WILD name Richards head coach

[langway05]

WILD NAME RICHARDS HEAD COACH compliments of tsn.ca/nhl

New Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher has wasted no time putting his stamp on the team by hiring Todd Richards as the Wild's new head coach.

The team has called a 1pm et press conference for Tuesday to announce their new bench boss.

Richards has a history with Fletcher who hired him to coach the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate Scranton-Wilkes/Barre in 2006. The 43-year old Richards spent last season as an assistant for the San Jose Sharks under Todd McLellan.

Sources have also told TSN that Wild assistant general manager Tom Lynn has been let go.

 

[kami]

Well that was certainly quick Mr. Fletcher. Don't know too much about Richards but lets hope he doesn't throw all the defence out the window, we wouldn't want Backstrom to get shelled

 

[wildfan1833]

Only time will tell

 

[fly4apuckguy]

I know basically nothing about this guy, but I do like that NHL teams are finally going to some new blood for their coaching ranks.

It sure didn't hurt the Penguins.

 

[VNieminen]

Richards was originally the Pens' guy to replace Therrien, but SJ signed him away last summer. Bylsma seems to be doing fine as a back-up plan, though.

 

[Danno79]

It is really nice to have a Minnesota native on board. I got the feeling that Lemaire and Risebrough didn't care for American-born players.

-Dan

On a side note, good riddance to Tom Lynn. As far as I am concerned he was just a clone of Doug Risebrough.

 

[hoffa40]

I think the Minnesota fans will be happy with Richards.

I think he did a great job as head coach of the WBS Penguins and was sorry to see him leave after only two seasons. His record was 98-49 in those two years with an appearance in the Calder Cup finals. Dan Bylsma was his assistant coach so that my give you some indication of what this guy is about.

 

[kami]

I don't care who coaches the team, well I do, but Fletcher needs to get some players that can score if they want to go anywhere next year.

 

[pmc336699]

It is really nice to have a Minnesota native on board. I got the feeling that Lemaire and Risebrough didn't care for American-born players.

-Dan

On a side note, good riddance to Tom Lynn. As far as I am concerned he was just a clone of Doug Risebrough.

I agree whole heartedly with this post, except the American-born players part. JL was pretty high on Brian Rolston during his time here.

Now let's see what Fletch can do at the draft. I'm hoping for a couple of trades soon, as well.

 

[fly4apuckguy]

My inside source has told me that the Wild will be "loosening the reigns" on their defencemen this year, signalling a fairly major change in philosophies. (That is a direct quote, btw.)

Before you all get worried, Wild fans, know that I think you will be surprised by the output, but not frightened - it'll still be sound defensive hockey, but with a little more room for individuality out there.

In other words, Nick is headed for an 80 point season....

 

[fly4apuckguy]

I don't care who coaches the team, well I do, but Fletcher needs to get some players that can score if they want to go anywhere next year.

I think you might be surprised to find out how many players can score when the coach does not always want a 1-0 victory, but will accept a 5-3 win as well.