Wild week in Minnesota

In less than a week, the Minnesota Wild's organization was flipped around. The only coach in club history, Jacques Lemaire, resigned earlier in the week, and then the team told the only GM in club history, Doug Risebrough, that his contract would not be renewed for next year. The Wild have had that tandem working together for a decade with a fair amount of success: a run to the conference finals in 2003, a team that has been competitive almost every season, and a strong developmental system that has produced Marian Gaborik, Nicklas Backstrom, and Brent Burns, among others. So the question is whether the Wild made the right decision in letting Risebrough go; the initial answer seems to be that they did. With Lemaire and his stifling defensive style moving on, it seems to be a natural time for a shift in philosophy in Minnesota, and that meant that Risebrough had to go. The Wild should look at bringing in a GM and coach who will work on the offense, especially with Marian Gaborik debating his future. New owner Craig Leipold has said that he has candidates with experience (like Pat Quinn) on his list, as well as new faces. I think he should look for a newer face for the GM, but hire someone with experience as the coach: perhaps the maligned Paul Maurice, who is known for his offensive schemes and working with role players. I think the Wild will respond well to the change, and that they will be back on top of the division as soon as next year, especially with the problems in Edmonton, Calgary, and Colorado.