Lemaire seeks answers

As usual after a season, Jacques Lemaire will meet with GM Doug Risebrough. The answers the coach receives could sway his decision about returning.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: April 21, 2008 - 11:58 PM

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Jacques Lemaire has two years left on his contract, but he still hasn't decided whether to return for his eighth season as the Wild's coach.

"Some years it's always easier because you're young and you want to keep going because you're young," said Lemaire, 62. "Now I'm getting older and I just want to talk to [General Manager Doug Risebrough]. We do this every year, though. This isn't new. Every year we sit down and we talk how long we think we can go."

Lemaire said he has some questions for Risebrough that'll sway him one way or the other, but he wouldn't divulge them.

"I want to know certain things about things that I think about. And I want to get some answers," Lemaire said.

It was a frustrating season for Lemaire.

"I love when I see the guys playing as good as I want, that I have a good team -- team, team. The word 'team.' Not individuals. I love that," Lemaire said. "I enjoyed the playoffs. It's too bad that we didn't go further because everything the guys were doing, I just loved it. That was my easiest time as a coach in the playoffs because the guys were at their best.

"The regular season, I think we did really well achieving the division title. That was a good accomplishment from our guys. But we had ups and downs, and it was really hard. It was the most competitive season and the season that was the hardest to get the guys to play for the team."

Defenseman Nick Schultz said there were times Lemaire's message seemed to be tuned out. "In the past, the identity here has always been the team game, and maybe we strayed from that at times," Schultz said. "That's what he was frustrated with.

"It would be really weird [if he didn't come back]. ... For a lot of us, it's been great having him for a coach and to learn from him."

Added Marian Gaborik, "He's taught me a lot of things, the way the team game's played, the way to be responsible defensively. He's had a lot of impact on a lot of people."

Lemaire did say he'd want Brian Rolston back but denied being frustrated with the lack of trade-deadline help the past two seasons (Chris Simon, Dominic Moore, Adam Hall).

"A GM's job is not like the past. It's a tough job now. I'm telling you. It's hard, it's unreal, unbelievable how hard that job is," Lemaire said.

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