Trade Deadline

by BReynolds on Feb 12, 2009 1:54 PM CST

From the Pinoeer Press:

There were 11 NHL scouts at Wednesday night's game, including four from the Boston Bruins. Also represented were San Jose, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, Tampa Bay, Detroit and Montreal.

Wild general manager Doug Risebrough has expressed a willingness to deal from his team's strength, defense, to shore up its weakness, offense.

Outside of Brent Burns, one of the Wild's untouchable young core, the Minnesota defenseman that would bring the most in a trade is probably veteran Kim Johnsson, who has one more year on a deal at a salary cap hit of $4.85 million.

All of the teams listed could use Johnsson. Of course, given a playoff run, so could the Wild.

So, Hockey Wilderness readers, do you deal Johnsson? If so, what do expect in return? If not, what moves do you make, if any?

Poll

How active will the Wild be leading up to the deadline?

Extremely. They need help, and they have the resources to get it.

7 votes

Eh. Probably another Chris Simon for a sixth type move.

16 votes

Nothing at all.

9 votes

32 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Could someone explain this?

What is Lemaire’s love affair with Skoula? This guy is on the ice all the time.

by RileysCannibalJct on Feb 12, 2009 2:39 PM CST reply actions

His play has improved since last season, likely from his move down the depth chart after bringing in Zids and MAB. Not having to face the opposing top players likely has made his play improve. However, that said… who knows what the deal is. Lemaire has always loved Skoula. Only hope someone makes a play for him at the deadline (he is cheap), or Risebrough is smart enough not to re-sign him when he becomes a UFA after the season.

The only way to avoid failure, is to learn from it.

by BReynolds on Feb 12, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

I say trade Johnsonn or Backstrom

by Tony_O on Feb 12, 2009 4:18 PM CST reply actions

Retracting support for DR

On this board I have been a supporter of Dougie, I am officially apologizing for that. He’s gotta go. Even if every player personel move had been flawless, he would still have to go for keeping Lemaire around. I hope he can find a taker for Johnsonn, but will not likely get anthing in return. The Wild defensive core is embarrasing, they get bullied around EVERY game they can’t protect the goalie or hold the blue line, So what does DR do? Trades promising young, big, physical D-man Rietz for Fritsche. Don’t get me wrong, Rietz wasn’t Pronger or anything like that and Fritsche Hasn’t been horrible at all and I know the Wild like John Scott in Houston a lot, but I don’t see as a big upgrade over what Kris Kolanos was doing while up here. honestly are we that happy with the current Defensive players to make this trade? I don’t understand the motivation for the trade. Maybe there was some free agency considerations that I have not looked into. But why deal a player that you have put so much time into developing to get at most small upgrade, if any, over a player you are keeping in the system anyhow.

by W1ldfan on Feb 12, 2009 10:39 PM CST reply actions