Fletcher, Brodin, Phillips video; Comments from Wild assistant GM

Good wee hour of the morning to you.

Here is the final Brent Burns for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and a first-round pick (Zack Phillips) trade story

Here's the notebook leading with Jonas Brodin

Here's Rachel Blount's column on Winnipeg

I caught up with Clayton Stoner, who's brother tragically passed away last month. Here's that story

Also Judd Zulgad and photographer Jeff Wheeler got great behind-the-scenes access of Gabriel Landeskog before, during and after he was drafted. Check that out

As for the trade, I will write a column for Sunday's paper with my complete thoughts, but the plan is clear as day now.

They also with the No. 10 pick took puck-moving defenseman Jonas Brodin.

Folks, I'm nobody to preach to people that spend a fortune on tickets, merchandise, etc. But this path is how this franchise must go now. It's been spinning its wheels for too long, and now is looking to infuse young talent into the organization to catch up with the more talented teams in this league.

Unfortunately, the price tonight was Brent Burns. Snag him on your fantasy team next season because he'll have the ability to put up monster points skating with Thornton, Heatley, Marleau, Pavelski, Couture, etc, etc.

But Burns was the lone tradeable asset this team had that could fish three key pieces, and with his contract up in a year, the Wild had to make a tough decision whether to trade him or sign him. I'll go a lot more into all this in my column.

Burns was sad to leave but exhillarated by what's ahead. He was extremely excited to play for San Jose and in front of those fans. And you've got to think now the Sharks are confident they'll be able to sign him long-term. You don't give up three assets like they gave up only to lose a player in a year.

Here are some videos tonight of Chuck Fletcher, Jonas Brodin and Zack Phillips. Also, assistant GM Brent Flahr's comments are below. There should also be a webcam with Judd Zulgad and myself on the site by Saturday.

Here's Brent Flahr, and thanks to Brian Stensaas for transcribing

Brent Flahr

(Chuck deferred to you on the picks, so tell us about Jonas) An elite-skating defenseman, really good puck moving ability and really thinks the game well. He played in Farjestad and played regularly for most of the year. It's obviously a huge step for a young player to make that step and keep his composure and sense. And with his composure and natural ability to play the game – he played well. I was over there for the championship series against the Adam Larsson's and these players and he really played well. Then he joined the Under-18 team in Sweden partway through the tournament and really helped them out, got them to the final game. He's a terrific skater and has a terrific mind for ther game.

(Did he move up a lot?) Maybe in some rankings. But I think most teams were pretty aware. I think some of the ratings don't get to see him play regularly. Because he's playing with men he doesn't get all the first-team power play ice time. You see that in his statistics, but when you get to see him play with his peers you understand what he is and he's obviously a high-quality prospect.

(Was this your guy or was it a tough call?) We had a number of players there we had penciled for our first pick. We actually had Jonas a little higher. [Duncan] Siemens is a totally different kind of defenseman. Big, physical kid. For what we thought we need with mobility and skill on the back end, it was an easy choice.

(Couple years away?) He thinks the game so well, I'm not going to put any limits on that. We'll talk to his people. Obviously he's got to get physically stronger and put on weight.

(Will the scoring come for Jonas?) He's a young guy, like I said. And That's the way it works in Sweden. Young guys have to earn their time. I was there in the playoffs, and he scored the winning goal one game. Off the crossbar, I believe. You watch his feet, his vision and his skill and we're confident the scoring will come. When he plays with the Under 18 team he plays so many minutes.

(Phillips knows where the net is) A very smart, heady player with good hands. Always in the right spot. A nose for the net. He's a competitive guy who really stepped up in big games and that's what we're looking for.

(Average skater?) You look at him, and he has skill and competitiveness. But he's not a big-framed kid. He's going to have to get stronger and work on that. And he's aware of that. He's got some work ahead of him but we're convinced he's willing to do that and we're looking forward to seeing it. He was injured during the Memorial Cup, actually. Give a lot of credit to him for playing with that.