Minnesota Wild Season Grades: The Brass

<u>Chuck Fletcher - General Manager</u>

Andrew: A

He got the two biggest free agents over the summer and added Pominville for two players that I don't think will be legit NHLers.

Tony: A-

Eric: A

Giles: A+

Dan: A-

For my first season of following the Wild, I feel like Fletcher is a great GM. He scored big this past season with the acquisitions of Parise and Suter, and they have both really paid off us. Despite Suter having a slow start with the Wild, he was a star defensemen for us, as he exploded before the halfway point of the season. Because of that, he was named one of the Norris trophy finalists. Furthermore, Harding also got nominated for the Masterton. If either Suter or Harding won their respective trophies (or if both of them won), it would be HUGE for Fletcher.

Aaron: A

After 4 seasons with GMCF I think we all know exactly what to expect. He's not afraid to pull the trigger on the big trade, he's not afraid to make a big splash in free agency, and the kids he and his staff have brought in through the entry draft are some of the top prospect talents in the league. Most importantly, Chuck Fletcher is everything HWSNBN was not, and a very refreshing change in the front office for the Minnesota Wild and their fans. Give this guy an big giant A with a 'Good Job!' smiley face sticker next to it.

<u>Mike Yeo - Head Coach</u>

Andrew: B-

He got them team to playoffs even with all the injuries, but I think he waited to long at time to change lines when the chemistry wasn't there.

Tony: C

Yeo is perhaps the hardest to evaluate in the organization. What we know: During a blistering March, the Wild were at a legitimate 3rd place in the Conference, overcoming a slow start to the season.They then slumped as hard as they had risen, falling to the very fringes of the playoff bubble, almost being ruined by a humiliating loss against edmonton, a team they ostensibly shouldn't have lost 6-1 to. This cost the Wild the opportunity to face a vulnerable Anaheim and Vancouver in the first round, instead of playing the best team in hockey. While a playoff appearance and win are certainly a step up from years past, this team demonstrated that they were, at the very, very least, a corresponding step up from years' past. Yeo gets some credit for getting the Wild into the playoffs, but it comes with the caveat that A) This team performed to the minimum standards of what should have been deemed "acceptable", and B) This is two years in a row where an impressive stretch by the Wild has been followed by a playoff-threatening streak of losing, with few signs of pulling from a total tailspin. That is concerning. C

Eric: B-

The slow start can be put on the fact there was a large roster turnover, and just one week of training camp. He righted the ship, and got the team on the winning track. Then injuries took over (Cullen, Heatley, Pominville all missed time in April and May), and the team struggled while trying to find the right line combinations, which lead to the cold finish.

He managed his rookies well, in comparison to how other teams use them. He had the kids play third line or higher (Except that one time jason Zucker played on the fourth line before being demoted), giving them valuable experience.

Like the kids, Mike Yeo is still learning too. This year was very valuable to him too. It got dicey at times this year, but he did what he needed to, and got this squad into the playoffs.

The bench boss takes home a solid B

Dan: B

Everyone ripped hard on Yeo this year and many thought he should be fired. Think again! For being his second season coaching the Wild, I have to say that he did something right, especially since he finally got the Wild to the playoffs again for the first time since '08. Sure, he may have switched the lines up a ton, but that was because he was trying to see who played well with who. While I though it got annoying at times, it was for the better of the team. I feel like Yeo will become an even better coach this next season.

Aaron: F

Chuck gave him the tools, made the trades, and he couldn't win the cup in a lockout shortened season with no training camp and a handful of practices!?!? A big fat F with a picture of Donald Trump next to it saying "You're Fired!"
(Hope that satisfies the Yeo haters out there)