"One day after signing winger Martin Havlat to a six-year, $30 million deal, General Manager Chuck Fletcher spent much of Thursday trying to fill another significant hole in the Wild's lineup.

Fletcher said "negotiations are ongoing with Saku" Koivu, the decorated older brother of Wild center Mikko Koivu.

But according to sources, the deal appeared to be heading south fast after the team believed Koivu-to-Minnesota was a lock Wednesday night.

"We've expressed some interest. I think a lot of teams have expressed interest," Fletcher said. "He's a great hockey player and there aren't a lot of centermen in the market place, so I'd be stunned if 10 or 15 teams haven't reached out to him by this point.

"I certainly sensed some interest [from Koivu], but there's a lot of good situations out there. Most teams in the league are thin at the center position."

Fletcher, who spoke with Mikko Koivu on Wednesday to ensure his comfort level in the Wild pursuing his brother, added the "ball's in [Saku's] court."

Agent Don Baizley reserved comment other than to say no decision is imminent.

If the Wild isn't able to land Koivu, it's unlikely the team would sign another free-agent center. The free-agent center class was thin to begin with, and it's debatable anybody left could fill the No. 2 role.

"There's nobody of Saku's caliber out there," said Fletcher, adding he'd continue to work the trade market. "But it's difficult to acquire centermen. I'd be very comfortable going to camp with the players we have at center and we'd always have the ability to adjust later on."

Fletcher continued to talk to agents Thursday and would like to sign another defenseman and quality forward. The Wild is trying to sign Pittsburgh winger Ruslan Fedotenko, who plans to make a decision today.

But Fletcher doesn't mind waiting, too, in what should become a buyer's market"