Looking past the break

The NHL's All-Star festivities take over this weekend, giving fans a chance to see players that they might not see otherwise. It'll also be a nice break for writers, coaches, GMs, and players alike, because, after the weekend is over, the entire league looks to a point on March 4. That point, of course, is the trade deadline for the league.

The Minnesota Wild will have some tough decisions to make during that month, not the least of which being trying to make a guess as to whether or not they are a playoff team, or if they'll find themselves sitting on the outside of the bubble looking in. This is also a team that could be searching for a new coach after this season ends (but, with Jacques Lemaire, every year has that potential), and might also be in the search for a new GM. Needless to say, Doug Reiseborough hasn't had the best of luck when it comes to the team he's put on the ice. Consistent? Yes. Dominant, and a Cup contender? No.

Still, no matter what the Wild's position is, there are some players that they should at least look into shopping around, and some players that they should make sure stay with the organization for a long time. First up, the potential trades.

Niklas Backstrom
The Wild netminder has been sparkling all season, and he's often been the thing keeping them in games. Still, he's due to be a UFA at the end of this season, and the Wild hasn't had the best luck resigning their unrestricted talent (Brian Rolston ring any bells?). Plus, with his selection to the All-Star game, it will allow other GMs to see just what he can do. While Josh Harding isn't as strong in net as Backstrom is, he also wouldn't pull the same kind of value in a trade, and the Wild could use the offensive help, while giving a young goaltender some valuable time in net. Plus, Backstom does like the Wild, and there's always the potential that a trade would be more of a loan to another team, and he could be back in St. Paul next season with a new contract.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Bouchard is a great skater. Nobody questions that. But this season, he's looked completely lost on the ice, possibly due to having new players to skate with. Still, in Lemaire's system, new players every shift isn't unheard of, and Bouchard just hasn't found a way to get his game back on track. Maybe the thing that PMB needs to get his game going again is a change of scenery. Plus, he should have a decent value in the trade market.

Stephane Veilleux
Veilleux had a great pre-season, and has returned to his form from the past couple of seasons as the games have ticked off the calendar. He's also been somewhat less necessary to the Wild, thanks to the play of Cal Clutterbuck. Veilleux used to be the Wild's energy guy, and he can still provide a spark, but he could also net a more offensive threat from a team looking for some more grit.

Marian Gaborik
True, there's almost no chance he'll be moved, but his name has to be thrown out there. The only way for the Wild to get something in return for his departure (which will happen after this season, unless something drastically changes) is for a trade to happen. For that, another GM will have to show a willingness to trade based on potential and hope.

Now, for the players that the Wild should fight to keep.

Mikko Koivu
Koivu is looking more and more like his big brother every day, with one exception. He's got even more natural talent. An emerging leader, and a player that many think should remain as the captain of the Wild, Koivu has shown that he's a fantastic two-way player, and a huge asset. Other teams might come looking, but the Wild should spend time protecting him.

Cal Clutterbuck
The rookie has made a huge impact on the league, trailing only a couple of guys for hits in the season. He's also started to get comfortable on the ice, and has started to find his scoring. Clutterbuck may never be a top line guy, but he could easily be the anchor to a strong second (or third) line, and the Wild need the depth.

Brent Burns
Burns hasn't had the strongest season, but he's also had to bounce back and forth from defense to wing. Without that distraction earlier, there's a good chance his game would have improved to the point where Niklas Backstrom wasn't the only Wild player in the All-Star game. The Wild's system is built around their defense, and Burns is a key figure to that.

So there you have it. Needless to say, the next month or so will be very interesting in the State of Hockey.