Risebrough Dug His Own Grave

In 2000, I had a chance to interview Doug Risebrough on a radio show I hosted in Duluth, Minn. It was an interesting conversation, and it was a bit of an education. Frankly, I didn't know a lot about hockey then, and I certainly didn't know a thing about building an expansion franchise from the ground up.

Nearly nine years later, Risebrough finds himself unemployed, fired as Minnesota Wild president and general manager by club owner Craig Leipold. While I was shocked by the move, it was one that I knew needed to happen. Given multiple chances at redemption, Risebrough could only destroy his chance of returning.

Risebrough's arrogance shone brightly on Monday, at the press conference announcing head coach Jacques Lemaire's resignation.

"One of the things I regret as a manager not doing is managing the expectation a little bit."

Ouch. No offense to non-traditional markets, but this isn't Tampa or Atlanta, where fans might buy a hill of beans when it comes to the local hockey team. This is Minnesota. The State of Hockey. Every Wild game here has been sold out, and there's a waiting list for season tickets long enough to practically fill the building a second time.

For crying out loud, fans in this state pack the XCel Energy Center for high school and college games during the month of March, and you're not going to fool these people into believing a team stacked with grinders and role players is a true contender for anything but a lottery pick.

As the Star Tribune's Michael Russo notes, it's just unacceptable for Risebrough to say something like that.

Watch Edmonton's Steve Tambellini at the Craig MacTavish press conference. He was angry, he raised expectations, he said everything needed to change, including evaluating the way things are done in the front office.

Risebrough? Expectations were too high. The fans need to be more patient. The media, especially that idiot at the Strib, doesn't know what he's talking about.

It is unacceptable to miss the playoffs. It is unacceptable to continue a philosophy where you don't mind losing quality assets for nothing. It is unacceptable to not come to the rescue at the trade deadline when there are deals to be made.

As it turned out, Risebrough could have said anything he wanted at that press conference, because he was an unknowing lame duck. Leipold told the media Thursday that he made the decision a month or so ago, but waited so he wouldn't distract the team during their feeble push for a playoff spot.

Risebrough simply took the shovel to the dirt himself. He traded too many draft picks and prospects (guys like Patrick O'Sullivan and Ryan Jones) for players who didn't get the job done. He wasted too many draft picks on guys who had virtually no chance of being a factor long-term for the team. Watching first-round picks

The organization - whether intentionally or not - seemed to develop a policy against drafting Minnesota players, or players who were in college hockey. It's not that these guys will save your franchise, but with so many NHL players going the college route, it's tough to defend the Wild's inability to tap this growing resource. That Minnesota has five Division I programs within its borders, two of whom were among the final eight in this year's national tournament, makes it all the more inexcusable.

The Red Wings have proven that you don't need college players to be successful (looking at their media guide, it appears Brett Lebda, Brian Rafalski, and Chris Chelios are the only regulars who played in college), but the Red Wings also have proven they can draft anyone they want, sign anyone they want, and still be highly successful.

When the Wild find a pipeline that can be for them what Sweden is for the Red Wings, it will be perfectly fine for them to ignore a talent pool that is right under their noses.

Leipold also said he would hire the general manager and then get out of the way.

Leipold said the new GM will hire the coach, determine the Wild's style of play and assess the remaining members of the front office and scouting department. "He'll have the freedom and flexibility to build his own organization," Leipold said.

This is encouraging. Leipold has yet to strike as the meddling type, and this statement has to help make Minnesota an attractive destination for a lot of executives.

I never celebrate when people lose their jobs. I don't care how much money they made or how much money they have. It's not good to hear the words "You're fired", "We're going in a different direction", or "We're eliminating your position".

However, it's hard not to look at this as a positive for the Minnesota Wild. A new voice, a new philosophy, and a new direction are coming. With any luck, that direction will be "forward".