Truth & Rumors > NHL
Did Gaborik influence GM's firing?
A little birdie says Thursday's firing of Doug Risebrough as president-general manager of the Wild was in part because of Risebrough's inability to sign Marian Gaborik. Wild owner Craig Leipold denied that was a factor. Leipold, during nine years as owner of the Nashville Predators, never had a player as young and skilled as Gaborik, who, if healthy, is a franchise player. It was clear Gaborik did not want to play for recently resigned coach Jacques Lemaire in his defensive trap style. It was also clear there was a strained relationship between Risebrough and Gaborik's agent, Ron Salcer. Leipold wants to keep Gaborik, who can become a free agent on July 1. The cost: Lemaire and Risebrough. At the end of the day, this was a deal about Gaborik and retaining the Wild's season-ticket base with more entertaining hockey.
Web's Best Blogs
-
FANIQ
Broncos QB Kyle Orton entrenched as team's starter
-
Hugging Harold Reynolds
Tark the Shark
Photo: reviewjournal.com Las Vegas Review-Journal : "Basketball academy co-director,…
-
Free Darko
While You Were Sleeping II: The Free Darko EVERY GAME PREVIEW
Stub Hub
The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!
Truth & Rumors
MOST POPULAR
-
1
Meeting with fans backfires on Browns owner
- Views
- 19002
- Comments
- 846
-
2
Canseco wants to fight A-Rod
- Views
- 30928
- Comments
- 188
-
3
Yankees ace recruiting LeBron to Knicks
- Views
- 15498
- Comments
- 75
-
4
Can Red Sox re-sign Bay?
- Views
- 5285
- Comments
- 67
-
5
Brady denies influencing officials
- Views
- 4851
- Comments
- 60
Most Active Users
Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns
Message Boards
-
NCAAF > General NCAAF
CFB Game Day 11/7/2009
- Views
- 259
- Replies
- 105
-
MMA > General MMA
What happens if Fedor loses?
- Views
- 197
- Replies
- 63
-
NCAAF > General NCAAF
Rivalries/hated teams
- Views
- 197
- Replies
- 21




Damaris Lewis
Deanna Clover

Comments (10) Add A Comment
I would imagine the lack of playoff success in the lengthy tenures of Lemaire and Riseborough influenced Leipold's decision. And if I had to choose between Gabs and the current management team, I would go with Gabs as well.
Saint13
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (22)
How about the Wild just needed a change.
LGP: Stanley Cup…
Six Burgh, PA
Total Comments (9095)
I think it was simply a good time for a regime change. Rejuvenate the organization. Minnesota has played a defensive style that doesn't fit Gaborik's strengths. They have one of the top goalies locked up for a bunch of years. Bring in an uptempo philosopy to play to the strengths of Gaborik, Koivu, Bouchard. The teams knows how to play team defense. A change needed to be made and it was. Lemaire is a Hall of Famer with 11 total Cups & Risebrough 6 total Cups. They are good hockey people. Just a needed change
BauerStar33
Quincy , MA
Total Comments (459)
wait so a team missed the playoffs and the GM and Coach were let go ... NO WAY
t-murder
West Chester , PA
Total Comments (300)
That doesn't always happen. It only happens when the team is expected to make the playoffs.
Anyways. The firing of Lemaire alone will work wonders for this franchise. Install an agressive offensive minded coach, and you're off to the races in Minnesota.
MoReeselovestheSENS
Ottawa, ON
Total Comments (756)
Lemaire wasn't fired you moron! He chose to move on. Some people's kids, ugh.
mngreatone
Hopkins , MN
Total Comments (1)
I say no. That Leipold, he have one thick skull. Not listen to anyone, ever.
Long Wang
Total Comments (596)
Minnesota's franchise has shown a complete lack of class and understanding of hockey in the firing of their GM. Under this GM and Lemaire they took very, very mediocre and hardly-talented team to the playoffs, and very nearly a Cup Finals.
Now they're going to completely change their entire philosophy because their talent doesn't feel showcased enough and ignorant hockey fans can have their head on a pike. They're going to lose Gaborik anyway and they have very little talent left and the remnants of a trap system... smart thinking and typical of MN decision-making.
Maybe they could trade for Herschel Walker, celebrate on a cocktail cruise on Lake Minnetonka, and do some gambling-hot tub action.
Minisoda Connection
Total Comments (98)
Parrothead34 you are a birdbrain...stay in cali...leave real hockey to us.
Wildfan81
Saint Paul , MN
Total Comments (2)
"Under this GM and Lemaire they took very, very mediocre and hardly-talented team to the playoffs"
That comment alone is an indictment of the former GM's draft/trade philosophy and ability. As a season ticket holder, I am looking forward to this change so I no longer have to watch very, very mediocre players.
MNhockeydoc
Total Comments (1)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.