Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold (left) introduces Chuck Fletcher as the team's new general manager Friday.
The Minnesota Wild introduced Chuck Fletcher as the new general manager of the NHL franchise Friday.
Fletcher stated in the press conference that the Wild will play the similar aggressive, physcal style play the Pittsburgh Penguins use. That style has taken the Penguins to within two wins of consecutive Stanley Cup final appearances.
The 42-year-old Harvard grad was the Penguins assistand general manager for the past three seasons.
In order to get that system in place, Fletcher now has to bring in a coach that enforces that style. I put in my two cents shortly after the regular season ended - prior to the news that former general manager Doug Risebrough would not return - with a candidate that fits this profile. If you are wondering about the Penguins assistant coaches, I don't think either is ready for a head coaching job.
Not only does the coach need to fit this style, but the players do as well. The Wild currently have players on the roster that will excel in this system. Benoit Pouliot and Pierre-Marc Bouchard especially would flourish with a more aggressive style.
Fletcher is getting started immediately and the first step he needs to take is to get his head coach selected. After that he can start to mold the roster into a title contender.
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