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Wild Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:21:44 PDT

In these parts—the Twin Cities, that is—Wild fans are typically accustomed to being disappointed in free agency.

There was Brian Rolston, a magnificent pickup in 2004 who notched three straight 30-goal seasons. But beyond that, free agents typically snub the Wild, no more than last year when Marian Hossa, Kristian Huselius, Markus Naslund and others said no.

Owner Craig Leipold vowed change and aggressiveness this summer after firing GM Doug Risebrough, and the Wild did just that—landing one of the top free agent forwards available in right wing Martin Havlat.

Havlat, 28, is coming off a career year—and first full injury-free season—in Chicago and signed a six-year, $30 million contract.

"From looking at the team, there's a...

Happy Havlat checks out new home in Minnesota (AP)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:12:48 PDT

When Chicago would no longer give him a long-term contract, Martin Havlat turned his focus to Minnesota. He was intrigued by the Wild's hockey-savvy fans, well-regarded arena, young core players and new up-tempo style, enough that he was willing to take a little less money than offered elsewhere to leave general manager Chuck Fletcher salary-cap flexibility.

Puck Daddy's 2009 Free-Agent Frenzy Report Card (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:11:06 PDT

"Bouwmeester ... ... Jay Bouwmeester" (cue music) Handing out grades for the annual Free Agent Frenzy is...

Do the Florida Panthers need a 'Monster' as general manager? (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:40:34 PDT

When we last discussed Pierre McGuire's candidacy to become a National Hockey League general manager it was...

Gaborik tells New York that injuries will not be a problem (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:53:44 PDT

Marian Gaborik signed away from the Minnesota Wild by the New York Rangers, brings speed and scoring ability to...

As Koivu's stock rises, Minnesota's outlook gets bleaker? (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:35:36 PDT

In a way, the NHL's Free Agent Frenzy is a lot like your fantasy hockey draft, only with slightly less beer...

Wild pursuing Saku Koivu to fill hole at center (PA SportsTicker)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:28:12 PDT

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer

Hossa Aftermath: Smart Hawks and how Havlat, Kings lost out (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:16:17 PDT

The aftermath of Marian Hossa's signing with the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday is more astonishing than the...

Intriguing omissions on Team Canada's summer camp roster (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:55:27 PDT

As this point, your heart just goes out to Steven Stamkos. The No. 1 overall pick in 2008 for the Tampa Bay...

Hossa's long deal with Hawks tops busy NHL day (AP)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:05:04 PDT

Just when the slowing global economy figured to put a crimp in spending for NHL free agents, Marian Hossa hit the open market again. And instead of taking a discount on a one-year deal to take a shot at a Stanley Cup title, Hossa cashed in a megadeal with the up-and-coming Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Bitter split? Havlat leaves Chicago for Wild, promises 'real story' (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:43:46 PDT

(NOTE: Don't forget about Puck Daddy's 2009 Free Agent Frenzy Chatter Box ) Martin Havlat has agreed to...

Maple Leafs land Komisarek; Habs dish up Cammalleri (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:17:55 PDT

(NOTE: Don't forget about Puck Daddy's 2009 Free Agent Frenzy Chatter Box ) Brian Burke and the Toronto...

Roloson goes for two; DiPietro contract keeps looking better (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:50:20 PDT

On Sept. 12, 2006, the New York Islanders signed goalie Rick DiPietro to a 15-year contract worth $67.5 million .

Good/Bad/Ugly: The top 10 free-agent wingers (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:56:20 PDT

When news was floating around that the Sedins were close to inking back with the Canucks, we delayed this...

Good/Bad/Ugly: The top 10 free-agent defensemen (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:45:07 PDT

Many National Hockey League general managers are of the belief that you should build a team from the goal out...

Good/Bad/Ugly: The top 10 free-agent centers (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:15:20 PDT

The best centers available at the Frenzy this week sadly aren't unrestricted free agents.

Wild introduce hometown boy Leddy (AP)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:47:50 PDT

The Minnesota Wild held an introductory press conference on Monday for a player who needs no introduction in the state of hockey. The Wild made the reigning Minnesota Mr. Hockey -- Eden Prairie High School defenseman Nick Leddy -- their first-round draft pick on Friday. It's just the second time in franchise history that the team has used its first-round pick on a Minnesota-born player.

Double Displeasure: Sedins' demands force break with Canucks? (Yahoo! Sports)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:59:16 PDT

When Roberto Luongo announced the Vancouver Canucks ' first-round pick at the NHL Draft last weekend, the...

What We Learned: Garth Snow is a genius; draft winners, losers (Yahoo! Sports)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:50:48 PDT

Hello, this is a feature that aims to recap the weekend's events and boils those events down to one...

2009 NHL Draft Team By Team (AP)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:05:16 PDT

Wild get Brodziak from Oilers for draft picks (AP)

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:52:18 PDT

New Minnesota general manager Chuck Fletcher continued his wheeling and dealing in the NHL draft on Saturday, trading the Wild's fourth and fifth-round picks to Edmonton for center Kyle Brodziak. The 25-year-old Brodziak had 27 points in 79 games for the Oilers last season. The 6-foot-2 Alberta native had career highs of 14 goals and 17 assists in 80 games with Edmonton in 2007-08.

Wild go wild for local player (AP)

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:57:02 PDT

Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher's first draft pick in his new job will make quite an impression with fans in the state. After trading down from the 12th overall pick to No. 16, Fletcher chose defenseman Nick Leddy, who was Mr. Hockey in Minnesota last season. Leddy is a puck-moving defenseman who led Eden Prairie high school to the big-school state championship last season.

Islanders draft Tavares No. 1 overall (AP)

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:46:56 PDT

The New York Islanders kept everyone guessing, including John Tavares himself, right up until they made the high-scoring center the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. The Islanders chose Tavares, an 18-year-old junior star with the London Knights, with the first overall pick Friday night ahead of 6-foot-6, 220-pound Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman, the top-ranked European prospect.

Live Coverage: NHL Draft 2009 in Montreal (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:00:12 PDT

MONTREAL -- There are probably reasons why the NHL Draft is important besides creepy photos of rookies, but...

Roundup: Fedorov goes KHL; Bouwmeester, Heatley talk intense (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:06:27 PDT

MONTREAL - Some news, notes and nonsense from the halls of the hotel headquarters and the many minds roaming it...

Lemaire says he's trapped until 'coaching situation' is resolved (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:34:26 PDT

Lou Lamoriello's not getting any younger. Neither is Martin Brodeur. Despite the fact that their best player...