 |
 |
 |
|
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- New Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold held his breath while coach Jacques Lemaire weighed his hunger to return against a desire to retire.
| Advertisement |
|||
| |||
As for Doug Risebrough? Leipold didn't sound at all worried about losing his general manager, quashing curiosity whether Risebrough would listen if the once-proud Toronto Maple Leafs made a pitch for him to fill their GM vacancy.
Or from anybody else, for that matter.
"This is the marquee market," Leipold said.
Leipold, who sold the Nashville Predators last year and returned to the NHL ownership ranks by buying the Wild in a $260 million sale that closed last month, spoke proudly of the stability and success Minnesota has enjoyed since entering the league in 2000.
Referring to the rest of the league, he said, "They ought to be worried that we're not going out and getting their coaches and general managers. This is where you want to be."
In an interview in his office at the Wild's headquarters in St. Paul, Leipold said he has "never" had a discussion with Risebrough about his status.
"And I don't think there would be," Leipold said.
After Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs in April, Risebrough said he was excited about Leipold's arrival and "arguably might have the best job in hockey."
Stressing his hands-off management style and faith in the hockey operations department to handle their responsibilities, Leipold looked relaxed and expressed excitement about the direction of the team now that Lemaire has decided to return.
"I called Jacques the other day to congratulate him and thank him for coming back," Leipold said. "I'm looking forward to being with him next year and hopefully the following year. He was so happy and happy with the decision."
This will be a busy summer for Risebrough and the front office, with 10 unrestricted free agents due off the roster of the reigning Northwest Division champions.
Front and center is left wing Marian Gaborik, who has one year left on his current contract, but is a candidate for either an extension or a trade.
Smoot 
