Tony Dean: WildHBcommunity: Taking Inventory on What Comes Next for Fletcher WildHBcommunity: Taking Inventory on What Comes Next for Fletcher

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.

How has Haula looked from a shutdown/defensive standpoint this year? I see he is having his struggles on the offensive end, but a lot of Wild players are in the same boat. So maybe this isn't exactly him having an off year offensively, so much as it is just a team slump where the majority of forwards are stuck in an extended slump.

How has Haula looked from a shutdown/defensive standpoint this year? I see he is having his struggles on the offensive end, but a lot of Wild players are in the same boat. So maybe this isn't exactly him having an off year offensively, so much as it is just a team slump where the majority of forwards are stuck in an extended slump.
- D-UNIT-

The center play as a whole on the team this year has been terrible. Haula is just one of a whole group of mediocre centers.

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

Nice write up

Man I wish the canucks could get Granlund

Nice write up

Man I wish the canucks could get Granlund
- Bieksa#3

We could use a goalie and #1 center, but I don't think Granny will be getting either of those in a trade

We could use a goalie and #1 center, but I don't think Granny will be getting either of those in a trade
- SotaPopinski

Lack and Hansen. Lack would probably be your #1 a d Hansen is a fantastic 3rd line winger

Lack and Hansen. Lack would probably be your #1 a d Hansen is a fantastic 3rd line winger
- Bieksa#3

So is Granlund so it's a wash

So is Granlund so it's a wash
- mnhockeyguy

Given his age and upside, I'd do it.

We could use a goalie and #1 center, but I don't think Granny will be getting either of those in a trade
- SotaPopinski

Agreed on both. Granlund, Coyle and a first might get us a #1 center though... however I think the Wild might be better off seeing what they truly have in Graovac next season. Either way, this team needs center help in the worst way!

Did Backstrom get injured (hernia?) before or after he signed his current contract? The year prior he had a great season (led the league in wins) during the strike shortened season. It could have had some bearing as to his value during contract negotiations.

Don't you think Folin should be retained? He's proven to me he'd be a great bottom pairing dman who when needed (injuries etc.) has the skill to slot into anyones spot without much of a drop in play.

Lack and Hansen. Lack would probably be your #1 a d Hansen is a fantastic 3rd line winger
- Bieksa#3

I know Granlund isn't going to bring back top end talent, but as mnhockey guy mentioned, him plus another piece or two could. If the Wild ever trade Granlund, a centerman better be coming back in the deal because after this season it is likely that Koivu will no longer be on the roster. The center situation scares me more than anything.

I know Granlund isn't going to bring back top end talent, but as mnhockey guy mentioned, him plus another piece or two could. If the Wild ever trade Granlund, a centerman better be coming back in the deal because after this season it is likely that Koivu will no longer be on the roster. The center situation scares me more than anything.
- SotaPopinski

Mikko expires after this yr?

Mikko expires after this yr?
- Bieksa#3

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.

Did Backstrom get injured (hernia?) before or after he signed his current contract? The year prior he had a great season (led the league in wins) during the strike shortened season. It could have had some bearing as to his value during contract negotiations.

Don't you think Folin should be retained? He's proven to me he'd be a great bottom pairing dman who when needed (injuries etc.) has the skill to slot into anyones spot without much of a drop in play.
- cag58

I would keep Folin and use Spurgeon as a trade chip! Backstrom was signed last season but I don't remember when his injury occured... I'd imagine it was probably after or Fletcher probably wouldn't have given him that contract...

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

How much is Minny gonna eat. I'm a massive koivu fan but he isn't a 6.5 mill player anymore.

Did Backstrom get injured (hernia?) before or after he signed his current contract? The year prior he had a great season (led the league in wins) during the strike shortened season. It could have had some bearing as to his value during contract negotiations.

Don't you think Folin should be retained? He's proven to me he'd be a great bottom pairing dman who when needed (injuries etc.) has the skill to slot into anyones spot without much of a drop in play.
- cag58

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.

Mikko expires after this yr?
- Bieksa#3

Not until '18

So he will have to be traded with salary retained or packaged with a high pick and/or prospect to get anything of significance in return. Him and Vanek are clearly not fits for what Yeo is trying to implement.

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

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

How much is Minny gonna eat. I'm a massive koivu fan but he isn't a 6.5 mill player anymore.
- Bieksa#3

Ugh, I don't even want to know

Ugh, I don't even want to know
- SotaPopinski

Let me ask you this. Trade mikko while retaining 2 mill. Return being a 2nd. Then trade for a 6 mill player and loosing significant assets to do so. Doesn't sound like a good plan IMO.

Let me ask you this. Trade mikko while retaining 2 mill. Return being a 2nd. Then trade for a 6 mill player and loosing significant assets to do so. Doesn't sound like a good plan IMO.
- Bieksa#3

What are you asking here?

I realize Mikko may end up playing out his contract here. I just hope Fletch can somehow unload him and in doing so it makes the team better in the long run. But maybe that is me being unrealistic. Just not a fan of the guy.

How much is Minny gonna eat. I'm a massive koivu fan but he isn't a 6.5 mill player anymore.
- Bieksa#3

I think its only about a mil in cap relief, but right now he's blocking development and the team is in dire need of a culture change!

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

I think if they first expose him to waivers, then they can assign him to Iowa.

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

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.