Gretzky debunks Lemaire myth

By Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune

Last update: March 20, 2007 - 11:28 PM

Jacques Lemaire has been given a bad rap, Wayne Gretzky says.

Gretzky, the Phoenix coach, was asked about Lemaire and the reputation he carries around the league as a coach who cares only about defense.

Lemaire has been toting that baggage ever since perfecting the neutral zone trap while coaching in New Jersey in the 1990s.

According to Gretzky -- the greatest offensive player the game has known -- it is an unfair rep. Especially when he sees what this season's Wild team has done and how Lemaire has adapted to the new NHL rules.

"I think there is a little bit of an unfair myth that Jacques is totally defensive-minded," Gretzky said. "We've watched them play, and I don't think that's true. Look at guys like [Pierre-Marc] Bouchard and [Marian] Gaborik and [Pavol] Demitra. Those guys are as offensive-minded as any players there are in the game."

That's not to say Lemaire has abandoned position-based, responsible defensive play.

"What he stresses is when those guys don't have the puck, you play your position, you be disciplined defensively like everybody else. And be accountable. ... Everybody is on the same page. And if you're not on that page you're not going to play. ... I think his leadership is really strong, his goaltending is good. I think Jacques doesn't get enough credit for being an offensive-minded coach that he is."

So why the stigma? First impressions are lasting ones, Gretzky said. Turns out the Great One grew up watching Lemaire play, and he sees Lemaire coaching the way he played.

"He was responsible defensively, played with a lot of energy and he played very unselfishly," Gretzky said. "And he was a champion."

Parrish injured

Wild captain Mark Parrish broke his right pinky finger on a second-period power play when he was struck by a Brian Rolston slapshot in front of the net on Tuesday night.

Parrish, whose entire hand was swollen after the game, wanted to return, but the team chose to play it safe. Parrish said he does not expect to miss any games.

A Wheeler fan

Gretzky watched every minute of the Gophers' two WCHA games last weekend. So you can bet he came away impressed with Coyotes draft pick Blake Wheeler, the tournament MVP.

What impressed Gretzky in particular was the way Wheeler is starting to add more physical play to his skilled play.

"He's a powerful man," Gretzky said. "Sort of along the lines of [Eric] Lindros. Big and strong and good hands."

All that said, it appears that for the moment Gretzky said he believes Wheeler would benefit from staying at Minnesota.

"I don't think another year of college would hurt him," Gretzky said. "He seems to really be finding his own space and peace of mind on the ice. There is no replacement for confidence, and I think playing one more year there and getting his confidence at a higher level would be nothing but a positive for us."

Wheeler watched Tuesday's game from the press box.

Setting goals

Lemaire has begun talking about the possibility of winning a division title and the third seed that will go with it.

"We talked about it for the first time the last game, in Calgary," Lemaire said. "We have a chance. ... We have to keep playing, stay focused and play the best we can. It would be a great achievement."

Etc.

• Goalie Manny Fernandez (knee) did not dress. Healthy scratches were center Dominic Moore, left wing Derek Boogaard and defenseman Petteri Nummelin.

Kent Youngblood • kyoungblood@startribune.com

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