Penguins' Fletcher will become new Wild GM; sorry, Pierre

Where we pulling for television analyst Pierre McGuire to become the next general manager for the Minnesota Wild? Of course we were.

Arbitration hearings in which a player is criticized for not being MONSTER enough? Kicking down the door St. Louis Blues President John Davidson previously waltzed through for broadcasters to become team executives; keeping the flame burning for General Manager Buccigross? Equal rights for dudes who look like Dana Carvey's Turtle Man? Sold, sold and sold.

Alas, it would appear that the Wild are one of these teams that seek out bright young assistant general managers with impressive pedigrees and track records (snore). TSN and Michael Russo of the Star Tribune are reporting that Chuck Fletcher, assistant GM for the Pittsburgh Penguins, will be announced on Friday as the new GM for Minnesota. He replaces Doug Riseborough, who found valor in immobility. From Russo:

Fletcher, 41, the son of longtime NHL exec Cliff Fletcher, has been around the sport since he was a child. He's got 16 years of experience with Florida, Anaheim and Pittsburgh, and he's only 41, working alongside some of the NHL's most respected executives -- Bill Torrey, Bobby Clarke, Bryan Murray, Brian Burke and now Ray Shero.

He's a rarity because he negotiates contracts, like the $58 million Pavel Bure deal in Florida, and helps scout and draft players.

Pensburgh lamented the potential loss of Fletcher earlier this month, noting he's been GM Ray Shero's "right-hand man" and impressive in running the Wilkes-Barre Baby Penguins. With that in mind, Quick Facts believes former W-B head coach and current San Jose Sharks assistant Todd Richards. Fletcher's already on the record as a fan.

So a smart, well-received choice for the Wild ... even if we're deprived of Pierre McGuire with his hand on the button at the trade deadline. And we're stuck with Pierre McGuire with his hand on a microphone or pointing at Mike Milbury on NBC.

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