Fletcher had a mostly successful nine-year run with the Wild before being fired after last seasongetty images
In Philadelphia, Sam Carchidi notes the Flyers have named former Wild GM Chuck Fletcher their new GM "exactly a week after Ron Hextall was stunningly fired." Fletcher said that he "was in no rush to name an assistant GM to replace the fired Chris Pryor." Blue Jackets Assistant GM Bill Zito was "believed to be the runner-up to Fletcher" for the Flyers GM role. Fletcher had a "mostly successful nine-year run" with the Wild before "being fired after the team’s first-round playoff exit last season." This year, he "was an adviser with the Devils, working for GM Ray Shero." Comcast President, Chair & CEO Dave Scott, whose company owns the Flyers, said that Fletcher "was selected after a 'rigorous review' of candidates" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/4).
INTERNATIONAL DELIGHT: In DC, Steven Goff reports DC United is "exploring opportunities to conduct a portion of training camp" outside the U.S. in early '19, hoping to "capitalize on Wayne Rooney’s worldwide fame." Possible destinations "include China, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia." DC United typically "conducts training camp at warm-weather U.S. locations, such as Florida’s west coast, Orlando, Austin and Charleston, S.C." (WASHINGTON POST, 12/2).
HAD TO DO IT? In Seattle, Matt Calkins writes Mariners Exec VP & GM Jerry Dipoto was not "wrong in decimating this roster" after several recent moves have signaled a team rebuild is on the way. Calkins: "I’m not suggesting the smart move would have been to give 2019 a genuine try after an 89-win season." If building a "legitimate World Series contender in the next few years is the goal, then this obliteration was the only option." However, as a fan, a "teardown is kind of like signing up for a marathon -- it seems like a good idea, but you’ll wish you were dead by mile 21" (SEATTLE TIMES, 12/4).
