Bill Guerin second interview with the Minnesota Wild
Michael Russo of The Athletic: Again, Bill Guerin and the Minnesota Wild met on Thursday. This was before some candidates even got their first encounter with Craig Leopold and Matt Majka.
It is Guerin’s work ethic, talent development, and the ability to win that has made an impression. There remain other candidates to interview but it looks like Bill Guerin has separated himself from the pack.
Among other candidates, Ron Hextall could still garner a second interview. He impressed in his first encounter as did New Jersey Assistant General Manager Tom Fitzgerald. It is unclear if New Jersey has denied permission for a second inquiry.
Currently, Guerin seems to have the inside track even early in the process.
More Minnesota Wild GM Fallout/News?
James from Account4Hockey: A small thread on the Minnesota Wild reveals the chaotic nature of this general manager process. Sean Burke felt slighted by not being interviewed while Scott Mellanby was. This culminated in Burke going after Michael Russo over the Paul Fenton article.
Fenton received Parise trade proposal and the one-for-one deal would have been a complete disaster for the Minnesota Wild. One thing is clear in Minnesota and that is Bill Guerin makes quite an impression.
The latest on the CBA
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet: A cautiously optimistic feel takes over the negotiations between the two sides this summer. Unlike 2013, neither side wants to hit that reset button.
“I think both sides have been open that the agreement’s not a perfect agreement and could be improved, but nobody’s holding out for a home run.”
Again, that does not mean the trigger won’t be pulled. The NHLPA has a later deadline on September 15th. If both sides let the deadline pass, the CBA lasts until September of 2022.
If labor peace continues, a 2021 World Cup can be scheduled while the Olympics remain a sticking point. Both sides acknowledge tweaks to be made but nothing drastic.
Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine
Scott Billeck: Alas, the Winnipeg Jets have one player committed fully to an eventual agreement and another questioning it. Kyle Connor is the former and Patrik Laine is the latter. As we have seen, Laine prepares as if he could sit out a season while Connor wants to sign a good deal.
It is the nature of posturing in the standstill that is the RFA negotiations.