There are reports the Wild have fired GM Doug Risebrough. If so, it's a move that was warranted.

Let's review his blunders:

-Not trading Marian Gaborik, an injury-prone player coming off a strong season, before he became an unrestricted free agent. I'm not sure what offers he got in return - maybe they were underwhelming - but there was no way he could go into the 2008-09 season with Gabby set to be a free agent. Gaborik had a icy relationship with management and it seemed clear he wanted to bolt. And then .. who'd have thought it? ... he gets hurt and ruins any possible trade at the deadline. The Wild will now get nothing when he signs elsewhere this summer. A lesson for all GMs on how not to manage risk.

-Not signing any replacement for the goal scoring that Brian Rolston provided. Sure his four-year, $20 million contract with the Devils was too much to match, but there was no real effort to replace him. Owen Nolan, 37, and Andrew Brunette, 35, were nice values in free agency. But they were not the answer and there's not much upside at their ages next year.

-Failing to bring in any scoring help at any of the last two trade deadlines.

-Whiffing on recent No. 1 draft picks.

• 2004: A.J. Thelen (12th overall)
• 2005: Benoit Pouliot (fourth overall)
• 2006: James Sheppard (ninth overall)
• 2007: Colton Gillies (16th overall)  - [although it's really too early to judget him]

-Not trading Niklas Backstrom. I put it in another blog post - but the Wild should have traded Backstrom while he was hot as goalies for the Wild are often inflated in value (and stats) with Jacques Lemaire's defensive-minded system. After signing Backstrom to a contract before free agency, Risebrough said he wouldn't trade backup Josh Harding. Maybe that was a bluff to drive up his value, but it's a waste of an assett on face value. Expect one of the goalies to be dealt this summer.

With Gaborik, Risebrough and Lemaire gone, the Wild will be a totally different team next season.