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Chat Reel: Doug Risebrough
Minnesota GM Wild about speedy forwards
Posted: Tuesday June 20, 2000 06:35 PM
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NHL chat with Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough. Hi Doug. Thanks for joining us.
Doug Risebrough: No problem.
From Nathan Robinson in Winnipeg: Are you considering looking at Mario T. as an assistant coach? And how many of the players that are under contract as of now will likely suit up for Minnesota next year?
Doug Risebrough: Well, Mario Tremley, Jacque and I came to an agreement in terms of him becoming a head coach, and we talked conceptually about what roles he was looking for and what I thought was important for assistants. But we did not discuss any names and will not until after the draft. Our players under contract are long-term arrangements and should be around for a while. Or I am hoping they are.
From Nathan in St. Paul, Minn.: As a season ticket holder, I was wondering if you plan on continuing the drafting and signing of collegiate players. Frankly, I love the fact that you are signing so many college players. As a Gopher season ticket holder as well, I realize the collegiate game is gaining the respect of the NHL, and NHL coaches and scouts, and would love to see that trend continue here in St. Paul.
Doug Risebrough: Yes, we're very aware of the college-level game because of the Gopher program. We think it's a strength of ours to asses the players in the collegiate level and those who would like to play in Minnesota and connect to their past by following collegiate hockey.
From Robby in St. Louis Park, Minn.: Does the Wild a theme song or a mascot yet?
Doug Risebrough: We think with so many songs with "Wild" in our theme it will evolve. We don't have a mascot yet, but we're investigating whether one is worthwhile. It seems to be, but I'm not sure we'll have one for the start of the season.
From Jon Forshier in Woodbury, Minn.: Will the team focus on getting speedy forwards, or more tough rugged players?
Doug Risebrough: Our focus is probably more on the speedy forwards, size is a factor to, but speed will be a priority.
From Reuben: I'm surprised Lemaire would want to get involved with a long term project. What swayed him?
Doug Risebrough: I think it was his excitement of being in ground zero and not having to change anything. He really loves teaching and this is the ultimate teaching job. He'll have to make everybody better over time to make this a successful expansion team.
From Bill in St. Paul, Minn.: I'm a Wild season ticket holder but am nervous about how bad Atlanta was this past year (and how long it took the Timberwolves to do well). Help set my expectations for wins/competitiveness over the next three years.
Doug Risebrough: That is expansion. Expansion is a process of building; it's not a short-term effort. My expectations in terms of effort will be that the team will be competitive and ultimately that effort should produce some wins.
From Adam Mertz in Madison, Wis.: Does Dany Heatley need another year of seasoning, especially to focus on improving his strength and defensive game?
Doug Risebrough: He is a good, talented player. He has a real up-side offensively, I think the other parts of his game will improve. He'll find that NHL teams put a real emphasis on defense but that won't inhibit him from being successful.
From Guest: What are your plans with that 3rd pic? Will you send that player to Cleveland right away
Doug Risebrough: Well, the third pick if he's an amateur will have to be returned to amateurs. The only way he could play at the NHL is if he's selected to play on our team, not in Cleveland.
From John Swanson in Minneapolis: What goals have you personally have set for the team this upcoming season?
Doug Risebrough: The goals would be more related to developing an understanding of how we're going to win and play as a team and how hard we're going to have to practice. They're not related to specific targets of wins and losses.
From a guest in Ottawa: Who is your No. 1 goaltender for next year?
Doug Risebrough: We will be able to select someone in the expansion draft and I don't know who that will be. Columbus has the option to select the first goaltender. We traded for a young goaltender, Manny Fernandez from Dallas, who in time has the chance to be a top goaltender.
From Stephen: Doug, many folks are worried that the new style of the Wild will be the "trap". Can you verify these worries, and do you want the team to be a more offensive, or a more balanced team?
Doug Risebrough: Well, our goal hasn't changed to develop a team that offensively productive, but in the initial stages, they have to learn to become sound defensively and the only way to become better offensively is drafting better offensive players.
From Lisa Bruneau in Brooklyn Park, Minn.: Will you focus on obtaining young players with potential in the upcoming Expansion Draft, or will you try to obtain mostly veterans? Also, since Jacques Lemaire is your excellent choice of head coach, does this mean that you'll concentrate on building defense first?
Doug Risebrough: The point would be that veteran players will be selected early in the expansion draft and later selections will be younger guys with potential upsides that may be more take-a-chance selections.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us, Doug. Good luck in the draft and you first season with the Wild.
Doug Risebrough: Thank you very much.
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