The Koivu brothers could be together again in Minnesota.
After committing $30 million over six years to Martin Havlat during the flurry of the first day of free agency, Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher yesterday turned his focus to Saku Koivu, the top center currently on the open market. Koivu would fill a glaring need at a critical position for Minnesota and, in turn, be able to play with his younger brother, Mikko.
In a conference call, Fletcher confirmed the team’s desire to sign Koivu, who has played his entire career for the Montreal Canadiens. Saku is 34, eight years older than Mikko, who is the franchise’s clear cornerstone now that Marian Gaborik has signed with the New York Rangers.
“Certainly, we’ve expressed some interest,’’ Fletcher said. “He’s a great hockey player. There aren’t a lot of centermen on the marketplace. There’s certainly nobody of Saku’s caliber out there.’’
Don Baizley, who serves as the agent for both brothers, declined to comment until “Saku’s contract is done.’’
Koivu has been with Montreal since 1995. The Habs captain had 16 goals and 34 assists last season, right around his career averages for full seasons. He missed most of the 1999-2000 season because of a shoulder injury and most of the 2001-02 season while recovering from abdominal cancer.
King’s ransom for Scuderi
The Los Angeles Kings have a four-year deal in place with free agent defenseman
Rob Scuderi, who is leaving the Stanley Cup champion Penguins.
Scuderi, the former Boston College standout, was part of Pittsburgh’s top shutdown defensive pairing along with Hal Gill, who left for the Canadiens. Scuderi led the Penguins with a plus-23 rating and had a career-high 16 points in 81 regular-season games. He also had a team-high 164 blocked shots. His deal is for a reported $13.6 million.
Panthers ink Leopold
Defenseman
Jordan Leopold, acquired by the Panthers in the deal that sent the rights to defenseman
Jay Bouwmeester to Calgary, signed a one-year contract with Florida. The move came one day after Florida assistant GM
Randy Sexton had said the chances of signing Leopold appeared “remote.’’ “I’m pumped to get it done,’’ Sexton said. Financial terms weren’t disclosed . . . The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed forward
Chad LaRose to a two-year deal. LaRose, 27, will make $1.5 million this upcoming season and $1.9 million in 2010-11.
Thrashers land Antropov
The Atlanta Thrashers signed free agent forward
Nik Antropov to a four-year, $16 million contract, setting up a reunion with
Ilya Kovalchuk. The 29-year-old Antropov played with Kovalchuk in Russia during the NHL lockout. GM
Don Waddell said Kovalchuk endorsed the signing with a text message saying “great job.’’ Kovalchuk’s approval is important. The Thrashers’ captain and biggest star is entering his free agent season, and has said he wants to see the team’s offseason moves before he talks about signing a new deal . . . The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman
Karlis Skrastins to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million . . . Defenseman
Adrian Aucoin signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes, giving the team a veteran presence on and off the ice . . .
Mikhail Grabovski signed an $8.7 million, three-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Belorussian forward had 20 goals and 48 points in 78 games last season.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
