(Updated) TRADE THREAD: Cam Barker to Wild for Johnsson and Leddy

“Great Minnesota Hope.”

If people care more about what rink the kid grew up skating on than whether he’ll be bringing the cup to Minnesota, they’re in the wrong sport.

No problem trading Leddy. I wish the Wild could have gotten a late round pick with this as well, though…

The Blackhawks were going to have to trade Barker this summer to get under the salary cap. They’ll have to make some more moves, too, I am told, and the Wild still has interest this summer in center Patrick Sharp.

This 100 percent means, I am told by sources, that the Wild is trying to re-sign Marek Zidlicky before the March 3 trade deadline — probably way sooner. Term is the only stumbling block right now. Trading Leddy was made easier by the influx of defensemen in the system — Marco Scandella, Tyler Cuma, being the main two, and the long-term future of Brent Burns. The Wild, I am also told, was very concerned about Leddy’s development at the U.

Barker had a career-high 40 points last year.

Zids around, Johnsson gone. Interest in Sharp… this is going to get fun, ladies and gents.

Leddy was the wrong pick.

I like it

MINNESOTA WILD ACQUIRES CAM BARKER FROM CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS IN EXCHANGE FOR KIM JOHNSSON AND NICK LEDDY
 
    SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired defenseman Cam Barker from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy.
 
    "I thank Kim Johnsson for his efforts and contributions to the Wild’s success over the last four seasons," said Fletcher. "We are very excited to add Cam Barker to our team. It is difficult to obtain a 23-year defenseman with Cam’s size and talent."
 
    Barker, 23 (4/4/86), has acquired 14 points (4-10=14) and 58 penalty minutes (PIM) in 51 games with Chicago this season. He set career-highs with 40 points (6-34=40) in 68 contests with the Blackhawks in 2008-09, tallying 24 of his 34 assists on the power play and ranked tied for sixth among NHL defensemen with 29 power play points. Barker added nine points (3-6=9) in 17 playoff matches with Chicago. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has skated in 200 career NHL contests with the Blackhawks registering 80 points (17-63=80) and 219 PIM. He was originally selected by Chicago third overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
 
    Johnsson, 33 (3/16/76), has recorded 281 points (66-215=281) in 731 career NHL contests with the New York Rangers, Philadelphia and Minnesota.
 
   Leddy, 18 (3/20/91), a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., was selected by the Wild in the first round (16th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He has five points (1-4=5) in 19 games in his freshman season at the University of Minnesota.

Will Barker play tonight against the Thrashers, then?

“He’s not a QB so much because he doesn’t have the wheels to bring it from his zone.”

How many immobile defensemen do we need? Say what you will about Johnsson, but he logged massive TOI and actually skated well enough to allow us to break out of our own zone.

He will not be in the game tonight. Arriving in the Twin Cities in the AM.

He is happy to be coming to the Wild, but was kind of shocked to hear he was traded.

Asked about change of scenery by @stensation, he said that he had not been playing as much in Chicago as previous years and was looking forward to putting in more time and putting more points on the board.

He described himself as a physical player, PP QB type, and an offensive d-man.

Tried to record it for you, but found out the mic on my computer no longer works. Not many questions, whole thing lasted about 4 minutes. I’m sure there will be more when reporters have more time to prepare. I only found out about it about a minute before it went live.

He had is bad moments, but had some good ones, too. Good luck, Kimmy :)

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/84264102.html

And I’m surprised the Hawks would take Johnsson, even if he is a UFA this summer.

I wasn’t happy with Leddy either, and getting a #3 overall pick with a few years of development under his belt is SO MUCH better than a prospect defensemen whose future is a complete question mark due to slow development.

I have a few Blackhawk fans for friends (sadly) and they’re not happy with their end of the trade.

And Barker CAN produce. Last year he was a stud, even though this year his production fell off.

I also understand why Fletcher wants Zidlicky around. With Zanon signed for another year and the known chemistry between ZZ Top, I think it’s a good move. Zids also may not be asking for as big of contract as Johnsson, so that’s another factor moving forward.

Good trade. Good good trade.

I see this as win-win. As Sam and the rest of us at SCH were saying, he just didn’t have a fit here in Chicago. As far as unfulfilled potential goes, well, he’s had plenty of bright spots, so you know what he’s capable of. All that remains to be seen is if he can do it consistently. For what it’s worth, I think he’ll be awfully good someday, it’s always said D-men develop slower than forwards to. Plus, he adds to the ex-Blackhawk sewing circle you guys have going on up there.

From the Hawks’ perspective, an expiring contract who’s more than capable of playing top-4 minutes and both sides of special teams is just what the doctor ordered. Cheers fellas. Oh, and if you have any games left against the Wings, kindly lay a cockstomping on them. Thanks.

Not sad AT ALL to see Kimmy Yawnson go buh-bye. Welcome Cam Barker. We need a defenseman who can actually DEFEND in front of our net and on occasion SCORE SOME GOALS. This trade is good enough for now but it won’t solve our problem of inconsistent play, especially while on the road. This team for years has struggled with bringing it for three periods straight. I don’t know if that is a reflection on the coaches, the front office or the bench but I hope the mystery gets solved soon because we have some solid lines. Five points out from the last playoff spot…this is it boys. Bring it or go play golf, aye.