Wild G Fernandez Asks for Trade

[JKidd]

Yearning to "break free of these chains" binding him to the Wild, goalie Manny Fernandez expects to be traded this summer and said Tuesday he wants to play for more supportive coaches and teammates than he has had in Minnesota.

With his bags packed for a transaction that might not occur, Fernandez said he has been "fighting against some demons" since the Wild acquired him before their inaugural 2000-01 season and is ready to move on with his $9.25 million contract.

"I've got to look forward. I've got two years to go. I want to break free of these chains that are around me at this point. It seems everybody sets barriers in my mind. I want to break free and be where I want to be."

In a wide-ranging telephone interview from his offseason home in Montreal, Fernandez also complained that teammates and coaches did not back him enough during a tumultuous 2006-07 season plagued by early inconsistency and a second-half knee injury.

Fernandez did not call out anyone specifically. But when asked whether he could be a No. 1 goaltender for another team, he was certain a change of scenery is crucial.

"I know I can. It's not always been easy here. Any athlete who feels he's been backed by his team and by their coaching staff, it's been easier to make it. If they find a place for me, and I have the confidence of the coaching staff and the team, I can do some good things."

"I didn't always have it. It's tough to play when that happens."
He was asked whether there were specific episodes this past season, when he lost his starting job to first-year Finnish veteran Niklas Backstrom.

"There were a lot of moments. ... It doesn't really matter. When you're carrying too much load around, it's hard to do your job."

Coach Jacques Lemaire and assistant general manager Tom Lynn dismissed Fernandez's sharp comments as typical rants from the mercurial netminder.

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[JKidd]

With the job Backy did and Harding did as his back up - Manny can get shipped off. This has been his problem for a while now. He was always "critical" with his teammates when they'd score for Rollie and not for him, and it still hasnt changed. He's a good 1a goalie - but a solid #1 goalie - he is far from. He cant take the full load and does break down over the long haul.

Hopefully we resign Backy and ship Manny away for something worth it. Not someone like "Dominic Moore" or any other ****ing hack.

[Godard17]

manny was good in minny, hopefully he finds a home in a team that would make it far in the playoffs because he has proven to be playoff worthy

[Isles4life]

With Manny wanting out the Wild better re-sign Backstrom and hope he plays as well as he did this season. Harding looks ready for the big time, too. His market value may depend a lot on whether San Jose is shopping a goalie, too. I think either Sharks stopper will have a higher value than Fernandez on the market. I hope the Wild don't get ripped off in a trade for the guy.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by Isles4life

With Manny wanting out the Wild better re-sign Backstrom and hope he plays as well as he did this season. Harding looks ready for the big time, too. His market value may depend a lot on whether San Jose is shopping a goalie, too. I think either Sharks stopper will have a higher value than Fernandez on the market. I hope the Wild don't get ripped off in a trade for the guy.

The biggest thing about this situation is this...

Teams wont be ready to "ante up" and deal something special for Manny, because the Wild are in such a tight spot with 3 good goalies. Other teams know that the Wild are going to look to sign Backy and move Manny - so they'll be less apt to offer a whole lot of anything good.

The situation the Wild are in, makes this a hell of a situation for a team looking for a goalie - as they can get Manny at a "discounted" rate - knowing the Wild are hog tied with him wanting out and needing to be moved with Backy needing to get resigned.

Teams should be lining up to get Manny - for nothing close to his actual value.

[WILD BOOGY]

Sounds pretty much like what you always heard behind the scenes about Manny. Versus Backstrom being very happy and comfortable with his surroundings. No secret that the Wild want backstrom signed and trade Manny. Even though in the media the Wild say they will keep 3 goalies. I suspect they will wait and let 1 or 2 other free agent goalies land then hopefully get something middle of the road in trade for Manny. A big bad a$$ defense would be high on my wish list.