NEW YORK – In the 21st century, it's all about technology. But Chuck Fletcher likes to keep things simple.
That's why the Wild general manager rarely goes anywhere without his trusty black Cambridge notepad.
Inside, Fletcher keeps all his trade secrets — literally.
After every single trade conversation Fletcher has with a fellow GM, Fletcher opens up the notebook and jots down the ideas exchanged.
"This way you don't forget," Fletcher said. "There are so many variables and moving parts to every conversation you have, you need to have a quick, easy way to keep track. I have conversations in here that I had four or five years ago that I'll re-read and think, 'Geez, I didn't even remember that.' "
As Sunday's NHL draft arrives at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., it is safe to say Fletcher has been sharpening his pencil a lot lately.
The draft is most significantly about adding an influx of 18-year-old talent to the pool of prospects, but it also triggers the start of offseason transactions in the NHL. Fletcher has a history of trades at or around the draft (from moving up and down in the draft to executing blockbusters like the Brent Burns deal to setting up the Martin Havlat-for-Dany Heatley swap).
These days, Fletcher says he's making as many calls as he's receiving.