Mikko Koivu wanted to stay in Minnesota and the Wild definitely wanted to keep him. A seven-year, $47.25 million extension made that a reality. The Wild captain was set to become a free agent next summer and Minnesota wasn’t about to let him test the waters keeping him through the 2017-2018 season.
Koivu is 27 years old and hasn’t been a huge goal scorer with his career high coming last season with 22. He was second in the NHL last year in winning face offs and the Wild believe his talent is much more than just his statistics. They believe his leadership and passion can help fuel the Wild to where they want to be.
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Martin Havlat ended the drama last night in Calgary with his game ending goal that put the Wild over the Flames 2-1. The Wild have been on fire to say the least going 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, desperately trying to dig themselves out of the cellar in the Northwest Division.
The Wild have earned at least 1 point in 13 of their last 16 games. Mikko Koivu had absolutely earned the ‘C’ on his sweater leading the team in points (30) with 9 goals and 21 assists. Niklas Backstrom hasn’t been the shut down goalie we’re used to with a .911 save % which is currently his career low. Backstrom has given up just three goals in his last three games but eleven in the three games prior.
The Wild will look to keep the streak moving as they take on the Vancouver Canucks tonight in Vancouver. The Wild have struggled mightily on the road this season going 6-10 but they’ve gone 2-1 on this current road trip.
Next game: December 12th @ Vancouver 9:00PM CT on FSN North
Minnesota Sports Blog
The Minnesota Wild picked up just their second victory on the season as they continue to dominate at home but struggle mightily on the road. The Wild are 0-6 on the road this season and 2-0 at home. The victory came in large part to their newly appointed captain, Mikko Koivu. Koivu scored late in the third period to tie the game and then followed up with scoring the first goal in the shootout. That was all Backstrom needed as he stopped all three shots he faced in the shootout to seal the victory.
Next Game: Friday Oct. 23 @ St Louis (3-3)
Minnesota Sports Blog
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