Torn ACL has Radivojevic's future unclear

Branko Radivojevic's NHL future is suddenly in jeopardy.

The Wild right winger, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, revealed Monday he played almost all of Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals on a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

He'll undergo reconstructive knee surgery and be out four to six months.

"I heard the crack when I collided [with Colorado's Paul Stastny]," Radivojevic said. "I was in a lot of pain, but I wanted to come back. Probably not smart, because I had a couple more hits there and it was hurting.

"Obviously this is bad timing for me right now. But I'm looking forward to rehab and getting myself back."

General Manager Doug Risebrough would not say if he would re-sign Radivojevic. Last month he said he'd re-sign defenseman Kurtis Foster to alleviate the stress of Foster's recovery from a broken left femur.

"One's restricted and the other's unrestricted," said Risebrough, who could have made Foster an unrestricted free agent by not retaining him. "If Foster was in his unrestricted year, he wouldn't be treated any differently than Radivojevic. There is a distinction there. I would say Radivojevic's injury is not a career-ending injury."

Still, Radivojevic is worried. "When you're hurt like this and you don't have a contract, you're nervous," he said.

Will Leafs come calling?

Asked if the Toronto Maple Leafs have sought permission to speak to him about their vacant GM job, Risebrough said, "They can't ask me."

Asked if they've asked owner Craig Leipold for permission, Risebrough didn't answer.

"I'm very happy with the present situation, and I'm very comfortable specifically with the new ownership change," Risebrough said. "I arguably might have the best job in hockey right now."

Going, going, gone ...

Defenseman Sean Hill, 38, a Duluth native, said calling this season his most frustrating was an "understatement." He had nine points in 35 games, was a minus-16 and was scratched often.

"I think in the right situation, I can still do it. I'll see how it goes this summer, but it's my plan to play," Hill said.

Shootout king Petteri Nummelin's two years with the Wild weren't always easy or fun. But the defenseman was glad he returned for another stab at the NHL after spending 2000-01 with Columbus.

"When you stop playing, then it's too late," said Nummelin, who plans to return to the Swiss League. "So I'm happy to have had the chance, to come over and play [in the NHL] again."

Others likely on their way out of the Wild are Keith Carney, Chris Simon and Matt Foy. Aaron Voros and Pavol Demitra are up in the air, while the Wild likely will try to keep Brian Rolston and Todd Fedoruk.

Injuries, well, hurt

Coach Jacques Lemaire said injuries to Nick Schultz and Foster doomed the Wild in the playoffs.

"We never mentioned it. We were a little scared about the injuries we had on defense," Lemaire said. "We knew we were going to tax certain guys, and at a time, we didn't know if they were going to last.

"It caught up the last game. You could tell."

Eager for next year

Right winger Mark Parrish, in Lemaire's doghouse all season before a concussion knocked him out of the playoffs, said he's looking to getting away from the most frustrating season of his career and getting a clean slate in training camp.

"I just want to hang out with the family and watch my daughter grow up," Parrish said. "I'm looking forward to coming back early next year and starting anew. I really am."

Etc.

• Left winger Derek Boogaard, bothered by a herniated disk all season, said he does not plan to have back surgery.

• Benoit Pouliot and Erik Reitz were sent to the Houston Aeros to play in the AHL playoffs.