After committing $30 million over six years to Martin Havlat during the flurry of the first day of free agency, Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher turned his focus Thursday to Saku Koivu, the top center currently on the NHL’s open market. Koivu would fill a glaring need at a critical position for Minnesota and, in turn, be able to play with his younger brother, Mikko.
In a conference call, Fletcher confirmed the team’s desire to sign Koivu, who has played his entire career for the Montreal Canadiens. Saku is 34, eight years older than Mikko, who is the franchise’s clear cornerstone now that Marian Gaborik has signed with the New York Rangers.
“Certainly, we’ve expressed some interest,” Fletcher said. “He’s a great hockey player. There aren’t a lot of centermen on the marketplace.
“There’s certainly nobody of Saku’s caliber out there.”
Don Baizley, who serves as the agent for both brothers, declined to comment on the situation until “Saku’s contract is done.”
That doesn’t mean a deal will be done with Minnesota, of course, as Fletcher acknowledged.
“I’d be surprised if 10 or 15 teams haven’t reached out to him by this point,” the GM said. “I’m not sure where the process will go, but he’s a terrific hockey player.
“I certainly sense some interest, but there’s a lot of good situations out there for centermen.”
Koivu has been with Montreal since 1995. He had 16 goals and 34 assists last season, right around his career averages for full seasons. He missed most of the 1999-2000 season because of a shoulder injury and most of the 2001-02 season while recovering from abdominal cancer.
Koivu’s parents, who live in Finland, certainly have their preference among Saku’s many options.
“It’s one of their dreams for their kids to play on the same team,” Mikko said earlier this week in an interview with the Star Tribune newspaper. “There’s no doubt it would be special for all of us if it can happen, but we’ll see.”
Source:MINNEAPOLIS (AP) by DAVE CAMPBELL
HABS 4 EVER 