UPDATE:

The 2nd round draft pick (2012) is the Washington Capitals (cheer against Washington here on out).

Foster and Veilleux are UFA's at the end of this season (Houston, we have replacements).

3rd round draft pick (2013) is conditional meaning that we get it if the Devils reach the Eastern Conference Finals (Go Devils; highly unlikely in my opinion without further significant moves by Uncle Lou).

Perhaps most importantly, the Wild are off the hook for Zidlicky's $4 Million contract hit next year in the last year of his contract. In return, the Wild take on $3.1 Million plus in New Jersey salary but, again, Foster and Vielleux are UFA's at the end of this season

So, essentially, we trade Zidlicky for a 2nd round draft pick and Palmieri (3rd/4th line player with only a little potential according to Devils fans) and the Wild shed a $4 Million salary obligation next year, thus freeing up money for free agency this summer.

Here's the press release:

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired D Kurtis Foster, RW Nick Palmieri, LW Stephane Veilleux, a second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional third round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for D Marek Zidlicky.

Foster, 30 (11/24/81), has notched 14 points (4-10=14) including 11 on the power play (2-9=11) in 37 games with the Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils this season. He recorded two points (1-1=2) in nine games with the Ducks before being traded to New Jersey on Dec. 12. In 28 contests with the Devils, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound native of Carp, Ontario recorded 12 points (3-9=12). Foster has tallied 155 points (41-114=155) including 94 power play points (19-75=94) in 368 career games with Atlanta, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Edmonton, Anaheim and New Jersey. He scored 76 points (21-55=76) and 155 PIM in 181 games with the Wild from 2005-09. Foster was selected by Calgary in the second round (40th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Palmieri, 22 (7/12/89), has tallied seven points (4-3=7) and 12 penalty minutes (PIM) in 29 games with New Jersey this season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound native of Utica, New York owns 25 points (13-12=25) in 78 career NHL games with the Devils. He recorded 17 points (8-9=17) in 43 games with New Jersey in 2010-11 and ranked first on the team in goals and second in scoring amongst rookies. Palmieri has notched 11 points (5-6=11) in 26 games with Albany. He skated also skated for Team USA at the 2011 World Champion and registered three points (2-1=3) in six games. Palmieri was selected by New Jersey in the third round (79th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Veilleux, 30 (11/16/81), has collected 22 points (11-11=22) including four power-play goals and 53 penalty minutes (PIM) in 40 games with the Albany Devils (AHL) this season. He has also skated in one game with the New Jersey Devils this season at Buffalo on Feb. 14. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound native of St. Georges de Beauce, Quebec was originally selected by the Wild in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He recorded 90 points (43-47=90) and 254 PIM in 361 career games during six seasons with the Wild (2002-09). Veilleux ranks eighth on the franchise’s all-time games played list and 11th in PIM. He has recorded 99 points (46-53=99) and 302 penalty minutes (PIM) in 439 career NHL games with Minnesota, Tampa Bay and New Jersey.

Zidlicky, 34 (2/3/77), recorded 14 assists in 41 games with Minnesota this season and collected 123 points (25-97=122) in 241 games in four seasons with the Wild. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound native of Most, Czech Republic, owns 298 points (60-238=298) in 548 career NHL games during eight seasons with Nashville and the Wild.

Foster and Veilleux are coming BACK to the Wild having previously played for the big club. Palmieri and the draft picks are the FUTURE part of the equation.

Thoughts?

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