Backstrom injured his hernia during the strike shortened season, prior to the playoffs. He was then re-signed that offseason... I'm fairly confident. He has always been an average to slightly above average goalie since signing with the Wild, but Fletcher did jump the gun in giving him that contract, imo. 2 years max would have been nice, all while looking for his next #1 goalie. Unless they were still hopefull of Harding being that guy, but wasn't his MS diagnosis public knowledge by then??
I agree completely with your take on Folin. He hasn't done much to make me think he is going to be great, but I rarely notice him make too many mistakes. Plus he has brought a little bit of a chippy aspect to his game which is always nice to see.
- SotaPopinski

I agree, that extra year to what simply should have been 2 years hurts, if he did it because he's been a good soldier then that alone is troublesome, that type of thinking can't even be entertained in this era.

I've been impressed by Folin to feel with a year behind him he'll be a superior 3rd pairing then what we've been using. I could see an experiment with a Folin + Dumba 3rd pairing. Goalies having to deal with two booming shots from the point.

Little known fact about Gaborik leaving, is that Fletcher barely communicated with him before he decided to leave. No contract was offered nor was the suggestion even made to sit down with Gaborik. I do have it on good authority that Gaborik was not opposed to resigning here, especially with a new coach and GM coming in. That one also falls squarely on Fletcher! In looking at his body of work I would personally grade it this way:

Trades - C. Some very good, some horrendous. Basically your average GM score.

Drafting Defense - A. His record at identifying and drafting quality D speaks for itself.

Drafting forwards - C-. The forward group he's drafted is thus far very underwhelming with the exception of Zucker, and it leaves the team in a precarious position going forward, especially at the all important center position.

FA signings - C. Parise and Suter and to a certain extent Vanek, basically came gift wrapped to him. The other signings, Cooke, Brodziak ect have been very underwhelming.

Handling of the goalie situation - F. Going into this season hoping that your starting goalie who has MS, would be able to stay healthy, and that your expensive oft injured backup would be serviceable to start if Harding was injured was a major miscalculation even with Kuemper in the mix.

Coach Hirings - D. Fletcher has had two swings at the pinata with hiring coaches and both times he's gone the rookie route. The 1st time it blew up in his face, and the second time has left much to be desired as well. Whether it's because he doesn't feel confident enough to have a large personality/experienced coach behind the bench, or the team just didn't want to pony up for one, the coaching decisions have been poor.

All in all I'd give him a C-/D grade. Does that warrent a 3rd swing at hiring a head coach and going through a new and very deep draft? I'd say no, but it's up to Leopold who isn't known for his patience, to decide.
- mnhockeyguy

My recollection is that Gaboriks agent had already written the Wild off before it was even announced that Lamaire would not be returning and that furthermore attempts to talk contract with him or his agent were ignored. Which might explain a shortened number of attempts to talk him out of leaving.

Russo has already reported that Leipold is still supportive of Yeo and blames this seasons issues mostly on goaltending.

1. I wouldn't put all the blame on Fletcher as it really was DR responsibility to either trade him or work something out over the previous off season or during the season with his agent instead of leaving it up to the new GM to make a last minute decision on what was a complicated situation.

With his yearly injuries that you could set a watch to, he really was a pain in the ass, yes he was skilled, but was also Vanekesque in the lazy department, the only extended time that he showed any emotion was when Demitra was his line mate. Let's not pretend that Fletch would have been celebrated for signing that oft injured, pain in the ass to a mega contract.


2. I'm surprised that you don't feel that either Spurgeon or Folin were good signings.

I agree on some of your other evaluations, but people forget some of the really good things he's done given the hell he had to deal with as a rookie GM.
- cag58

I didn't say they weren't, which is why I gave him a C and not a worse grade.

My recollection is that Gaboriks agent had already written the Wild off before it was even announced that Lamaire would not be returning and that furthermore attempts to talk contract with him or his agent were ignored. Which might explain a shortened number of attempts to talk him out of leaving.

Russo has already reported that Leipold is still supportive of Yeo and blames this seasons issues mostly on goaltending.
- MnGump

What I wrote about the Gaborik situation comes from inside knowledge. Risebrough said time and time again that he had no problem letting FA's walk for nothing which is why he didn't attempt much of anything with him in season. His posturing cost the Wild dearly, compounded by Fletcher not even attempting to heal the breech.

What I wrote about the Gaborik situation comes from inside knowledge. Risebrough said time and time again that he had no problem letting FA's walk for nothing which is why he didn't attempt much of anything with him in season. His posturing cost the Wild dearly, compounded by Fletcher not even attempting to heal the breech.
- mnhockeyguy

Ok, well I don't want to doubt your claim or credibility, but apparently no other media outlets in the TC had your "inside" info. Including Russo who is always pretty much in the know... It was reported early and often that Gabby and his agent had sights on the East coast long before his last days in a Wild sweater.

Nice win tonight. Either wasn't all that impressed with Calgary or was extremely impressed with the play of the Wild props to Hiller though.

Nice win tonight. Either wasn't all that impressed with Calgary or was extremely impressed with the play of the Wild props to Hiller though.
- MnGump

Yeah Hiller was flat out amazing. Definitely not the Calgary team that had gotten off to such a great start, but the Wild played well for the most part tonight.

Both Goalies made some great stops. Especially Duby on the breakaway and he really was a wall at the end of the game.

I think Fletcher will force his hand, either accept a trade or play in Iowa ala Richards in LA. Most likely it will be the latter because his contract is horrendous.
- mnhockeyguy

Who's the new star center to take his role?

Who's the new star center to take his role?
- deslni01

Warren Peters

Warren Peters
- cag58

Haha well played I am really hoping next year Graovac can make the jump, would like to see what he can do up with the big club and on a decent line.

Warren Peters
- cag58

Well he's no Mattias Weinhandl..

Doesn't he have a nmc which would prevent that from happening?
- SotaPopinski

From what I could dig up, yes, he does.

In my search I came across an old blog from Russo breaking his contract down. Some good stuff in there that helps explain the dollars and term.

Ok, well I don't want to doubt your claim or credibility, but apparently no other media outlets in the TC had your "inside" info. Including Russo who is always pretty much in the know... It was reported early and often that Gabby and his agent had sights on the East coast long before his last days in a Wild sweater.
- MnGump

Actually Russo did say numerous times that Fletcher didn't make an offer to Gaborik and didn't even reach out to him fyi.

Warren Peters
- cag58

Koivu is a star center...?