A Wild reunion in the works?

We mentioned a couple of days ago about a former Minnesota Wild player having made his way to the Tampa Lightning. Wes Walz headed south to take a job as an assistant coach. Now we learn that, over the weekend, the Wild traded away rights to talk to Brian Rolston to Tampa in exchange for a conditional draft pick. Could this mean that Rolston is done in Minnesota, and, more to the point, about to be wearing a bolt on his chest?

For the first question, we have to think it's almost undoubtedly yes. Rolston and the Wild haven't been able to get any real progress on a contract, and he won't be back in the Xcel as a home player. While there's still a slim chance that he could wear Iron Range red next year, it would have to be a big shock. And, no matter what you think of Rolston, his departure from Minnesota will have big shockwaves through a team that took the division crown, and then folded in the playoffs.

As for whether or not he's destined for Tampa, let's remember that they just got the rights over the weekend, and tomorrow (July 1), he can become an unrestricted free agent. With a relatively weak market right now, Rolston has to be chomping at the bit to see what the league is willing to throw at a player of his skill, while also keeping in mind his age. Wherever he signs, he'll be able to make an immediate impact, and it will most likely be his final contract. In fact, it's just that free agency potential that keeps Minnesota in the running for Rolston, but the chances of the Wild getting outbid are just too high.

Interestingly enough, the Wild are pursuing another player who might help fill that gap. Andrew Brunette, he has provided a number of Wild playoff memories on both sides (from the unbelievable run to helping facilitate their collapse) has expressed interest in returning to Minnesota. The question if Bruno comes back is if he can fill the gap created by Roli's departure. Admittedly, though, if the Wild could lock down both players, it could really change the outlook for 2008-09.

Lightning struck

It's official. A player who made a permanent mark on the Minnesota Wild during his career (and, arguably, left a larger mark when he announced his retirement last season) has moved on. Wes Walz, one of the men who helped create Minnesota hockey and then drove fans up the wall during his personal leave, is headed to Tampa. Not as a player, but as an assistance coach for new team head, Barry Melrose. According to all reports, Melrose was very interested in a recently retired player as an assistant, and he's been very impressed with the Minnesota system.

When Walz announced his retirement, it was only a matter of time before he returned to the game, and a lot of people knew it. It also wasn't much of a shock that he ended up behind a bench, although the expediency of the whole thing is a little surprising. Of course, Minnesota fans could have held out hope that, like Brad Bombardir and Darby Hendrickson before him, Walz would have stayed with the team in some capacity. However, the man wanted to become an assistant coach, and, with Mike Ramsey and Mario Tremblay backing up Jacques Lemaire, there just wasn't space on the Wild bench.

We wish Wes the best of luck in Tampa, and we're not ashamed to admit that we're hoping to see him down the road in the Cup finals. After all, the Lightning are in the opposing conference.

With the 24th pick, the Minnesota Wild select...

The 23rd pick.

Yes, the Wild made a bold move, and jumped up one spot. Was it really a bold move? Possibly... the team seemed to think that the player they wanted (defenseman Tyler Cuma) would be gone at 23 either way, so they wanted to secure that pick. Of course, New Jersey (the team that we pulled the trade with) ended up taking a winger, so we can't be positive.

How does this draft shape up for the Wild? It will be interesting to see, and we may not know for a couple of years. Cuma could be a very good fit, especially with a defensive corps that includes Burns, Schultz and the new addition of Bergeron. Marco Scandella (the Wild second round choice) could make an impact down the road. Sean Lorenz (round 4, and future Notre Dame defenseman) has size, and just needs some experience. Eero Elo, the only non-defensemen selected by Minnesota, hails from Finland, and we know how the Finns tend to fit into the Jacques Lemaire system (Koivu and Backstrom have flourished as of late... Nummelin is headed back across the pond). The 18-year old could be an offensive threat down the road.

But what about what was happening outside of the draft? The Olli Jokinen sweepstakes had to take a toll, as the Wild eventually lost out to Phoenix and a couple defensemen. What about putting Pierre-Marc Bouchard up as trade bait for Jokinen? Florida obviously didn't want to deal with two talented restricted free agents, but what does this mean for Butch this season? If the Wild can't get Rolston signed, we'd expect a renewed focus on signing Bouchard (and getting an extension on Gaborik) before too long. If Rolston signs, we can see the team trying to ship Bouchard away. Possibly for someone like Metropolit or Ribiero?

This is going to be a long off-season, and, while the Wild have done some work to shore up their defense for the future, they've still got some holes to fill. And they've got the unanswered questions with regards to renewing or extending contracts.

The day before the draft

First off, thanks for stopping by. This is a new voyage for us, as we start the business of blogging the hockey world in general, and the Minnesota Wild in particular. Please be patient as we get our ice legs under us.

We're, of course, looking ahead at the NHL Entry Draft, which is just on the horizon, and while there are a number of players of interest, we're trying to chart what exactly the Wild are planning on doing with their four picks. Will they shore up the center position that is admittedly weak right now? Could they add a defenseman to help out the blue line? Maybe a goaltender to help out the ranks, which could use some shoring up in the minor leagues? The only thing that they should have in plenty is wingers, but that could always change with off-season moves.

Speaking of off-season moves, it does look like the odds are good that Pavol Demitra will not be back next year playing for the Team of 18,000, as they're putting more emphasis on resigning Brian Rolston, and they can't keep both. Holding onto Rolston is a good plan for the team, as his leadership far outshone Demitra's over the past season. There's always the questions revolving around Marian Gaborik (Does he want to keep playing in a defensive system? Would he be better if he were unleashed in the Eastern Conference? How will his groin hold up?), but the main thought in St. Paul should be to lock down Rolston, and resign Gaborik as well. The team needs the offensive firepower that those two bring. Shoring up their blue line with Marc-Andre Bergeron will help add a big shot and some more offensive potential to what Brent Burns is already doing, but the Wild won't be able to make serious moves in the playoffs if they can't put the puck in with their forwards.

Still, the Entry Draft will be interesting. Which teams will make trades, and which will take a gamble on draft picks? Will the Wild try and make amends for taking (and wasting) Chris Simon by making a blockbuster deal, or will they simply hunker down and see what they can do to return the core of last year's team?