Coverage of Kobasew Trade; Jaime Sifers on Waivers; Marian Gaborik's Hot Start, Martin Havlat's Weak Groin: Daily Links

Bruins trade Chuck Kobasew to Minnesota Wild - Stanley Cup of Chowder
It will take a while before we can really evaluate this trade. The most valuable piece would appear to be the 2nd round pick. Maybe the Bruins were looking to add some depth in the toughness department with Craig Weller now that Milan Lucic is on the shelf with a broken finger. With Peter Chiarelli and Don Sweeney calling the shots, it's no mystery why they wanted Fallstrom.

Wild acquire right winger Chuck Kobasew from Boston Bruins - TwinCities.com
"I try to chip in and do as much as I can offensively," he said, "and I like to pride myself on my play at both ends of the ice and be very good defensively. Whatever situation I'm put into and whatever role I'm given there, it doesn't matter to me. I'm looking forward to doing that and helping the team out."

Bruins send wakeup call, add to war chest with Kobasew trade - Puck Daddy - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
As for the Wild, they get a quiet dude who works harder than most playing down in the lineup. He hasn't found his game this season, but when he does you know what you get: Around 20 goals and some energetic shifts that can help flip the momentum in a game. He's a sparkplug. He's also a healthy body at forward for Minny, something in short order right now.

Russo’s Rants " Wild acquires Kobasew; Bouchard on LTI
As for Kobasew, who’s hit the 20-goal plateau in three of the past four years, I know a lot of people in Boston, and the scouting report from a bunch is this: "Good skater, works hard, drives to the net relentlessly, plays bigger than his size, has some skill, generates a ton of scoring chances for others but needs many scoring chances for him to be the scorer, is streaky undersized for the way he plays, which is very gutsy. Just goes to the net, plays hard on the wall. Because of that, he does get injured often. Best fit as a third-liner on a good team, but can be a second-liner on a bad team. Teammates love him. Reporters love him. Well-spoken, great guy."

Goalie Niklas Backstrom a rare bright spot for struggling Wild - TwinCities.com
Backstrom, who had a subpar 1-3 record, a subpar .902 save percentage and a subpar 3.01 goals-against average when he arrived in Vancouver, looked like the Backstrom of old, stopping 37 of 39 shots, including several when Canucks players were skating free in front of the net.

Russo’s Rants " Sources: Sifers on waivers
According to sources, the Wild had placed defenseman Jaime Sifers on waivers with the intention of sending him to AHL Houston.

Gaborik's hot start proving naysayers wrong - NHL.com
After seeing Gaborik contribute a goal and 2 assists in a 7-2 victory against Toronto Oct. 12, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said: "There are only a handful of guys in the League that when they get the puck I get nervous, and Marian Gaborik is one of them. He's always had electric talent."

What We Learned: When underdogs attack, logic loses - Puck Daddy - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
Guys, you're not going to believe this but Martin Havlat(notes) has now missed the last two games with, you guessed it, a groin injury.