Fletcher sees trades as avenue to improve
A weak free-agent market means the Wild GM will have to wheel and deal to fill needs, and that might mean moving a top defenseman.
Chuck Fletcher has scoured the free-agent forward list and says this is not the summer for the Wild to buy its way out of problems.
Wild free-agent thoughts Fletcher talked about the team's current unrestricted free agents (
Boogaard ,
Nolan ,
Scott ,
Ebbett, Hnidy ,
Earl ). He said he's had conversations with a few but indicated that they'll likely reach July 1. Usually this late, it always goes to July 1. And usually if it gets to July 1, players leave.
Nolan will spill blood for Wild's big finish
MICHAEL RUSSO The Wild's 38-year-old warrior forward was poised to be dealt at the deadline but is happy to have stuck around for a playoff push.
Owen Nolan was sitting in a doctor's office Thursday about to get "plenty of stitches" when he decided it was best to get off the phone.
Sykora placed on waivers but Burns returns MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
The tension around the Wild was unmistakable Tuesday.
The erratic team was back home after an 0-3 road trip. News trickled into the locker room that unhappy veteran Petr Sykora was placed on waivers, setting the eventual stage for the end of his short Wild career. And an hourlong video session and meeting ended with coach Todd Richards changing his mind and running the team through one of the most intense practices of the season.
Stoner makes his mark, leaving Scott expendable MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
Clayton Stoner continues to impress during his promotion to the Wild after 4 1/2 years in Houston, but it's too early to determine whether the defenseman will stick.
Wild fire: Gear gone, but game goes on Players must break in new equipment for tonight's contest in Ottawa.
By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
The Minnesota Wild has been the hottest team in the National Hockey League's Western Conference since mid-November, but it was taken to a new extreme Friday.
Petr Sykora not happy about being relegated on Wild benchBruce Brothers
Wild wing Petr Sykora wasn't thrilled to find himself glued to the bench during much of his team's 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night. So when he was left out of the lineup by coach Todd Richards for the game against Nashville on Wednesday night, it probably didn't improve his state of mind.
Crippled Wild won't seek quick fixMICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
General Manager Chuck Fletcher said he won't make any panic moves for quick fixes.
"I don't think we want to react to the injuries and say we have to make a trade and fill those holes," Fletcher said. "If we can do something that makes sense from a longer-term perspective, we would do it. But I don't think we'll look to move assets or make a trade to do something short-term."
Things Wildly Different In MinnesotaAfter 8 years of doing things one way, the Minnesota Wild decided change was needed. Gone is Doug Riseborough, the man who built the Wild from the ground up. Gone is Jacques Lemaire, the man who brought some success with his defensive first approach, but a style of hockey branded as boring. And gone is the only player they've had who cannot be considered boring: Marian Gaborik.
With all this sweeping change, there is hope that with a fresh mind and new approach, this team can take things to the next level.
