Next GM, Injury News

The question now after Craig Leipold "didn't renew" Doug Risebrough's contract is: Who will be the Minnesota Wild's general manager? Michael Russo threw out some names which includes Pat Quinn, Doug MacLean, Jay Feaster, Rick Dudley, Neil Smith, Pierre McGuire, Chuck Fletcher, Ron Hextall and Peter Chiarelli. And...uh...Jacques Lemaire has already told Russo that he's not intereseted in being the GM. Whoever it is will have to make a lot of major decisions this offseason, and they'll be important ones, starting with who will be the next head coach.

News on other fronts:
From Russo's article:

Backstrom said Thursday he might need surgery.

"I saw a doctor today, and the team doctors, and we have to decide now in a couple days if I need surgery," Backstrom said. "I need to get other opinions, and also from back home in Finland. It's tough for me because everything's in English, so I need someone to translate to me so I know exactly what's going on."

Backstrom said he hoped to talk to Gaborik so he can see his hip specialist, Marc Philippon of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo. Backstrom said the recovery from surgery "is speculated, but in my mind, I'll be ready by the start of the season."

Isn't that just great :( ... Andrew Brunette had successful reconstructive right knee surgery, and Derek Boogaard will have surgery on his right shoulder on Tuesday.

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Risebrough Fired by Leipold

Via Russo and NHL.com:

Minnesota Wild Owner, Craig Leipold, announced today that the organization will not renew the contract of President and General Manager, Doug Risebrough, beyond the 2008-2009 season.

"The entire Minnesota Wild organization is forever indebted to Doug for his substantial efforts in establishing this franchise's solid foundation and winning tradition," said Leipold. "The positive impact of Doug's service will be felt for many years to come. We wish Doug the very best."

The search for a new General Manager will begin immediately. The first order of business for the incoming General Manager will be to select the team's next Head Coach.

Until a replacement is found, Assistant General Manager Tom Lynn, will be acting-General Manager.

From Craig Leipold:

Wild fans,

I wanted to personally be the one to tell you of my very difficult decision not to renew Doug Risebrough’s contract beyond the 2008-2009 season. I have agonized over this decision for some time now, but ultimately, I reached the conclusion that change was in order.

I cannot begin to thank Doug enough for all that he has done for this organization over the past nine years. When he arrived he brought instant credibility, expertise and extraordinary work ethic to an expansion franchise in desperate need of those things. He then worked tirelessly to build the Minnesota Wild into one of the premier franchises in the NHL. So much of our success – on and off the ice – is directly attributable to Doug’s leadership and his legacy will remain evident for years to come in the aura of success and winning tradition that defines this place. I know that you’ll join me in wishing Doug and his family the very best.

The search for a new General Manager will begin immediately. The first order of business for the incoming General Manager will be to select the next Head Coach.

On behalf of our entire organization, we thank Wild fans for the incredible support you’ve given us.

Craig Leipold

It's something that Wild fans have been calling for since the beginning of the season, and with the disappointment of not making the playoffs, it doesn't come as a shocker...but it is. The Wild are now a team without a GM and a head coach, and with a team that was already facing a lot of questions going into the offseason, the main question will now be...

Who will be the next GM of the Minnesota Wild?

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