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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.
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Wild trades Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy to Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Cam Barker; Talking to Zidlicky
Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild news Updated: February 12, 2010 - 3:24 PM
(Updated) Just before the 2 p.m. trade freeze, sources say the Wild traded pending free agent Kim Johnsson and the rights to 2009 first-round pick Nick Leddy to the Chicago Blackhawks for 23-year-old former No. 3 overall pick Cam Barker, a talented two-way defenseman who has two more years left on his contract at almost $3.1 million per.
The Blackhawks were going to have to trade Barker this summer to get under the salary cap. They'll have to make some more moves, too, I am told, and the Wild still has interest this summer in center Patrick Sharp.
This 100 percent means, I am told by sources, that the Wild is trying to re-sign Marek Zidlicky before the March 3 trade deadline -- probably way sooner. Term is the only stumbling block right now. Trading Leddy was made easier by the influx of defensemen in the system -- Marco Scandella, Tyler Cuma, being the main two, and the long-term future of Brent Burns. The Wild, I am also told, was very concerned about Leddy's development at the U.
Barker had a career-high 40 points last year.
(UPDATED)
Wild assistant GM Tommy Thompson, reached in Vienna on a scouting trip:
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