Minnesota Wild at the Deadline: The Greg Zanon Trade

by BReynolds on Feb 27, 2012 5:30 PM CST in Features

Continuing our look through the trades made by Chuck Fletcher and the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline, we turn our attention to the lesser of the three deals.

While the Marek Zidlicky move left Wild fans in a state of euphoria, and the Nick Schultz trade left fans in a state of confusion, the Greg Zanon trade leaves fans with a powerful sense of... meh. Trading a depth player for a prospect doesn't always end with people shouting in the streets. It is, however, a move that fans may come to like a great deal.

Bringing in a young defenseman, who may have some puck moving abilities, could make the organization a better place to be. Steven Kampfer is a prospect, in need of development. Greg Zanon is an aging defenseman with an expiring contract and on his way out of St. Paul.

Hard to lose this one.

Who Goes

Greg Zanon

#0 / Defenseman / Boston Bruins

Height: 5-11

Weight: 201

Born: Jun 05, 1980

What does Zanon's departure do to the Minnesota Wild? In short? Not much. The gritty, Chuck Norris like d-man the fans once fell in love with was non-existent this season. Sure, he was still blocking shots, but that seemed to be where it all ended. He wouldn't protect teammates, he refused to talk to media (save for when he performed well), and often skated away from scrums.

Not to trash the guy, but it certainly seemed he did not want to be here. Perhaps a new start with a new team, one fighting for something other than pride, will do him some good.

Who Arrives

Steven Kampfer

Minnesota WIld

Height: 5-11

Weight: 197

Born: Sep 24, 1988

Kampfer adds to a stable full of young defensemen. Word is that he is a puck mover, which gives a bit of insight to what Fletcher was trying to accomplish today. He needs some work, and he isn't going to come straight to the Wild and be a star, but it sounds as though with some time, he could be pretty good.

He missed the playoffs last season with an injury, and so missed out on the Cup run, but he was a part of the season that got them there, so he has some experience winning. Without going too in depth, and ruing our "Let's Meet" segment on him for tomorrow, Kampfer looks to be a welcome addition to the organization, and a solid return for a UFA d-man.

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Comments

Looking forward to seeing Kampfer develop

He has some talent and likes to play physical, place him with a more stay-at-home type (Brodin??) and he could be special. Worth a shot in Houston next year.

by J.A.Berty1330 on Feb 27, 2012 6:00 PM CST reply actions

Wait,

That’s Kampfer on the far-left? Does he play with a giant candy cane?!? Can’t say I’m excited for that; peppermint candies have no place on the ice.

by Oi Oi Boy on Feb 27, 2012 6:17 PM CST reply actions

hahahaha

Koivu, Granlund 2012

by Wild_4_life on Feb 27, 2012 9:35 PM CST up reply actions

This kid could be a great puck mover.

Russo tweeted an interesting article on Kumpfer http://www.necn.com/02/01/11/Bruins-find-a-keeper-in-rookie-D-Kampfer/landing_sports.html?blockID=401527&feedID=3352

Works hard, has above average skating, seems smart. Compares his to Kris Letang w/o saying he is the next Letang, but his developmental process may be similar.

by Nsjohn130 on Feb 27, 2012 6:17 PM CST reply actions

He only really compares age and timing to Letang

Nowhere in that article is there a direct comparison to Letang’s skating and hockey IQ. He simply says that Letang had to miss a playoff push because he was too young. That’s the only mention of Kris Letang in the article.

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 27, 2012 8:27 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for restating

exactly what I was getting at…I never said it did. Talking about his skating and IQ was separate from the Letang this. “w/o saying he is the next Letang, but his DEVELOPMENT PROCESS MAY BE SIMILAR”

by Nsjohn130 on Feb 28, 2012 12:06 PM CST up reply actions

UG.

….never said it did have a direct comparison*

and ….separate from the Letang thing*

by Nsjohn130 on Feb 28, 2012 12:07 PM CST up reply actions

Your original post made it sounds like you were comparing the two

You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Mikael Granlund = Suomi Savior

by JDesthubert on Feb 28, 2012 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

I was listening to that radio interview with him...

Seems like he is really excited about getting a chance in a new team.

I’m glad we made this trade.

Minnesota Wild's international fanbase.

Follow @GerDevine

by GerDevine on Feb 27, 2012 9:54 PM CST reply actions

Sadface

Im sad to see Zanon go. He was one of my favorite players on the team. I know he didnt add much offensively and he wasnt the best skater but in my opinion he is incredibly tough. I remember the one year he was playing on a broken ankle and would still step in front of any shot he could. My sister and I nicknamed him ManBearPig cuz he was such a beast. Im sure many are glad to see him go, but im gonna miss him.

by Skippstick on Feb 27, 2012 10:48 PM CST reply actions

I like it

We turned a “meh” defenseman who was not going to be back next year into a young prospect with some up side. Nice move. We definitely need to figure out who the leaders on the back end are going to be though.

by eamon17 on Feb 27, 2012 10:49 PM CST reply actions

Bruins fan here

I like this deal and think it makes sense for both teams. We were reluctant to head into the playoffs with a small, inexperienced puck mover as our only option in case of injuries and Zanon provides a nice safe fallback option. Offensive talents not a priority. And I like his willingness to put his body in harm’s way. Sounds like he’ll replace old fan favorite Mark Stuart in that regard.

You guys get a young offensive minded guy with upside just about ready for a regular NHL gig. He’s shown flashes of excellent offensive decision making, with the caveat that he was paired with Chara – a lot easier to take risks when the big guy has your back. For his size, he’s surprisingly not too shy about contact. He’s no bust, he’s just fallen out of favor this year as a result of bringing in a more experience puck mover and in the long term, having been rendered obsolete for us by the drafting of Dougie Hamilton.

fwiw, he only missed a portion of the playoffs and was a healthy scratch in the last couple series. Some among our fanbase (me) thought he could at least be an improvement on Kaberle’s defensive gaffs and Boychuk’s single handed effort to throw the Tampa series, but our defense-first coach kept him off the roster. Given he’s not seen many games this year, that wasn’t going to change for the upcoming run.

Good luck to Steve with the Wild

I stand with Tuukka Rask in his fight for the starting job

by TomServo42 on Feb 28, 2012 12:31 AM CST reply actions

Thanks

I’m very excited to see where he can go. If he keeps developing he could potentially pair with Jonas Brodin I think. Brodin is a safe, smart, puck-moving defenseman and paired with Kampfer who is a little more physical and offensive they could be a good 1st or 2nd pairing. The only knock against them would be their size I think, but Kampfer certainly doesn’t let it hold him back.

Bottom line: very excited to get Kampfer. Should be interesting to see how high he can go with the Wild. He certainly sounded excited to come here.

by J.A.Berty1330 on Feb 28, 2012 12:43 AM CST up reply actions