With Mikko Koivu now out for the season, some have speculated that the Wild could be turning to the trade market to bring in a center to replace him. However, GM Paul Fenton told reporters, including John Shipley of the Pioneer Press, that the team isn’t looking to bring in anyone else down the middle for the time being. This means that Charlie Coyle will likely shift over to center for the foreseeable future, opening up a spot on the right side. Given that the asking price for wingers at the deadline is often lower, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Minnesota turn around and look to add one as Koivu’s replacement.
More from the Central Division:
- While it has been expected that the Blues would deal their pending UFA defensemen in Jay Bouwmeester and Carl Gunnarsson, Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggests that St. Louis might consider opting to keep one of them around to ensure they have six proven blueliners for a possible playoff push. The Blues have won four straight games and are now tied for a Wild Card spot which could result in a temptation to keep some of their veteran assets around. Bouwmeester is the more notable of the two rearguards but with a full no-trade clause and a $5.4MM cap hit, he could wind up being the more difficult to move.
- The Stars announced that they’ve placed goaltender Ben Bishop on injured reserve retroactive to February 4th. This allows them to keep Landon Bow up with the team after he was brought up on an emergency basis. Fortunately for Dallas, Bishop isn’t expected to be out for much longer. While he’s ineligible to play on Saturday against Arizona, head coach Jim Montgomery acknowledged that the expectation is that the 32-year-old should be ready to play in their next game on Tuesday in Florida.
The Blues would be silly to not move any assets they have. They’ve done nothing but give up assets the last few seasons in acquiring players like Schenn and O’Reilly. Even if they do make the playoffs (which they won’t) they aren’t beating anyone. They don’t need to completely tear it down but if they can move some assets now, acquire a number one goalie over the summer and higher a coach like Quenneville, Vigneault or Tippett, I think they’ll be in pretty good shape to start the season next year.
They probably will make the playoffs and I doubt many teams want to play them. they have been a new team the last few weeks with binnington in goal. gunnarson has actually played really well, so theyd probably want him for the stretch run in case they do play well in the playoffs. a beaumeester trade for almost any draft picks makes sense. you are right they dont need to tear it down. It doesnt make sense to trade practically anyone besides those 2 defensemen or steen because almost everyone else is young or in their prime and the blues will have a very good returning roster next year almost all under contract. steens contract would bethemost important to get rid of, but that will behard to do. The Blues are only 1 top 4 defenseman and a solid goaltender (which they may have found) away from being a true contender.
Hottest team in the Western Conference and they just beat the best team in the NHL. Won’t make the playoffs?? Right.
Seems like they found a number one goalie in Binnington.
You must be a Blackhawks fan
Oops