It’s the end of an era in Minnesota

The #mnwild announced the team will not re-sign Mikko Koivu for the upcoming season.

Full statement from General Manager Bill Guerin » https://t.co/CmcHCV0wWZ pic.twitter.com/CNQRD3T5Xz

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 18, 2020

I can’t say it was an overwhelmingly successful era, but I also don’t think that falls on Koivu’s lap either.

Koivu is a center. The Penguins are in need of a center. Is there a fit? I’m not so sure there is. I have no problem signing an older player for a one-year deal. I have a problem signing any player for a one-year deal when their performance doesn’t sync up with the needs of the team. It is why acquiring Matt Cullen the first time was awesome and acquiring him the second time was terrible.

Koivu doesn’t have an offensive pulse anymore and I’m not interested in another center with limited offensive capabilities. Crosby and Mlakin miss too much time to leave the team with a listless 3C and Teddy Blueger to carry the load. It’s why the Eric Staal thing stings so much.

Koivu’s past three years are blah, courtesy of Micah Blake McCurdy and Hockeyviz




Also



Koivu played in 48 games two years ago and 55 games this year. When you combine all the factors I am uninterested.

Once upon a time Koivu would have been a really great get for the Penguins. You know that time is up because the Wild barely have any good centers and they are still moving on from him.

Thanks for reading!

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