Manny Fernandez wants out...MVN article...

[LemaireisGOD]

The State of Hockey News | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » Wild news: Fernandez wants out of Minnesota, Backstrom situation heats up

Wild news: Fernandez wants out of Minnesota, Backstrom situation heats up

By Derek Felska | June 1st, 2007

Backstrom or Fernandez? Which one is it going to be, is the question on many Wild fans’ minds these days. Playing out almost like a daytime soap opera, fans on various message boards debate the situation and it seems to be a lightning rod of controversy amongst them. Some fans passionately give reasons why they hope he (Fernandez) leaves, while others emphatically believe he should stay. As a popular soap opera always starts, “Like sands through the hourglass…”

In a recent interview published by St. Paul Pioneer-Press‘ Wild goaltender Manny Fernandez has made it rather clear he is unhappy and can’t wait to leave Minnesota. Throughout the interview between Fernandez and the Pioneer-Press‘ Brian Murphy, the moody goaltender calls out the organization, teamates (although admittedly not by name), and coaches for a general lack of support. When asked by Murphy whether he (Fernandez) could be a #1 goaltender the Etobicoke, Ontario-native had this to say, “I know I can. It’s not always been easy here. Any athlete who feels he’s been backed by his team and by their coaching staff, it’s been easier to make it. If they find a place for me, and I have the confidence of the coaching staff and the team, I can do some good things.” Yet, Fernandez seems to burn some bridges with some of his comments, which gives you an idea as to how frustrated he has become with the situation when he said, “I’ve got to look forward. I’ve got two years to go. I want to break free of these chains that are around me at this point. It seems everybody sets barriers in my mind. I want to break free and be where I want to be.” That hardly sounds like a guy who’s glad he’s making $3.5 million per season.

Fernandez had a fairly solid season statistically posting 20 wins, a 2.55 goals against average and a .911% save percentage but at times the goaltender was inconsistant until his season was finally put to an end by a nagging knee injury. Ultimately it was his injury which opened the window of opportunity for Niklas Backstrom, who stepped in and put up league leading 1.97 goals against average and .929 save percentage. Backstrom quickly seemed to win the fans, coaches and teamates over with his incredibly consistant play as well as his low-key modest attitude. The coaches like Backstrom’s “team first” mentality that cannot really be said Manny Fernandez has. Fernandez has always been rather moody and at times (when he’s playing well) he’s jovial, but when he struggles he becomes pouty and a bit of a lockeroom headache. It is the latter portion of his attitude that has run thin with some of his teamates.

The article also mentions how some members of the Wild organization thoughts about Fernandez’ comments, even Assistant General Manager Tom Lynn and Wild Head Coach Jacques Lemaire. “It’s just Manny being Manny, it doesn’t bother me,” said Lemaire. Even though Lemaire and Lynn basically say “it doesn’t bother them” I think its safe to say at some level they find it annoying to have to deal with. Another factor consider is that Fernandez’ public comments about his teamates, coaches, and organization may reduce his trade value. Teams that are looking to acquire a goaltender, like Phoenix, Los Angeles, Florida, and Detroit (if Hasek retires) might think about passing on making a deal for Fernandez for fear of what it may do their lockeroom. Having a moody player (especially a goaltender) may not seem like something you want to have if you have a feeling you might have another struggling team on your hands. These teams may not wish to offer nearly as much knowing they might be bringing a headache to their squad. It is doubtful the Wild will get a deal like it did when it dealt Dwayne Roloson to Edmonton when it recieved a 1st round pick in return.

If you listen to the Wild though, a trade doesn’t seem so inevitable. Assistant GM Tom Lynn stated, “We have no reason to pass off one of the best goalies in the league just to make it easier on everybody.” However, Manny Fernandez basically believes its a foregone conclusion that he’ll be dealt.

Hearing Fernandez say things like this to me is the nail in the coffin for him to stay in Minnesota. How can he stick around? He basically said he feels he has no support here in Minnesota, and it seems like each season he wants out of here. Fernandez rarely seems to be happy, and the drama over whether he wants to stay or go has grown rather tiresome to say the least. If the Wild keep Fernandez and Backstrom, how will that work out in the lockeroom; also, what will Josh Harding gain by having another year in Houston? He’s demonstrated his NHL ready, he has nothing more to learn. While trading Fernandez may be problematic it is what’s best for the team. The team shouldn’t have this soap opera to deal with each season, and that might just mean the team will have to part ways with him at a bargain price in order to get him moved. Let Manny have his “chains” broken, but not so much for his sake but so we (the fans) can finally be free of his whining.