec Nordiques, Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks. "I have a great position with Red Bull; ..."

Laviolette in the hunt for Wild coaching job

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May 27

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"As Chuck Fletcher begins his hunt for the second coach in Wild history, one of the top available coaches is interested in coming to Minnesota. Peter Laviolette, who coached Carolina to a Stanley Cup in 2006, has communicated his interest in the position to the Wild. While no interview has been set up yet, it's expected that Fletcher and Laviolette will speak soon. "It's a terrific, prime position for whoever gets the opportunity there, but nothing at this point officially has happened yet," Laviolette told the Star Tribune on Tuesday. "I'm definitely interested in coaching again. Minnesota is one of the premier jobs out there, so if there was a possibility, it's certainly something I'd ..."

Fletcher's first job: Hire a coach before June entry draft

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May 23

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"It's time for the Wild to go big time, owner Craig Leipold said. The days of building an expansion franchise are over. Now it's about contending for a Stanley Cup — every year. "Starting today," Leipold said Friday, "we expect more of ourselves." The man he believes will lead that charge is Chuck Fletcher, introduced as the Wild's new general manager Friday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center. "I think he's going to take this team to another level, one we maybe didn't think we could get to," Leipold said. Fletcher, 42, succeeds Doug Risebrough, hired before the Wild even fielded a team and the only GM the franchise had known in its nine years and eight seasons. Risebrough was fired April ..."

Interim GM is far from being a Risebrough robot

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May 18

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Tom Lynn was as blindsided as anybody when he got the phone call April 16 that his boss, Doug Risebrough, had been fired as Wild general manager. Delivered the news two days earlier, Risebrough respected Craig Leipold's wishes and told nobody until the Wild owner was ready to make an announcement. Lynn, hired to be Risebrough's righthand man nearly nine years earlier, flew back to Minnesota from Peoria, Ill., where the Houston Aeros -- the American Hockey League team he manages -- were in a first-round playoff matchup with the Rivermen. In the month since Lynn became the Wild's acting GM, it's been business as usual for the 41-year-old -- other than interviewing to replace his friend and ..."

Penguins' Chuck Fletcher likely Minnesota Wild GM front-runner

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May 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Word is Pittsburgh Penguins assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher is the strong front-runner for the Minnesota Wild general manager job. Fletcher, 41, is a Harvard graduate and son of much-traveled NHL executive Cliff Fletcher, who currently is a consultant for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Peers consider Chuck Fletcher an exceptional judge of talent. For instance, when he was with Anaheim, Chuck Fletcher insisted on drafting Bobby Ryan for the Ducks with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft when many other talent evaluators had Ryan rated lower. The Ducks chose Ryan behind the No. 1 overall pick, Sidney Crosby, by Pittsburgh. Fletcher is an incessant worker who has worked for three ..."

Interviews on tap for short list of Wild GM candidates

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May 5

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Maybe it was the calm before the storm, but the Wild's search for a general manager is heating up. With the help of a committee that includes former Wild CEO Jac Sperling, owner Craig Leipold has weeded down a list of nearly 30 applicants to a handful of men who bring vastly different perspectives to the job, multiple league and team sources say. The short list includes Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Chuck Fletcher, TSN and NBC color analyst Pierre McGuire, longtime NHL GM and coach Pat Quinn, Nashville Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton and Wild acting GM Tom Lynn. While other unidentified candidates possibly could emerge, sources say the two considered frontrunners have interviews ..."

Penguins assistant GM Fletcher expected to interview with Minnesota Wild

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May 3

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Penguins assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher is expected to interview soon for the vacant Minnesota Wild GM job. Fletcher is a leading candidate, though the Wild are thought to have comprised a long list of potential replacements for former GM Doug Risebrough. The Penguins' official stance isn't to comment during the playoffs on potential player or personnel movement, but they are believed to have granted the Wild permission to speak with Fletcher about the position."

Ex-Flames GM, Stars aide Button interested in Wild

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April 24

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"More than 20 years after beginning his NHL managerial career in Minnesota, Craig Button would love to return. The 46-year-old former Calgary Flames general manager is the latest name to emerge in the Wild's search for a GM to replace Doug Risebrough. Button, who worked for the North Stars from 1988 to '93 first as a scout then director of scouting, said Thursday he's interested in the job and hopes to convey that to owner Craig Leipold. "If you're interested in managing, you'd be nuts to say no to Minnesota," said Button, an analyst for the NHL Network and nhl.com. "I know Mr. Leipold is in the process of trying to put the 'what' in what he's looking for. "I'm letting him do his process, ..."

Backstrom recovery time might be six months

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April 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom will have surgery Friday in Vail, Colo., to address two cysts on the bony area of his left hip, and acting general manager Tom Lynn said it could keep Backstrom out for up to six months, into Wild training camp time. Even what Lynn called the more "average" timetable, three to five months, could stretch into September. Doctors cautioned that until Backstrom's operation is performed, no exact timetable can be known. Backstrom's surgery is not something that needed to be performed right away, but the decision between Backstrom and the Wild was to get it done now. "This surgery is one you can have or put off," Lynn said. "But the doctors said they didn't know ..."

Fletcher likely GM candidate

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April 18

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"At least two NHL clubs, Colorado and Minnesota, are shopping for a general manager, and a few others might be in coming weeks. But, for the moment, no team has asked Penguins general manager Ray Shero for permission to discuss a job with his assistant, Chuck Fletcher. Shero won't be shocked, though, if he does receive such a request. "I think Chuck definitely is ready to be a general manager," Shero said. "I would expect him to be a candidate for several of these jobs, so we'll see what happens." Shero brought in Fletcher, 41, during the summer of 2006, a few months after Shero was hired to succeed Craig Patrick. Fletcher came from Anaheim, where he had spent four seasons in the front ..."

Burke denies GM-less Wild's request to talk to Nonis for GM

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April 17

Toronto Sun

"Dave Nonis will not be taking a walk on the Wild side any time soon. Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke confirmed last night that the Minnesota Wild has been denied permission to speak with Nonis about the vacant general manager's job, which became available after the firing of Doug Risebrough yesterday. The Wild was turned away when it made the subsequent request to the Leafs. "He has no out," Burke said in an e-mail to Sun Media. Nonis, the Leafs' senior vice-president of hockey operations, is the man in charge of the negotiations with the advisors of Boston University free agent defenceman Matt Gilroy. According to Nonis' contract with the Leafs, he does not have an out clause ..."

Backstrom might need hip surgery to aid groin

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April 17

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Like Marian Gaborik before, it appears Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom's groin pain was stemming from a hip problem. Hesitant to speak because he had yet to talk with Wild acting General Manager Tom Lynn, Backstrom said Thursday he might need surgery. "I saw a doctor today, and the team doctors, and we have to decide now in a couple days if I need surgery," Backstrom said. "I need to get other opinions, and also from back home in Finland. It's tough for me because everything's in English, so I need someone to translate to me so I know exactly what's going on." Backstrom said he hoped to talk to Gaborik so he can see his hip specialist, Marc Philippon of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, ..."

Preds say Poile 'committed to Nashville'

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April 17

Tennessean

"It doesn't appear Predators general manager David Poile is leaving Nashville anytime soon. Former Predators owner Craig Leipold, now owner of the Minnesota Wild, fired general manager Doug Risebrough on Thursday, leading to speculation Leipold might try to hire Poile in Minnesota. Poile has been the only general manager of the Predators since they hired him in July of 1997, and he built the Nashville teams that advanced to the playoffs four of the past five seasons. Poile couldn't immediately be reached for comment Thursday, but a Predators spokesperson said Poile was "committed to Nashville and committed to building this team into a Stanley Cup contender.'' Poile did say last summer that ..."

Quickly, the line begins to form

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April 17

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Craig Leipold will have no shortage of candidates for the Wild's general manager vacancy. In fact, one person would be interested in either the GM job or the coaching job. Pat Quinn, whose daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren live in Eden Prairie, hopes to talk to the Wild owner in the coming days. "I've been going into Minnesota since I was a young man to play back in the North Star days, and over the years, I've gained lots of friendships ... in the area, and obviously my daughter's settled there," said Quinn, 66. "But the reason I'm interested the most is the passion for the game of hockey from the fans and the community. ... It's just a great hockey market." Quinn, who has 657 ..."

Mario Tremblay ought to be the Minnesota Wild's new head coach

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April 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Tom Powers

"Doug Risebrough owes it to himself to take his time in hiring a new coach. He should look around, conduct a bunch of interviews and read through a stack of résumés. After all, the opportunity to hire a head coach comes along, what, every nine years? But when the dust settles, he doesn't have to look very far to find the best candidate. "I'm going to let Doug decide if he wants to talk to me about the job," said Mario Tremblay, Jacques Lemaire's top assistant with the Wild since Day One. "I'm not going to stand here and be a cheerleader for myself. But he knows I would like to coach." Asked point-blank if he'd like to become the second head coach in Minnesota Wild history, Tremblay ..."

Lemaire says he won't coach Montreal Canadiens

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April 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"Departing Minnesota Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said today it's unclear whether he'll remain in hockey as a coach. But if he does coach, he said, it won't be in Montreal, where he became a hall of fame player and has a home. "I would not go there," he said. "You don't want to spend (with media) 20 minutes on hockey and 40 minutes on what surrounds the game. Not as a coach." In Montreal, Lemaire said, the media want to know "what kind of shorts I'm wearing before the game." — Lemaire was hesitant when asked about chances of free agent Marian Gaborik returning to Minnesota. Lemaire, who is walking away from $1.5 million he had left for next season on his contract, also said even if Gaborik ..."

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