I know this is not a fun subject. Its one of those painful by necessary topics to discuss since it has a great impact on the direction of the franchise; who should be considered for the job to be just the 3rd Head Coach in franchise history? So hopefully this funny parody put together for the ESPY Awards from a few years ago can make you laugh. Perhaps the Wild could use a coach more like Jules Winnfield. So what kind of coach do you think the Wild need? Do they need a proven NHL Head Coach who been a bench boss before, possibly multiple times? Do they need a disciplinarian? Do they need a coach that will truly embrace an ‘up-tempo’ style or one that brings the team back to its neutral zone trap roots like the team’s original coach Jacques Lemaire? Would they be better off with a shameless players’ coach like Reg Dunlop from Slap Shot?
Wild owner Craig Leipold told the Minneapolis-Star Tribune‘s Michael Russo this in a recent interview when asked “Do you regret going from the defensively responsible Jacques Lemaire system to up-tempo and need to be “entertaining?” Leipold responded, “We’re not an up-tempo team, so that part didn’t work out. The issue of entertainment I still think is important. But as Jacques Lemaire would say, ‘Winning is entertainment,’ and I think that’s true.” A comment like that certainly opens up the possibilities for a wider list of coaching candidates.
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Former Notre Dame Football (and Minnesota Golden Gopher’s) Head Coach Lou Holtz once said, “Coaching is nothing more than eliminating mistakes before you get fired.” Do you think it was being unable to fix his mistakes that was the reason the Minnesota Wild decided to give Todd Richards his walking papers? Was it his constant struggle with matching lines or his choice to hold optional team practices after lopsided losses at home? We’ll probably never get a definite answer, but Holtz would likely offer this sage piece of advice for the ousted Wild Head Coach; “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent of how you respond to it.” It was Richards’ responses to the team’s struggles that probably drew as much ire as the losses at home and the inconsistency of effort. So if that was the formula that got Richards fired after just two seasons at the helm, how can the Wild avoid making that mistake again?
Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher has used up his one coaching mulligan; because if he fails again he could find himself without a job. The sellout streak is over, the fans have gone 3 straight seasons without the playoffs, and convincing people to shell out the big money for season tickets would greatly assisted by more success on the ice. So with the pressure firmly on Fletcher’s shoulders to solve these issues its time to consider very carefully the candidates for the job. The only thing working in Fletcher’s favor at this point is that there has been so little success amongst Minnesota pro sports teams so if the Wild can turn it around quickly they can instantly become the talk of the town again (in a good way). I will also provide my 2 cents as to whether I think they’re a quality choice or not. The Wild want to improve their leadership from the head coaching position; so who is out there?
Let’s look at those close to the organization first and then work our way towards candidates outside of the franchise.
Rick Wilson (Minnesota Wild, Assistant Coach) – The saying goes always a bridesmaid but never a bride applies to Wilson who has been an NHL assistant coach for decades. Wilson is a noted defensive guru and many believe it was his influence that improved the play of the Wild’s blueline despite being ravaged by injuries throughout the season. If he were to be given the job of head coach he’d already have a built-in rapport with the players. Still under contract through this season Wilson was one of the few Wild coaches retained after the firing of Todd Richards. MY PICK: I think this might be a great opportunity for the Wild to get the best of both worlds; adding a well-seasoned NHL coach but someone new at the job.
Mike Yeo (Houston Aeros, AHL) – The first candidate that deserves some thought is current Houston Aeros bench boss Mike Yeo. After serving as an assistant on the Pittsburgh Penguins; Yeo took the over the head coaching duties from Kevin Constantine who coached a style similar to Jacques Lemaire. Yeo’s team currently is in the 2nd round of the American League Playoffs, and by most accounts has done some great things in Houston but he’s had just one season as head coach. Is that enough to give him the gig at the NHL level? MY PICK: No, but not because the organization is not happy with him. If Yeo had 3 years in the AHL guiding the Aeros I think he’d have a real good shot, but its dangerous to give him all of the credit for having one good season.
Michel Therrien (Wild scout, NHL) – Here is a guy who has had a few chances to coach at the NHL level, but his style would mark a huge change of direction for the organization that was trying to adopt an up-tempo style of play. Therrien loved the neutral zone trap and promoted a defensive style akin to Jacques Lemaire. While that may not make for a team that will entertain, it may make Minnesota a team that will win more games and qualify for the post-season and that is certainly was the primary reason Richards was sent packing. Therrien’s abbrassive style may not sit well with a team that will be inserting more younger players into key roles on the team. MY PICK: I am not a big fan of Therrien’s, but if the team wants more of a disciplinarian as coach he’s fairly good in that capacity; the only problem is he usually wears out his welcome pretty quick too.
Craig Hartsburg (Everett Silvertips, WHL) – This is a name that is very familiar to former fans of the Minnesota North Stars as Hartsburg was an excellently gifted defenseman before injuries derailed his playing career. As a coach, Hartsburg has been well traveled with jobs both in the NHL as well as Canadian major junior. Presently, Hartsburg is the Head Coach of the Everett Silvertips who rebounded nicely this season. Yet, its tough to ignore how miserable Hartsburg did with the Ottawa Senators where he didn’t even finish a full season as the team’s Head Coach. MY PICK: The situation with the Ottawa Senators is very similar to that of the Wild, and bringing in a guy who failed is not a solution the organization should seriously entertain.
Andy Murray (Swiss National Team, Assistant Coach) – This should be another name very familiar to Wild fans who remember him from his days as an assistant coach of the Minnesota North Stars or as the head coach at hockey prospect factory Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Fairbault. Murray comes with a reputation somewhat similar to that of Michel Therrien where he is known to be tough on his players but that also makes him quick to wear out his welcome. His teams are noted for their hard charging style that is miserable to play against as he likes to use a strong two-man forecheck. MY PICK: While I don’t mind Andy Murray, its tough to want a guy to replace Richards when you know his style of coaching may make the team seek yet another replacement in two years. When you factor that Murray’s forechecking style is similar to what Todd Richards wanted to do but was unable it just doesn’t sound like that good of a fit to me.
Mike Haviland (Chicago Blackhawks Assistant Coach) – Mike Haviland was a fairly successful AHL head coach with Norfolk and Rockford even earning ‘Coach of the Year’ honors in 2006-07 before making the jump to be an NHL assistant under Blackhawks bench boss Joel Quenneville. Haviland is a well-respected student of the game and the Blackhawks high tempo game is very similar to what he used with the Ice Hogs and Admirals respectively. MY PICK: Haviland is a good up-and-coming coach who would likely jump at the opportunity but he is completely unproven as an NHL head coach much in the same way Todd Richards was when he got here. So would Chuck Fletcher would really want to try that route again? Maybe, but I think it would be a tough sell to the fans and likely the ownership as well.
Ken Hitchcock (Unemployed) – Sort of like Michel Therrien; Hitchcock is known as a defensive-hockey guru who employs a trapping system very similar to that of Jacques Lemaire. Hitchcock is an intellectual and is noted for being a great x’s and o’s kind of coach who analyzes the team’s fault and preaches solid on-ice positioning to his players as they attempt to take advantage of their opponent’s mistakes. The caveat is over Hitchcock’s gruff demeanor that usually ends up wearing on his players which led to his relatively quick dismissals in Philadelphia and Columbus respectively. It was Hitchcock that received alot of the credit for turning the Blue Jackets’ Rick Nash and Dallas’ Mike Modano into quality two-way forwards over his time as their coaches. MY PICK: Hitchcock is probably the easiest pick to make for Chuck Fletcher if he decides to play it safe; as he is a proven NHL head coach and meticulous planner with a high hockey IQ that allows him to analyze publicly why his team struggled / failed / succeeded as opposed to Richards who often just said he’d watch the tape to find out what happened. The only question is; will the team buy into Hitchcock’s style or will lose the room the way Richards’ did?
Ted Nolan (Rochester Americans, Executive of Operations) – Michael Russo provided a single adjective to describe Ted Nolan, “Ugh” and honestly I don’t know why that is what he chose. Nolan has proven himself to being able to get more out of less than most coaches in the NHL. His teams embrace a blue collar, hustling style of hockey that usually make for a team that is greater than sum of its parts. Why wouldn’t that work in the State of Hockey? He turned down some jobs for various reasons, but his sons are grown up and if he wants to have any other children / grandchildren grow up in a hockey market how much better can there be outside of Canada than to be in Minnesota? MY PICK: I must admit I am a Ted Nolan fan, and he is a guy with experience as an NHL head coach and he has demonstrated he can be a guy who can get a lot out of an inferior roster; sounds like a reasonable fit to me.
Dave Tippett (Phoenix Coyotes, Head Coach) – Perhaps one of the more interesting names tossed about is current Phoenix Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett. Tippett is a defensive-minded coach whose teams play a stifling style of the neutral zone trap. Two seasons in a row, Tippett got a team with barely above average talent into the playoffs. He spends his summers at his home in Northern Minnesota. It has been reported he has an out clause in his contract, so with all the turmoil off the ice would he consider making a jump to the far more stable Wild? MY PICK: I think when you consider the fact Dave Tippett joined the team amidst to the same level of turmoil two seasons ago, so I doubt he’d just leave now. If he did decide to leave I think he’d be a very strong candidate.
Wild Prospect (playoffs) rundown:
F – Mikael Granlund (HIFK Helsinki, Sm-Liiga) ~ 15GP 5G 11A = 16pts 4 PIM’s +2
It has been a fantastic post-season for the Wild’s most talented prospect, the youngster was one of the top scorers in the playoffs and helped lead HIFK Helsinki to a SmLiiga championship. Scoring at just over a point-per-game pace in the playoffs bodes well since Granlund had his share of injuries during the regular season but still ended up with a respectable 7 goals, 33 points in 36 games. Granlund had a single assist in the deciding game against the Espoo Blues. Without question the Wild will likely ask Granlund to come over to North America next season to see how well he fares in training camp. From there is anyone’s guess, but the hopes are high he can be the high end offensive drafted talent this team has lacked since the selection of Marian Gaborik at 3rd Overall in 2000.
F – Jere Sallinen (Espoo Blues, Sm-Liiga) ~ 11GP 1G 0A = 1pt 10 PIM’s +2
Granlund’s victory in the champion meant a loss for fellow Wild prospect Jere Sallinen. While Granlund is a go-to offensive talent for HIFK; Sallinen is more of a role player who must use energy and hard work to keep a spot with the Espoo Blues. Sallinen is a player more akin to an Eric Nystrom where many of his contributions will not show up on the scoresheet. The Espoo-native does not have great hands, but his effort is never a question and is the kind of player that drives opponents crazy because of his great determination and persistence. It is unsure whether the Wild are planning on inviting Sallinen to attend training camp, but it is always interesting to see how European prospects fare when placed on the smaller North American rinks playing a more physical brand of hockey. Sallinen likes to hit and it will be interesting to see if he keeps his edge going against faster and stronger players than he’s ever encountered in the Sm-Liiga.
F – Johan Larsson (Brynas, Eliteserien) ~ 5GP 0G 2A = 2pts 4 PIM’s -4
‘Mr. Grumpy’ as he’s known to his teammates is one of the hardest working players in the Eliteserien. His willingness to do whatever it takes to clear the zone, win a battle along the boards, or deliver a check is what sets him apart from anyone else. It is this fierce competitiveness that compelled the Wild to draft him while other players that were available may have had better statistics in their resume. Brynas leaned heavily on young players like Larsson, but their inexperience was exposed in the playoffs as they were ousted by eventual Eliteserien chamion Farjestad. The fact Larsson played the whole season in Sweden’s top league is a great indicator of just how mature Larsson’s game already is.
F – Mikko Lehtonen (Skelleftea AIK, Eliteserien) ~ 17GP 3G 4A = 7pts 2 PIM’s -1
If there is a disturbing trend that swirls about Mikko Lehtonen is that the playoffs do not seem to be a time that he plays his best hockey. In fact it was Lehtonen’s inability to really get much going offensively that hurt Skelleftea in the Championship against Farjestad. The lanky 6’4″ forward was the 2nd leading scorer in the Eliteserien throughout the regular season but was a major disappointment in the post-season for a 2nd year in a row. There have been speculation that Lehtonen really only wishes to give the Wild a try unless he’s given a spot on the roster as he has no interest in playing the AHL after having been in Boston’s affiliate in Providence for 2 seasons. Lehtonen does have some great puck skills and good mobility for a player of his size, he lost out to the numbers game in Beantown. While you can understand why he may not wish to report to the minors its a bit bold to declare your new team that its either my way or the highway.
F – Anthony Hamburg (Omaha Lancers, USHL) ~ 1GP 0G 0A = 0pts 0 PIM’s -1
It has been an abysmal year for the late Wild draft choice; having to leave Colgate after not earning much in the way of playing time. Part of his struggles stemmed from being injured and his attempt to play through it which is admirable of any athlete to attempt likely had a strong effect on his on-ice production. After a discussion with his coach; it was mutually agreed to return to the USHL was in the best interests of both parties and at this point he is still committed to playing at Colgate. Hamburg did not return to the USHL and tear it up; scoring roughly the same amount of points he did in the previous season as Omaha was positioning itself for the playoffs. So far Hamburg has been a complete non-factor for the Lancers as they trail 1-0 in their semi-final series to Sioux Falls. It is not looking good for the Phoenix, Arizona-native’s professional hockey career aspirations.
LW – Brett Bulmer (Kelowna Rockets, WHL) ~ 10GP 4G 2A = 6pts 4 PIM’s -1
It was a season of ups and downs for the physically gifted prospect. A late-season injury knocked Bulmer out of the lineup and he had a hard time getting back on track offensively. Bulmer’s points were registered in about 4 of the games he played in and that sort of matched the way his regular season went. Consistency is obviously the biggest issue he deals with. Bulmer was used more as a role player in their series against Portland where the Rockets were defeated in six games. He still has lots of potential; but in many ways he’s still trying to establish the best parts of his game while weeding out the traits that negate his potential like taking foolish penalties. It will be interesting to see how well he does at the team’s prospect camp this summer. The team certainly has a lot of faith in Bulmer’s abilities still since they signed the lanky winger to a 3-year entry level contract on Thursday.
G – Darcy Kuemper (Red Deer Rebels, WHL) ~ 7GP (4-3) 2.68GAA .896%SP
It was feast or famine for the 2010-11 WHL Goaltender of the year, as Kuemper witnessed the wheels fall off his season as he was embarrassed and relegated to the press box after 3 disastrous games to Medicine Hat. Kuemper had a wonderful regular season and first series of the playoffs but it really came apart after back to back starts where he gave up 5 goals on just 17 shots each time. Was it simply a matter of succumbing to nerves or just being over matched by the high-powered Tigers is hard to say; but it was an ugly end to what was a pretty impressive season.
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