Dupuis relegated to trading block

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: January 14, 2007 - 10:36 PM

CHICAGO - Pascal Dupuis is in an awkward position.

"I know what's going on," the Wild left wing said Sunday morning.

What's going on is the Wild is trying to trade him. Yet until it happens -- and that's only if the Wild finds a trade partner -- the 27-year-old will have to continue to wear the Wild sweater.

"I can't really worry about it," Dupuis said before Sunday's game against the Blackhawks. "We've got a game to win tonight. I'm part of this team right now, and I'll do my best to help them win the game. That's all I can do."

According to league sources, the Wild faxed the 29 other teams last week to notify them that Dupuis is on the trading block. General Manager Doug Risebrough declined to comment Saturday night.

Dupuis, a free agent after this season, said, "[Management's] talked to me a little about it."I'm playing on the fourth line," Dupuis said. "We all want to play and if they don't think I can play here, I'll do what I can with the ice time they give me until something happens.

"I don't know if there's a spot for me here. I can't control that. I want to play. I want to play here. Obviously that's my first choice. But if that's not what they want, I'm not going to twist their arm. I want to play."

Before Sunday, Dupuis' 15:01 of average ice time was seventh among Wild forwards. He had 10 points in 37 games.

Soccer talk

With so many soccer fans on the Wild roster, David Beckham's five-year, $250 million contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS has been the talk of the Wild dressing room.

"That contract is unbelievable," said Pavol Demitra.

"Good move by the MLS if they want to get more viewers, because he will advertise the game big-time," added Marian Gaborik.

Said Branko Radivojevic: "It's a good investment for them. Adidas and those guys, like Gillette, he's on TV all the time, so it's a good commercial for that team. He's a good soccer player, but he wasn't on top the last couple years. They're bringing him to sell a lot of jerseys and tickets."

Each summer, Demitra, Gaborik and Radivojevic play on a soccer team together in Trencin, Slovakia.

"I'm not good with the ball," Radivojevic said, "so I'm more of the defensive guy."

Demitra, whose father, Pavel, was a pro soccer player, played until he was 15 and is the high-scoring forward.

Gaborik?

"I play goal," he said. "I'm pretty good, I think."

Said Demitra: "He's very good, which surprised us because he's a horrible soccer player. He's the worst ever in soccer. He can't even kick the ball."

Etc.

• Gaborik, who survived "the back-to-back test" vs. Vancouver and Edmonton, was concerned about the ice at Chicago's United Center. Sunday morning, Gaborik said "the ice was really bad. ... I have to be careful but try to play normal."

• Injured wingers Mark Parrish (hip flexor) and Derek Boogaard (head) skated Sunday and could play Tuesday at home against Edmonton. Defenseman Kim Johnsson (groin), on the other hand, is listed as day-to-day but was walking very gingerly Sunday.

• The Wild didn't practice Saturday because it couldn't find ice in Chicago. The Wild returns to Chicago for the fourth and final meeting Friday and again can't find ice to practice Thursday. The Wild played so poorly Sunday, coach Jacques Lemaire quipped, "We'll find ice even if it's behind my yard."

Michael Russo • mrusso@startribune.com

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