Wild puts watchful eye on Koivu's big brother

If Jukka and Tuire Koivu had their way, oldest son Saku would be signing with the Wild by roughly 11:01 a.m. today.

If only it were that simple.

The Wild, in need of a second-line center behind Mikko Koivu, is expected to try and unite the Koivu Bros. during free-agency, which begins this morning.

But Mikko Koivu said Tuesday that doesn't mean Saku, the longtime captain in Montreal, automatically will sign on the dotted line.

"It would be a great opportunity and something special for sure, but there's a lot of things that he has to figure out with his family, and honestly, me," Koivu, 8 1/2 years younger than his brother, said by phone from Turku, Finland. "We've talked about it, and it would be something special.

"Obviously first he has to see what kind of offer he's going to get from different teams and figure out the best options. There's not a lot I can tell you right now, to be honest, but I'm sure by the end of the week, we're going to know some more and see where he's going to go."

With Marian Gaborik's Wild career likely having reached the end, the Wild must figure out a way to acquire a top-line forward.

Owner Craig Leipold said last weekend his wallet is wide open. If not re-signed by 11 a.m., the top free agents include Marian Hossa, the Sedin twins, Martin Havlat and Mike Cammalleri. The next wrung includes Alexei Kovalev, Alex Tanguay, Brian Gionta and Nik Antropov.

GM Chuck Fletcher also is expected to make an overture to skilled winger Ruslan Fedotenko, who has won Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.

The Wild likely also needs to sign two defensemen. One league source said the Wild is "high" on Pittsburgh Penguins shutdown defenseman Rob Scuderi's list. Scuderi, 30, had a magnificent postseason for the Stanley Cup champs.

But a second-line center is also at the top of Fletcher's wish list, and Koivu, 34, a longtime warrior and playmaker, makes sense. His numbers have declined the past two years (56 and 50), but in 2006-07, he had a career-high 75 points.

Plus, with Mikko Koivu, 26, a potential unrestricted free agent in two years, a three-year deal for Saku may be shrewd.

Mikko and Saku Koivu have spent the last week discussing the pros and cons of playing together.

This is Mikko's team now, and Saku is worried about stepping on his toes. They've wondered how they'd handle, for instance, if the other was criticized by the fans or media. And with both players "team guys," they worry that an onslaught of Koivu Bros' stories would be an unfair distraction to their teammates.

"It's something you've got to talk about or make sure it's not going to be like that," Mikko Koivu said. "It can't be just about the two brothers. I don't see that as a big problem at all though. I'd say it's more about what's best for his family and best for me as well."

Don't get Koivu wrong. There are positives, like their parents' desire to see them teammates.

"Especially my mom," Mikko said, laughing. "It's one of their dreams for their kids to play on the same team. There's no doubt it would be special for all of us if it can happen, but we'll see."

Hossa might be a longshot after turning down the Wild's $8 million-plus annual offer last summer. And a package deal for Daniel and Henrik Sedin would make filling other holes difficult.

It might be more logical to go after Cammalleri, 27, who scored a career-high 39 goals last year for Calgary or Havlat, 28, whom a source said is very interested in the Wild.

When healthy, Havlat is a dynamic player, scoring a career-high 77 points last season. He's also a proven playoff performer, scoring 49 points in 67 games. The one major downside is that injuries have plagued his entire career, although he played 81 games last season.

Besides free agency, Fletcher could continue to work the trade market (Dany Heatley, Phil Kessel, Ryane Clowe are still available). There are only about 10 teams in the league that can afford to sign one of the elite stars, so teams should be looking to dump money all summer.

Regardless if Saku signs with the Wild, Mikko's excited.

"A lot of teams are going after good players, but I'm sure [the Wild] will do whatever they can," Koivu said. "Changes are always exciting for everybody. For me, it's the first time since I've been there where it will be a big change, like the GM and coach. It will be a lot different for all of us, which is exciting."

TOP NHL FREE AGENTS

A few players who will become available at 11 a.m. today.

Centers

Saku Koivu, Montreal

Right wings

Marian Hossa, Detroit

Left wings

Ruslan Fedotenko, Pittsburgh

Defensemen

Rob Scuderi, Pittsburgh