[Rattler]

from Kevin Allen of USA TODAY,

...Fletcher has sent a message to players and fans that he embraces the repairman function of his job.




Sure, every GM is trying to draft and plan for future success, but this is the salary cap era and there is no patience for five-year rebuilding plans. And there shouldn’t be, not when two-thirds of NHL teams are spending roughly the same amount of money for their rosters. You have to change up your roster on the fly. The mandate in the salary cap era is to rebuild and repair at the same time.




That’s why I like that Fletcher is showing aggressiveness in Minnesota. He succeeded Doug Risebrough, a true gentleman, highly respected around the league, but conservative in his approach to managing a team.




When Risebrough was in charge, it seemed as if the franchise never was able to escape the expansion team mentality. The Wild always seemed to be looking to be competitive up the road, instead of today.

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[cityhockeyfever]

The problem with the Wild has been crystal clear from day one. With Jacques Lemaire running the bench with HIS system, the hockey operations staff led by Doug Risebrough obviously had brought in the best players to suit LEMAIRE'S style of play. We know that was a defense-first approach.

Now, it's obviously a transition that will take some time. Weeding out the deadwood, getting more room under the salary cap and attracting free agents or players at the trade deadline to upgrade their roster. While Martin Havlat has been a disappointment so far, he doesn't spell Marian Gaborik. Then again, very few in the NHL do. While most elite players are locked up to long term deals with their current teams, there is a need for a dynamic scorer to build around. Is Havlat that player? Hard to say, but he needs help.

The immediate future is a question mark. Minnesota is going to struggle to make the playoffs again considering that they are deficient offensively and their conference is quite competitive. We will have to see where the Wild stands at the trade deadline and go from there.

[Akinzz]

cityhockeyfever, on Dec 28 2009, 08:27 PM, said:

The problem with the Wild has been crystal clear from day one. With Jacques Lemaire running the bench with HIS system, the hockey operations staff led by Doug Risebrough obviously had brought in the best players to suit LEMAIRE'S style of play. We know that was a defense-first approach.

Now, it's obviously a transition that will take some time. Weeding out the deadwood, getting more room under the salary cap and attracting free agents or players at the trade deadline to upgrade their roster. While Martin Havlat has been a disappointment so far, he doesn't spell Marian Gaborik. Then again, very few in the NHL do. While most elite players are locked up to long term deals with their current teams, there is a need for a dynamic scorer to build around. Is Havlat that player? Hard to say, but he needs help.

The immediate future is a question mark. Minnesota is going to struggle to make the playoffs again considering that they are deficient offensively and their conference is quite competitive. We will have to see where the Wild stands at the trade deadline and go from there.

I agree with you totally, except lately the wild have been finding the back of the net, but the wild in the beginning of the season, that was a completely different team. Only time will tell if we can keep this momentum going.