Wild Not Renewing Contract Of President & GM Risebrough

Risebrough Has Been Under Scrutiny From Media, Fans

NEXT UP: The STAR TRIBUNE's Russo notes Leipold will have "no shortage of candidates" for the GM position. Former NHL coach & GM Pat Quinn "hopes to talk to the Wild owner in the coming days," while former Blue Jackets President & GM Doug MacLean is "extremely interested." Sources also said that former Lightning GM Jay Feaster "already contacted Leipold." A source also said that Leipold "had a phone conversation Wednesday with Predators GM David Poile" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/17). In Nashville, John Glennon reports Poile could not be reached for comment, but a Predators spokesperson Thursday said Poile was "committed to Nashville." A previous report indicated there was a provision in the Predators ownership's purchase agreement prohibiting Leipold, the former Predators Owner, from "having any conversations with Poile 'regarding any future employment or offer, directly or indirectly, to Mr. Poile (regarding) any employment opportunity'" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 4/17). Meanwhile, ESPN.com's E.J. Hradek wrote Risebrough, who formerly served as Flames GM, will "likely turn up in another organization somewhere down the road." Hradek: "I don't think he'll get a third crack at the manager's chair, though. I don't believe he has done enough to merit another chance" (ESPN.com, 4/16).

RIGHT MOVE? In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman writes the "johnny-come-lately owner of the Wild must not be informed of all the great things that Risebrough did, taking over an expansion club and making it pretty competitive from the start." The organization "drafted well, kept the payroll down before the NHL salary cap was put in place and was considered the league's model franchise." Hartman adds Leipold in making the announcement "didn't have the courage to face the media and call a news conference to announce his decision to fire one of the most popular sports executives in my long media career, instead staging a conference call" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/17).

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