Wild captain Mikko Koivu was examined by a hand specialist this morning and it's been determined he will not have to undergo surgery on his broken finger. GM Chuck Fletcher told reporters this morning that he will definitely be back by the end of the regular season.
As I reported today, I've heard three to four weeks without surgery. But it'll be up to his pain threshhold and ability to grip a stick. But good news, relative to how bad the situation could have been.
Still, you can bet Fletcher will be trying to make a move to improve the Wild's depth at center. Some names of centermen in the last year of their contract include Jason Arnott, Tim Connolly, Ryan Johnson (history with Fletcher/Flahr, Wild considered signing last summer), Jeff Halpern (Flahr's college teammate), Marty Reasoner and Cory Stillman (a wing that can play center, has won two Cups and is good pals with Matt Cullen).
