Wild assistant general manager Tom Thompson was in St. Cloud for the Gophers' 4-3 loss to St. Cloud State on Jan. 22. He said he was disappointed the way coach Lucia's team played. Without passion, he said.

Thompson was asked about his impressions about Leddy. He said the freshman from Eden Prairie was one of the best Gophers, if not the best that night. Thompson said he did not trade Leddy out of concern for his development at Minnesota.

The Wild, he said, could also pull him out of there and the situation could always change. That seemed to be a reference to a coaching change, either at the top or with assistant coaches. Does Thompson know something everybody else doesn't?

Probably not. The reality is, that if the Gophers' ship keeps sinking athletic director Joel Maturi will be eventually forced to make a move.

From what I head, Barker is a stud player. Still the idea of watching Leddy develop at the U and someday play for the Wild was intriguing while it lasted.