sports
This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses “Russo’s Rants” to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN (100.3 FM) radio and seen weekly on Fox Sports North.
Also find Russo on Facebook.
Email Michael to talk about hockey.
Wild's Zidlicky scratched tonight
Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild news, Wild player moves, Wild pregame skate Updated: February 16, 2012 - 11:35 AM
UPDATED
Marek Zidlicky will be scratched tonight against the Winnipeg Jets.
Zidlicky has arguably played his best hockey of the season the past three games, so this is not based on play.
Zidlicky asked to be traded Jan. 31. His agent said yesterday he is willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to New Jersey, although GM Chuck Fletcher says many teams are interested.
A trade has not been made yet, sources say. But coach Mike Yeo said: "I'm making an assumption that his head would not be in the right place to play this game tonight."
If he is not traded and continues to be here, Yeo said he will play Zidlicky again if he proves, just like every one of their players, he is "all-in."
Yeo said he made this decision before their face-to-face chat, and I'm being told that this in large part is due to the fact that Yeo believes playing Zidlicky would be the wrong message to the Wild players who want to be here.
Also, even though Yeo says it has nothing to do with this, playing Zidlicky would be a risk if he were to get injured.
Through Wild PR, Zidlicky is unavailable for comment today.
Mike Lundin will play in Zidlicky's place.
Justin Falk, a Winnipeger, will be scratched. Cal Clutterbuck skated this morning but is not yet sure if he's playing. He is a game-time decision. If he plays, Jeff Taffe won't. Cody Almond is in. Niklas Backstrom starts.
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- Backstrom has sports hernia surgery
- Harding named a Masterton trophy finalist
- Wild's Fletcher: We're on right path; Yeo coming back
- Postgame: Another Wild season ends; Backstrom had sports hernia
- Goalie drama before crucial Wild game against Chicago
- Russo blog: Wild has arrived in Chicago for a Thursday must-win
- Postgame: Wild season on the brink after shutout loss
- Kuemper replaces Harding in goal
- Pominville returning tonight
- Pominville skating, status uncertain; Suter honored by Norris nomination
- Wild's Suter is finalist for NHL's top defenseman
- Pominville returns to practice; hockey writers voting process
- Pominville practicing for the Wild; Dumba, McMillan recalled
- Russo: Wild's Brodin snubbed as top rookie finalist
- Postgame: Zucker's OT goal put stamp on physical night
- Wild coach wants more physicality today against Blackhawks
- New fourth line for the Wild today
- Wild recalls three from Houston; lineup changes coming?
- Wild excited about first home playoff game in 5 years
Post By Category
- No. 9: Wolves stay put in NBA draft lottery
- Rayno: Is next year a rebuilding year for the Gophers?
- VikesCentric: Moving Joe Webb to wide receiver is worth a shot
- RandBall: Tom Brady's son wearing a Gophers sweatshirt. Class of 2026?
- Christensen: Big Ten could land four teams in NCAA baseball tourney
- Durant says Oklahoma City will bounce back from tornado
- Saunders, Wolves staff in Chicago for NBA draft combine
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters