Before you read the following paragraphs, let me state for the record that I am fully behind Jacques Lemaire and the Wild coaching staff. In my estimation, the problems lie more directly with the management team, and Risebrough in particular.
The Colorado Avalanche recently decided to split with coach Joel Quinneville. By most accounts the guy knows how to coach; he spent many seasons sending overachieving Blues teams to the playoffs and even led the injury-ridden Avs to the postseason this year. However, in Colorado their standards are high. Winning one playoff series is not enough for Colorado...their goal is the Stanley Cup, and after a couple of seasons management and ownership JQ was not the guy to get it done.
Conversely here in Minnesota, Lemaire has management's complete blessing. Opening round losses the last 2 years? Not a big deal, according to DR. It's all part of the plan. The plan. I'm getting a bit sick and tired of hearing about how the Wild is developing a team that can contend for several years down the road. Hogwash. This team should be built to contend for the Cup next season, period. And if DR can't get Lemaire the players to get that done they both should go. The problem, of course, is that Lemaire and Risebrough's fates are interconnected. DR can't fire Lemaire because it would admit his own failings as a GM.
The Wild needs to raise their expectations and strive for the quick fix. Make smart decisions about PMB and Gaborik. If you don't believe they can help you win it then go in different directions. L00k the the Flyers, people. Last place to the Conference Finals overnight. It can be done here, and it can be done quickly, albeit not according DR's Plan.
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