Minnesota Wild Trade Rumors

Koivu's return looking likely
February 9
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Wild coach Mike Yeo and Mikko Koivu stopped short of declaring the captain ready to return, but all signs point to him being in the lineup for Thursday's home game against Vancouver. Sidelined since suffering a separated left shoulder on Jan. 14 at St. Louis, Koivu participated in every contact drill Wednesday in practice and reported no problems. If his shoulder responds favorably overnight, he will return to the lineup. That scenario seems likely because the team placed Jed Ortmeyer on waivers to clear a roster spot. "It's getting better, and each and every day it's getting stronger," Koivu said. "That's a good sign. Being in practice and being involved physically and having contact, you"
Mikko Koivu takes full part in Wild practice, could return Thursday
February 9
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Mikko Koivu practiced today with the Wild as it prepares for tomorrow night's game against Vancouver, but it's still not certain the Wild captain will play, three weeks after separating his left shoulder in a game at St. Louis on Jan. 14. "It's getting better each and every day it's getting stronger. That's a good sign," Koivu said. "Being in practice and being involved physically and having contact, you get more comfortable each and every time it happens. It helps a lot conditioning-wise but more important timing-wise." Jed Ortmeyer was placed on waivers so he can return to Houston, however, so it seems likely Koivu will return."
Rangers trade Christensen to Wild for Wellman
February 4
New York Post
 
"Erik Christensen will get the opportunity to revive his NHL career in Minnesota after being traded to the Wild by the Rangers on Friday for 24-year-old forward Casey Wellman, who was immediately assigned to the AHL Whale. The move opens a Rangers roster spot for the return of defenseman Steve Eminger, who is set to come off injured reserve after having missed the past 19 games with a separated shoulder he sustained in Phoenix on Dec. 17. Though Eminger said he believes he is "very close," coach John Tortorella said he has gotten a "yes" from trainer Jim Ramsay on his availability for Sunday afternoon's Atlantic Division showdown against Philadelphia. Tortorella, however, said he has not"
Mikko Koivu's return put on hold
February 3
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"After saying Wednesday that center Mikko Koivu might return from a shoulder injury in time for the Wild's game in Dallas on Saturday, coach Mike Yeo backed off that timetable Thursday, saying Koivu likely wouldn't return until Tuesday's game against Columbus at the earliest. Koivu will be re-evaluated when the Wild return home for practices Monday and Tuesday. He hasn't played since Jan. 14, and though he had participated in a pair of team practices the past two days in St. Paul, he hadn't been cleared for contact yet. "I don't expect him to play on this trip (in Colorado and Dallas)," Yeo said. "We can kind of end the questions now." Once Koivu returns, the Wild will have to decide"
Brodziak to carry currency into negotiations
February 3
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"With less than a month before the Feb. 27 trade deadline, contract discussions regarding an extension for Wild center Kyle Brodziak will start soon, both General Manager Chuck Fletcher and Brodziak's agent, Allain Roy, said, Thursday. "We've talked about having talks," Roy said, laughing. While both Roy and Fletcher said there is no rush, Brodziak can become a free agent July 1. Because of his age, 27, and valuable role on the team, it seems logical the Wild would want to try to lock him up before having to consider trading him this month. "As long as things make sense, why wouldn't we want to sign Kyle Brodziak?" Fletcher said. "He's been a good player for us, he fits in well, I think"
Harding ignores trade talk
January 20
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Josh Harding isn't oblivious to the fact his name is churning through the NHL rumor mill. It has been almost 10 years since he was drafted, so he knows how it works. The Wild goalie is a potential free agent and it's five weeks to the Feb. 27 trade deadline. So since the Wild has yet to talk contract with him, could Harding help the Wild land that much-coveted top-six forward? "You tell me," Harding said with a laugh. "I should be asking you the questions because you probably know more than me. I don't know what they're thinking of doing. If I did know, I'd probably tell you." Harding, 27, has had an impressive comeback year after tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral"
Injured captain Koivu could miss month or more for Wild
January 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"With the Wild having won twice in the past 15 games and just barely inside the playoff bubble in the Western Conference, it now faces a critical stretch without captain Mikko Koivu. According to sources, Koivu sustained a left shoulder injury during Saturday's shootout loss at St. Louis -- an injury that was being evaluated by team doctors but is expected to sideline the Wild's leading scorer for at least a month. General Manager Chuck Fletcher didn't respond to an interview request, but Koivu left Scottrade Center on Saturday night with his shoulder in a sling. Fletcher is expected to update Koivu's status after Monday morning's practice at Xcel Energy Center."
Colton Gillies departs after Columbus claims him off waivers
January 15
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Forward Colton Gillies, who was placed on waivers by the Wild on Friday, was claimed Saturday by the Columbus Blue Jackets, he said. He will fly to Columbus today. Gillies, the Wild's first-round pick in 2007, had just two assists this season while logging just over nine minutes of ice time per game. In Columbus, he'll be reunited with former Wild coach Todd Richards, who was named the Blue Jackets' interim coach last week. And like Richards, Gillies is hoping the change of scenery will rejuvenate his season. "They're excited, and so am I," he said. "I'm excited to play and get going." The Wild were hoping to get Gillies through waivers and send him to Houston, where he would have received"
Wild place struggling forward Colton Gillies on waivers
January 14
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Wild placed forward Colton Gillies on waivers Friday morning, opening themselves up to the possibility another team could claim him as they planned to send him to Houston to develop his game. Gillies, a first-round draft pick in 2007 who had only two assists this season while logging just more than nine minutes of ice time per game, would have to be claimed by 11 a.m. today. If he's not, he would return to the minors, where he scored 26 points in 64 games for current Wild coach Mike Yeo last season. Gillies would find more playing time there, and the Wild are also hoping he'd find his confidence again. "With Colton, his effort and his attitude have been great," general manager Chuck"
Granlund on whether he plans to sign with the Wild: "Of course"
January 6
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Evening from inside the Corral, which houses the press room for the world junior championships. The tournament's a stone's throw across the street at the Saddledome. Canada won the bronze this afternoon with a 4-0 win over Finland. The Finns didn't compete for two periods and just didn't have the depth to battle the Canadians. Mikael Granlund, the Wild's 2010 first-rounder, called it a "big disappointment," especially after holding a 2-0 lead in Tuesday's semifinal before losing in a shootout to Sweden. But, "life goes on." Couple quick things: 1. Granlund reiterated to me again, I think for the third time in 14 months, that Wild fans shouldn't be worried and that his intention is to sign"
Mikko Koivu looks strong in workout, may play against Calgary on Tuesday
December 20
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Mikko Koivu sat out his second game because of a leg injury Monday, but it was no day off. Koivu, Justin Falk and Chad Rau got a big dose of extra drills from assistant coach Darryl Sydor after the Wild's morning skate at the Rogers Center. All three missed Monday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks, Falk and Rau as healthy scratches. Wild coach Mike Yeo says players working their way back into the lineup for his team will wish they were playing because they will receive plenty of additional training when they aren't. Koivu was hurt near the end of overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks last week. Yeo said the team captain might be able to play tonight when Minnesota takes on the"
Wild wins, but Harding injured
December 7
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"It was Oct. 4, 1991, and a dehydrated Jeff Hackett was lying on a table getting replenished intravenously. He had just stopped 48 of 52 shots in a loss at Vancouver during the expansion Sharks' first game ever. Assistant coach Drew Remenda walked into the trainer's room and put a game puck on his chest. Hackett threw it back and said, "I've seen enough rubber tonight," Remenda, now the Sharks' television color analyst, said. Twenty years later, Wild rookie Matt Hackett made his NHL debut against the team his uncle ushered into the league. Called on to relieve an injured Josh Harding 71 seconds into a game the Wild already was trailing, Hackett deserved an IV and a game puck himself after"
Could Zach Parise be headed to the Wild next season?
December 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Former Minnesota North Stars captain J.P. Parise says his youngest son, New Jersey Devils captain Zach Parise, wants to sign next summer with the NHL team that will give him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup. Could that be the Wild? The elder Parise called Minnesota "a young, coming team." After signing a one-year contract for $6 million with the Devils last summer, Parise is scheduled to become a free agent following this season. "He likes to win," J.P. said after watching the Devils work out at the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday in preparation for tonight's game against the Wild at the X. "He likes to have a chance to win, and right now it's kind of tough with the Devils." J.P., one"
No. 33 in warmups? Wild's 51-year-old goalie
November 24
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Paul Deutsch played hooky from his beer-league game at Bloomington Ice Gardens on Wednesday night. The 51-year-old, who began tending goal at the tender age of 37, instead wore a Wild jersey during warmups Wednesday night prior to the Wild's game against the Nashville Predators. After the Wild got word that Niklas Backstrom, slated to be the starter, would have to miss the game for a non-serious personal matter, it recalled third goalie Matt Hackett from the Houston Aeros. But Hackett's plane didn't arrive until just prior to game time, so the Wild signed Deutsch, who owns a screen printing and embroidery store in Richfield, to an amateur contract Wednesday afternoon to fill in during"
NHL's Gary Bettman: Outdoor Classic will come to Minnesota ... someday
October 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Minnesota can expect an NHL Winter Classic outdoors game sometime, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday. Probably. The commissioner, in town to hand out the Lester Patrick Award to four people for contributions to American hockey Wednesday evening at St. Paul's RiverCentre, said the annual midwinter game seems likely to make it to the Twin Cities. "There's no shortage of demand," Bettman said, "but clearly, ultimately, this is one of the places that we'll probably get to, if for no other reason than the climate and the interest.""
Ex-Penguin Johnson claimed
September 30
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Just when it appeared the Wild were at their 23-man roster for the start of the regular season, they picked up winger Nick Johnson on waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Johnson was in the lineup Thursday night when the Wild played host to the Edmonton Oilers. "It's a pretty crazy day," Johnson said on the Wild's website podcast, "so a surprise like this was something else. I'm very, very pleased.""
Craig Leipold opens Minnesota Wild owner's suite to media
September 28
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Craig Leipold is a nervous jumping jack at most Wild games, he says. In exhibition games, not so much. Leipold invited a dozen members of the Twin Cities media to join him in the owner's suite for the preseason game against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night at the Xcel Energy Center, a rare experience for the working stiffs who are usually up near the rafters in the press box. Why? "We are all one," Leipold said grandly before the game. Two things became evident: The food is better in the suites than in the press box, and Leipold hates it when a Minnesota player ices the puck. He doesn't much care for the on-ice fist fights, either. "I don't want anybody to get hurt," he explained. Ever"
Wild's Staubitz suspended for the first 3 games
September 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The NHL will be enforcing a stricter standard when it comes to boarding penalties this season. Brad Staubitz learned this the hard way Monday, and physical Wild teammate Cal Clutterbuck is now paying even closer attention to the video tutorial the league sent to all 30 teams to open training camp. Staubitz was suspended the final three preseason games and the first three regular-season games for a boarding major against Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cody Bass in an exhibition game Friday. He'll lose more than $9,300 in salary. "I was on the forecheck, and it's obviously not the outcome I wanted from the hit. I say I play hard but not dirty," Staubitz said after his hearing with NHL"
Minnesota Wild cuts training camp roster to 28
September 26
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Marco Scandella was on an up-and-down road to what looked like a full-time NHL job with the Wild last season before he suffered a concussion March 19. He's up today. Scandella, 21, survived the biggest cut of Minnesota's training camp Sunday as the Wild reduced their roster to 28 by sending numerous players to their American Hockey League team in Houston. General manager Chuck Fletcher said the team will start practices today with 24 healthy players, plus forwards Matt Kassian and Cody Almond, and defensemen Drew Bagnall and Mike Lundin, who are all nursing minor injuries. Fletcher said the training camp emphasis will shift from examining young players to preparing for the regular season,"
'Hungry' after lost season, Latendresse shows up slimmed down
September 3
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Guillaume Latendresse's big summer has helped to lighten the load. The Wild power forward won't say how much weight he's lost, but Latendresse was noticeably thinner Friday when he skated with teammates and other NHLers in St. Louis Park. "It's already behind me," Latendresse said of his frustrating 2010-11 campaign, which was limited to 11 games after he got hurt after arriving in training camp out of shape. "I've worked my butt off. I worked really hard. Same as last year, I think. The only thing I did better was my nutrition. My nutrition was really a big key this summer. I like to eat. Everybody knows it. Sometimes it can be a battle for me, but I've been good with it and I feel"
NHL policy change on substance abuse?
August 18
Toronto Sun
 
"The recent off-ice deaths of two NHL players could spark a change in how the league conducts its substance abuse and behavioural program. Commenting on the passing of New York Ranger Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien at the league's research and developmnt camp in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman told a wire service that he will soon approach the Players Association to study the current policy. Boogaard passed away in May after a mishap with alcohol and a painkiller drug. Rypien, who reportedly suffered from depression, died Monday and police will only say the circumstances were not suspicious. Both men had been in the program, which has helped many players with varied"
Wild signs defenseman Mike Lundin to a one-year deal
July 10
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Looking for blue-line insurance with Nick Schultz, Greg Zanon and Marek Zidlicky the only veterans left, the Wild signed Burnsville native Mike Lundin to a one-year, $1 million this afternoon. If you remember from the July 2 editions, the Wild inquired about the Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman on the first day of free agency, July 1. But at that point, the Wild was keeping all flexibility when it came to roster space and Lundin was looking for longer term. But the Wild ultimately came calling again, and despite a few other options, Lundin signed with his hometown team. As an Apple Valley High defenseman, Lundin was a finalist for the 2003 Mr Hockey Minnesota Award. "This is a dream come"
Sharks trade Dany Heatley to Wild for Martin Havlat
July 4
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The Dany Heatley experiment is over in San Jose. Two years ago, the Sharks capped a summer of turmoil in Heatley's life by acquiring the high-scoring left wing as the sniper to complement the passing skills of center Joe Thornton. Sunday, the Sharks shipped Heatley to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Martin Havlat, an offensive-minded forward who hasn't matched Heatley's numbers but adds a different element to the lineup. "This is a high-end player that's got that breakaway speed. That's important to us," said Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, noting that his team had gotten slower up front by trading Devin Setoguchi to the same Wild team on June 24 for defenseman Brent Burns. Wilson"
Panthers sign G Theodore, F Upshall, D Jovanovski, C Goc
July 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"It took about an hour after free agency began at noon Friday for Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon to strike. Tallon signed veteran goalie Jose Theodore to take the place of Tomas Vokoun, left wing Scottie Upshall to provide scoring on the top line, and former Panthers No. 1 pick Ed Jovanovski to mentor the younger defensemen. They added veteran 6-1 center Marcel Goc, a stellar faceoff artist, who has appeared in the playoffs in six of his seven years in the NHL. Jovanovski, 35, the overall top pick of the 1994 draft, will receive a reported $16.5 million over four years. He played his first three-and-a-half seasons in South Florida, scoring 29 goals with 54 assists. He was traded to"
Wild re-sign goalie Josh Harding
July 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Minnesota Wild re-signed backup goalie Josh Harding to a one-year contract today, shortly before the NHL free-agent signing period began. That means Jose Theodore, signed last season after Harding was injured, has become a free agent and is expected to sign elsewhere. Theodore was an unsigned free agent last summer until Minnesota signed him during training camp. Harding, who missed last season with torn anterior and medial cruciate ligaments in his left knee, will return to back up starter Niklas Backstrom this season."
Wild to turn Cam Barker loose
July 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"After placing defenseman Cam Barker on unconditional waivers, the Wild expect to buy out his contract today. "He's been notified," general manager Chuck Fletcher said Thursday. "When he clears waivers tomorrow, he'll be a free agent." Barker, 25, is scheduled to make $3.25 million in the final season of a three-year contract, but because he's younger than 26, if he clears unconditional waivers the Wild can buy out his contract before free agency begins today at one-third the cost. He cleared regular waivers Wednesday, the first step necessary. Barker's departure signals a rocky conclusion to a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 12, 2010, when Minnesota sent the rights to first-round"
Wild GM isn't looking hard for more help on blue line
July 1
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The most painless thing for Chuck Fletcher would have been to continue to employ Cam Barker. That way, the Wild general manager wouldn't have to hear how he threw away his first-ever first-round pick -- and a born-and-bred Minnesotan to boot! -- for nothing. But Fletcher decided it was time to pull the plug on Barker and take his licks now. Nick Leddy's future looks bright in Chicago, and the player he was traded for, Barker, almost surely will become a free agent Friday morning when he clears unconditional waivers and is bought out by the Wild. "Cam worked real hard for us. He was a true professional," Fletcher said. "When we acquired him, he was a player we felt would fit into our short-"
Barker placed on unconditional waivers
June 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"According to sources, Wild defenseman Cam Barker has just been placed on unconditional waivers. While the Wild's not confirming yet, one would think this is for the purpose of buying him out. Technically, he could clear waivers Friday and things could go on as normal, but the first buyout deadline is today at 4 p.m. CT. So to buy him out, this would need to be enacted by the end of the day. As I described on yesterday's blog, there are ways the Wild could drag this out another month. But by doing so, that would be unfair to Barker. If bought out now, Barker can become an unrestricted free agent Friday and find a new home. If the Wild drags this out another month, Barker can find himself in"
Harding, Madden aren't sure where they'll land
June 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Josh Harding and John Madden are at different stages in their careers, but with free agency beginning Friday, both face uncertain futures. Harding, 27, wants the NHL to know his right knee is "100 percent healthy," while Madden, 38, has changed his mind from last season's re-sign-with-the-Wild-or-retire edict. "We're hoping we get a phone call in the next day or two [from the Wild], but if not, we've decided we'll play hockey somewhere else," Madden, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, said Wednesday. "My family's willing to move and try to win one more Cup somewhere else. "My wife said to me, 'You're not done,' and I said, 'No, I'm not done.' " Harding is in flux because he didn't play last"
Wild apparently don't see defenseman Cam Barker in their future, place him on waivers
June 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Wild and defenseman Cam Barker appear to be parting company. Barker, who was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Kim Johnsson and the rights to 2009 first-round draft pick Nick Leddy, was placed on waivers Wednesday. Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher refused to speculate on what might happen regarding Barker, but it has become clear his future is not in Minnesota. If no team claims Barker on waivers, he would have to clear waivers a second time, and then his contract could be bought out by Thursday for one-third of his scheduled 2011-12 salary of $3.25 million, making him a free agent. Fletcher has said repeatedly that even though Leddy appears to be a rising star for"
Wild puts Barker on waivers; will buyout be next?
June 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Wild might be close to cutting the cord on Cam Barker, the player who was supposed to make Wild fans forget about former Minnesota Mr. Hockey Nick Leddy. With the 20-year-old former Wild first-round draft pick already playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, the Wild placed Barker, the player for whom Leddy was traded, on waivers Tuesday. With speculation all month that the Wild was thinking about buying out Barker's contract if it couldn't trade the 25-year-old defenseman, this might be the first step toward that end. If Barker clears waivers at 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Wild could immediately place him on unconditional waivers. If he passes through that unclaimed, the Wild could cut ties"
Wild puts Barker on waivers; will buyout be next?
June 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Wild might be close to cutting the cord on Cam Barker, the player who was supposed to make Wild fans forget about former Minnesota Mr. Hockey Nick Leddy. With the 20-year-old former Wild first-round draft pick already playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, the Wild placed Barker, the player for whom Leddy was traded, on waivers Tuesday. With speculation all month that the Wild was thinking about buying out Barker's contract if it couldn't trade the 25-year-old defenseman, this might be the first step toward that end. If Barker clears waivers at 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Wild could immediately place him on unconditional waivers. If he passes through that unclaimed, the Wild could cut ties"
Flyers send Powe to Wild for a draft pick
June 28
CSN Philly
 
"In what looks to be a move to clear more space under the salary cap, the Flyers traded away restricted free agent Darroll Powe on Monday to the Minnesota Wild for a third-round pick in the 2013 draft. The move will likely help the Flyers re-sign newly acquired forwards Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds (from the Columbus Blue Jackets and L.A. Kings, respectively). Both received qualifying offers on Monday, along with Jon Kalinski. "It was a little bit surprising," Powe said. "You become attached to a city after four years. I'm grateful for Philadelphia, but at the same time, I'm excited about the new opportunity in Minnesota and hopefully things go well there." The space created by sending"
Wild turn attention to free agency market, which opens Friday
June 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"There was a telling moment during the NHL draft over the weekend when Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher, explaining his deal that sent Brent Burns to the San Jose Sharks for Devin Setoguchi and a prospect, noted that the Sharks made the move because "they're trying to win the Stanley Cup next year." Fletcher needed about one millisecond to recognize a little perspective was required. "Not that we're not," he noted, "but we need assets to compete with these teams." Although Wild personnel say they had a marvelous draft for "trying to stock the cupboards," in the words of assistant general manager Brent Flahr, they must quickly turn their attention to impending NHL free agency. The Wild"
Swedish defenseman is Wild's top pick
June 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Wild assistant general manager Brent Flahr said he believes defenseman Jonas Brodin, selected 10th in Friday's first round of the NHL draft, will improve the team sooner rather than later. Brodin, ranked third by the NHL's Central Scouting Service among European skaters and the fourth native of Sweden selected in Friday's first round, measures 6-1 and 170 pounds. He anticipates playing one or two additional seasons in Sweden while getting bigger and stronger. With a nod to Brodin's strong hockey sense, Flahr thinks one season might be enough. "I'm not going to put any limits on him," Flahr said. "He's a terrific skater who has a terrific mind for the game." Brodin posted four assists and"
State of shock: Wild jolts X by trading Burns for Setoguchi, two others
June 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Just when it looked like the Winnipeg J-E-T-S were going to fly into Xcel Energy Center and steal the Wild's thunder, a rather blah draft for the Wild turned into a stunner Friday night when General Manager Chuck Fletcher stole the show right back. A half-hour after most the upper bowl of Wild fans emptied following the team's selection of Swedish defenseman Jonas Brodin with the 10th overall pick, Fletcher pulled off the biggest blockbuster in franchise history. Fan favorite Brent Burns, coming off a breakout season but a year from free agency, was traded to the San Jose Sharks for goal-scorer Devin Setoguchi, Boston University power forward Charlie Coyle and the No. 28 pick in the draft,"
Minnesota Wild could be trading as well as drafting
June 24
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Although the Wild seem to need an immediate infusion of talent, don't expect them to strike gold during the NHL entry draft tonight and Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center. Unless, of course, general manager Chuck Fletcher jumps into the trading flurry that began Thursday. Minnesota is scheduled to pick 10th in tonight's first round, then not again until the 71st pick during the third round Saturday. The No. 10 pick should be an excellent prospect, Fletcher said, but likely will not offer much help for the 2011-12 season. Will Fletcher pull the trigger on a big trade? "You get calls all the time on players," he said. "Every player has a price. It's the old hockey cliche: If Wayne Gretzky"
Wild will get calls on Burns' availability
June 24
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Whether it was Dustin Byfuglien last year or big names such as Chris Pronger and Roberto Luongo in previous years, the NHL entry draft is often about the size of the splash. Thursday was more like a tidal wave. The Philadelphia Flyers got the trade ball rolling by sending 30-goal scorer Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets and captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings on the eve of Friday's entry draft at Xcel Energy Center. The trades were precursors to the Flyers signing goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to a reported nine-year, $51.5 million contract, but they were also reminders to NHL players everywhere that they need to keep their heads up and their ringers on when draft day comes"
Wild Locks Up Prosser For Another Season
June 20
NHL.com
 
"The Minnesota Wild has its head coach. It's now time to start putting together the roster. While that will include the addition of prospects in this week's NHL Entry Draft as well as the potential signings of free agents and trades, the Wild also needs to lock up current players projected to be instrumental as the team looks to get younger and faster. The club took a step toward that today by re-signing defenseman Nate Prosser to a one-year contract. "It's always nice to get it out of the way," said Prosser minutes after putting his signature on the dotted line. "It's time to get the summer going and start working out." The Elk River native, who originally signed with the club last year as"
Wheeling, dealing a big part of draft week
June 20
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Hockey diehards will be drooling all over Xcel Energy Center this weekend. It starts with the fact that every NHL "Who's Who" will be on one draft floor at the same time. If you attend the entry draft this weekend in St. Paul, you'll see (to name an absolute few) everybody from Steve Yzerman, Scotty Bowman and Luc Robitaille to Mark Messier, Ron Francis and Cam Neely. If you're lucky, you may see Hall of Famer-turned-agent Bobby Orr or former players-turned-league execs Brendan Shanahan and Rob Blake scooting by you in the stands. You'll have the privilege of witnessing tomorrow's stars as baby-faced, pimply, clammy-hand 17- and 18-year-olds. But perhaps the most exciting part of the draft"
NHL prospects do it all but dance
June 19
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Wobbly-legged and pale, Mika Zibanejad emerged from a grand ballroom at the Toronto Congress Centre earlier this month ... with a big smile. Threw up? "Yeah, exactly," said the "Persian Prince," a 6-4 Swedish centerman whose mother is Finnish, whose father is Iranian and whose stock is skyrocketing into a potential top-10 pick Friday when the two-day NHL entry draft commences at Xcel Energy Center. Zinanejad looks to be in terrific shape. Yet every time he does the Wingate cycle ergometer test -- 30 seconds of torture where you're fighting maximum power at maximum speed with a drill sergeant screaming in your face at, well, maximum volume -- Zinanejad finishes with his face inside a"
Wild trades Maxim Noreau to New Jersey
June 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Wild made its first offseason trade this afternoon by sending a dynamic offensive defenseman to the New Jersey Devils for an offensive forward! No, not Brent Burns for Zach Parise, but Maxim Noreau for David McIntyre. Noreau, 24, is a bona fide minor-league All-Star who is just itching for a chance to make it in the NHL. It's become clear that's not possible in Minnesota, not with the amount of defensemen on one-way contracts, plus two-way depth with Clayton Stoner, Marco Scandella, Justin Falk, Nate Prosser, Tyler Cuma, Chay Genoway, etc, etc. Noreau was to become a restricted free agent this summer and it was just time to give him a chance to move on. McIntyre, 24, played four years"
Wild coaching candidate Craig MacTavish in talks with Winnipeg's NHL franchise
June 16
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Craig MacTavish, considering one of the leading candidates for the vacant Wild coaching job, might be looking at another offer. MacTavish was scheduled to meet with Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff about the coaching job for the former relocated Atlanta Thrashers franchise, according to tsn.ca. The meeting was to take place Wednesday night or today, according to Darren Dreger of the website."
Wild candidate MacTavish talking to Winnipeg, too
June 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"With the search for Todd Richards' replacement nearing a conclusion, a decision may have been slowed Wednesday when the coach considered the frontrunner for the job agreed to an interview with Winnipeg. Craig MacTavish, whom the Star Tribune reported Monday visited Minnesota last week to meet for a second time with the Wild general manager and tour Xcel Energy Center, was to be interviewed by Winnipeg General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff either Wednesday night or Thursday. MacTavish spent eight years behind the Edmonton Oilers' bench and coached the Oilers to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. He also won four Stanley Cups as a player. He has been considered the leading candidate to replace"
MacTavish step closer to nailing Wild coaching job
June 13
Edmonton Journal
 
"Craig MacTavish hasn't landed the Minnesota Wild head coaching job yet, but several sources say he was in St. Paul, Minn., last week touring the Xcel Energy Center, which maybe a tipoff that he's the leading candidate. The former Edmonton Oilers coach was interviewed early in the process by Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher and may also have had a second formal sit-down to talk about Minnesota's Northwest Division rival. While MacTavish, whose brother Ian works for 3M in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area, isn't talking to the media, he has made no secret that he wants to return to coaching after leaving the Oilers in 2009. MacTavish earned his master's degree in business from Queen's"
MacTavish visits Wild, remains top candidate
June 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Seven weeks after being the first candidate to be interviewed for the Wild's coaching vacancy, Craig MacTavish continues to intrigue the franchise. The longtime former Edmonton Oilers coach still is considered a strong candidate -- if not the leading one. According to multiple sources, "MacT" spent part of last week in the Twin Cities. He had his second formal interview with the Wild and toured Xcel Energy Center and the team's locker-room facilities. MacTavish has had numerous conversations with Chuck Fletcher during the general manager's two-month search for the third coach in team history. With the Stanley Cup Finals set to conclude Monday or Wednesday and the NHL draft in St. Paul on"
Coaching search one of many tasks facing Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher
June 8
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher has boarded a lot of airplanes since his team finished its third consecutive season outside the NHL playoffs in early April. His top priority has been finding a coaching successor to Todd Richards, who was fired by Fletcher on April 11. He's closing in on a decision, he said this week. "I'm still open minded, still speaking to people," he said. Fletcher, who traveled from the Twin Cities to Boston on Tuesday for league general manager meetings this morning and Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight at TD Garden, has had his schedule consumed by a coaching search, scouting and preparation for the upcoming NHL draft June 24-25 at the Xcel Energy Center,"
Former Wild coach Todd Richards is a wanted man
June 8
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"It's looking like Todd Richards will be behind an NHL bench again next season. The former Wild coach, who's got one year left on his contract, has started to get calls. Richards wouldn't confirm the teams, but according to sources, he's got interviews lined up with Columbus and Winnipeg for assistant coaching positions. Detroit's also interested in Richards, while Dallas could be a possibility if Peter Horachek, who used to coach Richards in Orlando, gets the Stars' coaching job. "I'm taking phone calls and talking to some people, but that's really all it is right now," Richards said. The Winnipeg opportunity is interesting because it lends credence to reports that Claude Noel, Richards'"
Craig MacTavish interviews for vacant Minnesota Wild coaching post
June 6
Edmonton Journal
 
"Craig MacTavish has been behind a desk almost every night on TSN's playoff panel, but the former Edmonton Oilers coach would rather be behind a bench. MacTavish has been interviewed by Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher for their vacant head coach job. It's only the preliminary stage in Fletcher's plan to find a new coach, but MacTavish was also in the running two years ago when Fletcher went for a younger face, Todd Richards. MacTavish, who coached the Oilers from 2000-09, got his master's degree in business from Queen's University late last year, and he has worked for TSN for the past two seasons. But he's a coach first. "I took a break and I'm recharged and want to get back"