Speculation had been floating around for a while. A year ago, Minnesota Wild coach Jacques Lemaire decided to return, but only after consulting with general manager Doug Risebrough. He admitted he wanted Risebrough to tell him he could still coach, and it was an odd type of reassurance for a coach of Lemaire's stature to seek.After the Wild closed out their season with a 6-3 win over Columbus Saturday, Lemaire announced he was stepping down as Wild coach.
The Wild won their last three, but were eliminated from the playoffs Friday when Anaheim beat Dallas. In winning the last two on back-to-back nights, Minnesota scored 14 goals, easily the most they've scored in consecutive games this season.
The team, finally healthy, seemed to respond well to Lemaire's coaching. The problem was how they responded when they weren't healthy. Inconsistent efforts and generally poor offense killed the Wild this season. They missed Marian Gaborik for too many games, and just didn't have anyone else who could duplicate Gaborik as an offensive weapon. Such things happen when you load a team up with role players and take away their only star.
If Gaborik doesn't return, the Wild are in serious trouble moving forward. The saving grace might be rumors over the years that Gaborik didn't always see eye-to-eye with Lemaire. Another factor could be the rough economy. With the possibility of a falling salary cap for 2010, teams may be reluctant to commit long-term dollars to free agents this summer, especially free agents with Gaborik's history of injury. A solid one-year offer to Gaborik, with a new coach in tow, could keep him in Minnesota after all.
The difference in the team's play after he finally returned in late March was eye-popping. They still didn't win enough games, or score enough goals, but they finally had a guy they could put on the ice when they needed a goal, and he would give them a real chance of scoring one.
As for Lemaire, he's 63 and could be done coaching for good. However, he left the door open for a return.
"I think it's time for the players to get a new coach and myself look at other stuff."I'll say it: I don't see Bob Gainey staying on as Montreal coach once they're out of the playoffs. Lemaire has roots there and would be a great hire for a team looking to win a championship. Plus, the Canadiens have a ton of free agents this off-season, giving them a chance to remake a team that can play a tighter defensive style like Lemaire would probably want.
With you coach elsewhere? "I'll see. It's exciting. It's an exciting job. I was behind the bench there just before the game there, and I felt I was getting really tight because it's something I've done for 15 years and I like it and I have to go."
Lemaire coached the Wild for all eight seasons they've been in the NHL. He won 293 games with Minnesota, and he has 534 wins in 15 seasons as an NHL coach. If he wants to coach next year or any time in the future, he'll find work.
The Wild are left to pick up the pieces. The only reason they were in this playoff race was Lemaire's work. Unless they can find some players who can get the offense going, it's going to be a rough go in the short-term future for this franchise.
