The Wild missed a good opportunity to pick up a waiver wire top six forward from Nashville last week or a couple weeks ago. Niclas Bergfors sounds a lot like a PMB, but one who shoots the puck a lot more. Also, he's only making $575,000 and has a one-year deal, so there really is no risk if he doesn't turn out to play well.

With Lats out with a concussion, it doesn't hut to have an extra top six forward waiting to fill in when needed. I like Clutter as much as the next guy, but he is best suited on the 3rd line. He is an energy player with a great shot and a little offensive upside, not a top six forward.

Seeing as how Bouchard and Bergfors are both smallish type players, Bouchard would probably have to slide up to the top line. Setoguchi would move down to the second line with Cullen and Bergfors. This leaves the top 2 lines as:

Bouchard-Koivu-Heatley
Bergfors-Cullen-Setoguchi

Worst Case Scenario: Bergfors doesn't fit into the system and gets scratched consistently or dwells in the AHL while Clutter fills in in the top six until Lats returns. His one-year deal expires at the end of the year and he is gone, leaving room for the prospects to come up and play for the big club.

Best Case Scenario: Bergfors flourishes. He is the second coming of Lats after his trade from Montreal, puts up 20 goals and 15 assists in the remaining 48 games, and forces some more competition for the new guys coming in next year in the top six.

In all likelihood, his season numbers would end up somewhere in-between these two scenarios. However, even with a 15-15-30 rest of the season, Bergfors would be considered a success. He could play well on the 2nd line, allow Clutter to return to what he does best on the 3rd line, and is most likely gone after the year is over.

Thoughts?