Mikko Koivu News

Hey all! Welcome to Arctic Ice Hockey's first annual NHL Mock Draft. Over the next thirty days, Ryan, Tim and myself will attempt to telepathically channel the minds of NHL General Managers as they complete their final rankings in preparation for the 2012 NHL Draft being held June 22, 2012 in Pittsburgh, PA.

I received a few questions about the Minnesota Wild through Twitter, Facebook and email.

Mikael Granlund's arrival in Minnesota has been eagerly awaited by frustrated Wild fans looking for more star power and offensive skill on a team stuck in mediocrity since entering the NHL 12 years ago.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Wild have signed Finnish sensation Mikael Granlund to a three-year, $2.7 million deal that includes a $90,000 signing bonus each year as well as performance bonuses.

Finnish forward Jesse Joensuu's winning goal with nine seconds left lifted Finland past the United States 3-2 Thursday for a place in the semifinals of the hockey world championships in Helsinki.

Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu deflected in the tying goal off his skate 13 minutes and 2 seconds into the third period, and Finland went on to defeat the United States 3-2 in the World Ice Hockey Championship quarterfinals on Thursday, May 17, in Helsinki, Finland.

The Minnesota Wild were in first place in the NHL standings in early December before the bottom fell out of their season and they finished with their fewest points since 2001-2002. Off-Season Game Plan looks at a Wild roster with plenty of holes, but also reason for optimism, thanks to a strong crop of prospects.

The New Jersey Devils advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night, and with that, the Wild acquired the Devils' 2013 third-round pick.