Wild Blog: Team Solidifies Roster At Trade Deadline

Going into the NHL trade deadline, the Minnesota Wild weren't thought to be very active. Holding on to the first wild-card seed in the Western Conference, Minnesota should be a playoff team if they continue to play as they have since Jan. 1. If anything, the thought was the Wild would address the goal-tending situation and that would probably be it. Minnesota did that and then some. The Wild made two trades at the deadline, getting Ilya Bryzgalov from Edmonton and acquiring Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick from Buffalo.

• Mar 6, 2014

Wild Trade Mitchell To Sabres, Acquire Moulson, McCormick

The Buffalo Sabres have traded forwards Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Torrey Mitchell. The Sabres also acquired a pair of second-round draft picks in a deal made just before the NHL's trade deadline hit Wednesday. Moulson changes teams for a second time this year after the Sabres acquired him in a deal that sent leading scorer Thomas Vanek to the New York Islanders in October. In his seventh NHL season, Moulson is a three-time 30-goal-scorer, who has 17 goals and 38 points in 55 games this season.

• Mar 5, 2014

Wild Acquire Bryzgalov, With Backstrom Shut Down

The Minnesota Wild traded for goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov on Tuesday in conjunction with their decision to shut down ailing veteran Niklas Backstrom.

• Mar 4, 2014

Wild Douse Flames, Stretch Win Streak To 5

Jared Spurgeon's power-play goal in the third period helped the Minnesota Wild notch their season-high fifth straight win, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.

• Mar 3, 2014

Fontaine's Shootout Goal Gives Wild 2-1 Win Over Canucks

The Minnesota Wild were concerned how the Olympic break might affect their momentum. So far, no problem. Justin Fontaine's goal in the seventh round of the shootout gave the Minnesota Wild a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night.

• Mar 1, 2014

Blackhawks Get D Connelly From Wild

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired defenseman Brian Connelly from the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday in exchange for forward Brad Winchester.

• Feb 26, 2014

After Olympics, Wild Dealing With Uncertainty At Key Positions

It's an exciting and a bit of a strange time for the Minnesota Wild, who are ready to make a push in the final 23 games, but are unsure of who will be available off the injured list.

• Feb 25, 2014

Jim Mill Straddles Two 'Wild' Teams

It's three-plus hours south of the Xcel Energy Center. Des Moines Iowa hardly strikes you as a hockey hot bed, but it's the ideal partner for the Minnesota Wild.

• Feb 16, 2014

Wild's Mikko Koivu Out Of Olympics

Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu decided his surgically repaired right ankle has not healed enough to allow him to play for Finland in the Olympics. Koivu, who had surgery after fracturing his right ankle while blocking a shot on Jan. 4, has been out the past 15 games for Minnesota heading into the Olympic break.

• Feb 7, 2014

Wild, Sharks Exchange Minor Leaguers

The Minnesota Wild have acquired forward Curt Gogol from the San Jose Sharks for forward Chad Rau in a trade of minor leaguers. San Jose general manager Doug Wilson announced the move Wednesday, ahead of the team's home game against the Dallas Stars. The Sharks had lost four of their last five. Rau has one goal and six assists in 33 games this season for the AHL's Iowa Wild. He has two goals in nine career NHL games for Minnesota. He will report to the Worcester affiliate.

• Feb 5, 2014

Keith Ballard Brings Veteran Expertise To Wild

The Wild take on Tampa Tuesday night in a dash to the Olympic break. Keith Ballard came home in the off season to try and help solidify a group of defensemen that is a blend of veterans and youth.

• Feb 4, 2014

Koivu Likely Out For Wild This Week; Olympics?

Mikko Koivu's return to the Minnesota Wild likely won't come until after the Olympics, leaving his availability for Finland during the Winter Games in question. Koivu broke his right ankle Jan. 4 when he was hit by a puck and had surgery to accelerate the recovery. The captain and first-line center has resumed skating, but Wild coach Mike Yeo told reporters after practice Monday that Koivu's availability for the last two games before the Olympics break was "highly in doubt."

• Feb 3, 2014

Zach Parise Named Captain Of U.S. Hockey Team

Zach Parise of the Minnesota Wild will be the captain of the U.S. men's hockey team at the Sochi Olympics. Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter and center Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings will be the alternate captains, U.S. general manager David Poile announced Friday.

• Jan 31, 2014

Parise's 3 Points Lead Wild To 4-2 Win Over Ducks

The NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks had plenty of problems against the pesky Minnesota Wild. Claustrophobia wasn't one of them. Zach Parise had a goal and two assists, Mikael Granlund scored the go-ahead goal on a power play early in the second period and Darcy Kuemper made 31 saves for the Wild in a 4-2 victory Tuesday night.

• Jan 29, 2014

Former Gopher Matson Keeps NHL Dream Alive

Tyler Matson spent some golden years as a Golden Gopher. "Unbelievable experience," Matson said. "Playing for Don Lucia, the Gophers and being in Minnesota and being a Minnesota kid … you want to play there." His current residence is just over three hours south in Des Moines, where he plays for the Wild's AHL team – the Iowa Wild. Interstate 35W and a whole bunch of players are between him and the big club.

• Jan 27, 2014

Sharks Beat Wild 3-2 In OT For 6th Straight

Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau found the perfect way to celebrate their new contract extensions. Thornton scored his second goal of the game with 1:30 remaining in overtime to lead the San Jose Sharks to their sixth straight win, 3-2 over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.

• Jan 26, 2014

WCCO Plays Pond Hockey With 'Wild' Ringer

Team WCCO braved the elements Saturday for a pair of charity pond hockey games on Lake Minnetonka. The team ranged in age from 14 to 62, and happily accepted the help of former Wild player Mark Parrish as a ringer. "This is awesome," Parrish said. "It takes you right back. This is where it all began for all of us." The wind chill on Lake Minnetonka was minus 15, but it was all for a good cause.

• Jan 25, 2014

Parise Returns From Foot Injury For Wild

Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise has been cleared to return from the broken left foot that has kept him out of the last 14 games. The Wild said after the pre-game skate Thursday morning that Parise will play against Chicago. He last suited up Dec. 22.

• Jan 23, 2014

Kuemper Lives Out Childhood Dream In Wild Goalie Net

Zach Parise said it's 50-50 if he can come back by Thursday night against Chicago. Meanwhile, the team continues to ask Darcy Keumper to try and keep the gate closed at goalie. So far, it's been a welcomed challenge.

• Jan 22, 2014

Wild Blog: Haula & Prosser Cap Off Wild Day Of Hockey In MN

The 8th annual Hockey Day Minnesota took place on Saturday starting with a trio of high school games in Elk River, Minn. That was followed by a game at Mariucci Arena between Ohio State and Minnesota, with the nightcap taking place at Xcel Energy Center between the Minnesota Wild and the Dallas Stars.

• Jan 19, 2014

Prosser Scores In Overtime As Wild Beat Stars 3-2

Nate Prosser scored his third career goal at 2:42 of overtime, lifting the Minnesota Wild over the Dallas Stars 3-2 on Saturday night. Prosser netted the winning score for the second time in as many games, and Darcy Kuemper stopped 33 shots. Erik Haula and Ryan Suter also scored for the Wild. Ryan Garbutt and Alex Chiasson scored for the slumping Stars, who have only one win in their last nine games. Kari Lehtonen made 16 saves.

• Jan 18, 2014

Gophers Get Ready To Host Hockey City Classic

TCF Bank Stadium will hold an outdoor doubleheader Friday afternoon at the Hockey City Classic, featuring the Minnesota Gophers men's and women's hockey teams. The men's team took to the ice late Thursday afternoon in preparation for Friday's game. It was also a chance to see the ice at nightfall, checking out the sight lines under the lights. Coach Dan Lucia says there will be one other element in play that's a bit more distracting than the waning sunlight.

• Jan 16, 2014

Harding Back On Ice, Not Ready To Play Yet

Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding has been making progress toward a return to playing. Harding took part in the team skate before the Wild hosted Ottawa on Tuesday.

• Jan 14, 2014

Heatley, Kuemper Lead Wild Past Predators, 4-0

Dany Heatley had a goal and an assist, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves for his first career shutout, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators 4-0 on Sunday night. Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six.

• Jan 12, 2014

O'Reilly Scores Twice, Avalanche Beat Wild 4-2

Ryan O'Reilly scored twice, including the game-winner with 7:16 to play, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2 Saturday night. Gabriel Landeskog and Maxime Talbot also scored for the Avalanche, winners in five of seven. O'Reilly had his first two-goal game of the season.

• Jan 11, 2014

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