The Wild has traded Greg Zanon, 31, to the Boston Bruins for defenseman Steve Kampfer.
Kampfer, 23, who hails from Michigan and went to Michigan, spent most this season in Providence. He has five goals and seven assists in 48 Bruins games. He is a puck-moving guy, too.
In 202 games with Minnesota since signing as a free agent three years ago, Zanon, 31, had four goals, 24 assists and was minus-17. He's a gutsy shot blocker and, as I mentioned the last few days, the type of gritty defenseman that playoff contenders often seek as a rental.
Zanon was popular his first year for throwing his body in front of everything, but he quickly fell out of favor with the Wild this year and spent seven games in the press box. His speed seemed to be an issue this year and his defensive gap has often been a subject of scrutiny.
There was zero chance the Wild was going to re-sign him. I will try to find out more about Kampfer.
More later.
