Mikko Koivu News

Demitra was a bum. Glad he is gone and he just signed with the worst team in the Northwest.

In need of centers, the Minnesota Wild traded defenseman Shawn Belle to Montreal for center Corey Locke and signed minor-leaguer Krys Kolanos to a two-way contract on Friday.

If the Wild's James Sheppard had his way, the 2008-09 NHL season would begin tonight.

Last week, it looked like the Minnesota Wild were done with free agency. They weren't finished, though, and neither is Owen Nolan.

Minnesota winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard was one of 15 restricted NHL free agents to file for salary arbitration Saturday.

Antti Miettinen has an enormous amount of talent, but after being given every opportunity to score goals, he could never make it work in Dallas.

Doug Risebrough has long regretted letting left wing Andrew Brunette leave Minnesota in 2004.

The draft is over, and for the Wild, the next critical cast of decisions will write the future of the team.

The Wild's draft history has been a little up and down, marked by big successes early in the franchise's history and some down years lately.

Rolston: "I'm looking for my market value" Posted on June 19th, 2008 12:43 AM By Michael Russo I talked to Brian Rolston early this evening for awhile and here is the story A in Thursday's editions.

Potential free agent Brian Rolston waits by his locker for the onsault of reporters before cleaning out his locker in the Wild clubhouse Monday morning April 21, 2008.

“It's always good to beat Sweden”

Antti Pihlstrom scored twice and Niklas Backstrom made 36 saves as Finland beat Olympic champions Sweden 4-0 to claim the bronze medal at the ice hockey world championship on Saturday. via Reuters RSS Reuters.com

Backstrom makes 36 saves as Finland wins bronze at hockey worlds QUEBEC CITY Minnesota Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom made 36 saves as Finland beat Sweden 4-0 for the bronze medal at the World Hockey ... via KXMA-TV Dickinson

“He looked good. He had a good presence.”

In the process of losing Sunday's controversial 3-2 decision to Finland in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the USA may have settled on a goalie for the medal round of the world hockey championships. via USA Today

Mikko Koivu of the Wild scored a power-play goal with 3 minutes, 50 seconds left, giving Finland a 3-2 victory over the United States at the world hockey championships Sunday in Halifax, Nova Scotia. via StarTribune

“I have to say it's one of the best meetings I had with Doug since I've been here”

I am very happy to read this. Lemaire is an incredible coach; I am pleased that he remains the Wild's head coach. via Star Tribune

With the preliminary round of the IIHF World Hockey Championship in the books, here's a look at some of the surprises and disappointments so far:

Halifax

It was just six years ago that Slovakia won its first world championship and solidified its permanent place among the top contenders at this event - or so we thought.

The biggest surprise to come out of the first round at the Metro Centre is that the Slovaks are now playing to avoid relegation after finishing last in Group C. They managed only a win over Norway, which ended up getting through to the qualifying round with a surprise victory over Germany and an overtime loss to Finland. Read more

“It really helps the new guys. We have eight new guys on the team who have not played in a world championship. For them it is really special and to play so well against a really good team. It brings us a lot of confidence into the next game.”

Finland survives OT scare Finns squeak past Norway 3-2 By GLENN MacDONALD Sports Reporter Tue. via The Chronicle Herald

Minnesota Wild forward Mikko Koivu posted two goals and an assist to help lead Finland to a 5-1 win over Germany in the preliminary round of the 2008 World Hockey Championships. via WFRV-TV Green Bay

“It came step by step. I learned to be patient when I was younger, and I knew it was going to be like that here. There's been some tough times, but I think that's going to make you appreciate what you have even more.”

Regardless of Minnesota's fate this postseason, the 25-year-old center has established himself as a clutch performer and invaluable asset to a team facing a potentially chaotic offseason. via St. Paul Pioneer Press