Michael Russo's Sunday Insider: You ask, he answers

jjcote21: Is there ANY chance of the Wild acquiring Zach Parise?

Russo: The Wild has kept $9 million of cap space to provide flexibility to perhaps make trade-deadline moves and to ensure cap space for its future prospects, but it's also to allow for the potential of landing a big fish. If Parise becomes a free agent, I'd think Minnesota pursues.

Latvia2006: You reported Justin Falk, Marco Scandella and Jared Spurgeon were told to get their own place. Who gets traded? Greg Zanon?

Russo: Players can only stay in a hotel for a month without teams applying with the NHL for an extension. Falk was sent down last year two weeks after moving out of the hotel, so finding a place doesn't secure anything. But if healthy, the Wild will have too many D. Zanon had a tough start and is in the last year of his deal. If there's a D to be traded this year, I think it's him.

Deepbreath: Board of Governors meet next month. What's the status on realignment?

Russo: The Wild desperately wants to move to the Central, but it didn't look good at the last BOG meeting. Owner Craig Leipold remains hopeful. I would put it at 50-50 -- only because he's lobbying the Commish and board hard.

Chicagowild: Darrell Powe -- Nystrom, Part Deux?

Armymom1: Do you think the Wild trades Josh Harding?

Russo: He's in the last year of his deal and his stock is rising. Next year is Backstrom's final year of his contract. If Harding's the heir apparent, I re-sign him, develop Matt Hackett and Darcy Kuemper and eventually trade one of them.

Mn11431: If the Wild doesn't make the playoffs, does the GM have to start worrying about his job?

Russo: Chuck Fletcher's contract ends after next season, and Leipold says, "I have complete confidence in what he's building here." Leipold believes the future's bright with the pipeline of prospects Fletcher and assistant GM Brent Flahr have added.

Caseiler: Kyle Brodziak is going to be a free agent. Contract extension or trade him?

Kerchief: Do the Wild go after a true power-play quarterback d-man via trade or free agency?

Russo: Depends on the development of Scandella, but he looks like a budding No. 1 or 2 defenseman. And with 2011 first-round pick Jonas Brodin, a true puck mover, on the horizon, it could opt to be patient. But you're right: As of now, how good would it be to own a Shea Weber?

Incinerate: If Mikael Granlund doesn't sign with the Wild by June 1, could he earn more money with another team?

Russo: There's an entry-level contract cap, and the Wild will offer the max. Granlund says he wants to be in Minnesota. For now, I take him at his word.

Geowild: Thoughts on coach Mike Yeo?