Posted by Scott Burnside
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Talk about bittersweet.
Pittsburgh assistant GM Chuck Fletcher was introduced as the new GM of the Minnesota Wild on Friday. A fine choice for a guy who has paid his dues and comes from one of hockey's great bloodlines (his father is Cliff Fletcher).
But the move doesn't come without a price.
Fletcher attended Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday night, but after he leaves, it's unlikely he will be back before the end of the playoffs and certainly not in any way other than as a visitor. It makes sense. Once you take on a job like the one Fletcher accepted in Minnesota, your allegiances change instantly.
But with the Pens bidding to go to a second straight Stanley Cup finals, there must be a part of Fletcher that wishes he was still in the mix here.
As assistant GM, Fletcher had a wide range of duties, including scouting, contract negotiations and grooming young players through the team's AHL franchise for which he acted as GM.
The Harvard grad was part of the management team for three Stanley Cup finalists during his career: Florida in 1996, Anaheim in 2003 and the Penguins last season.
Still, we're pretty sure there'll be room on the Stanley Cup for Fletcher's name and a place at the team party if the Pens do end up bringing home the grand prize. Plus, what better way to bring instant credibility to your new job than to show off your new Stanley Cup ring at training camp?
ESPN.com Stanley Cup playoffs blog
