If there were any questions about whether or not Mikko Koivu might get traded before Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline, those questions have been answered. Wild GM Bill Guerin left it up to Koivu, Koivu wanted to stay and as a result, there will be no trade coming.
The 36-year-old center informed Guerin on Saturday afternoon that he will not to waive his no-move clause. According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Koivu said, “It just feels right to be here and to wear this logo and what it means to me.”
Guerin had let it be known to Koivu that if he wanted to be traded to a contender, Koivu just needed to say the word at some point Saturday or Sunday. Guerin wasn’t going to shop him but would have tried to grant his wish. Koivu chose not to take his GM up on the offer.
“It’s one less thing to worry about,” Koivu said. “Today coming to the rink was a good feeling.”
And, while Guerin didn’t shop his captain, speculation is that there was interest from other teams. Who and what the return might have been wasn’t made clear, but it makes to suggest there would have been more than a few teams waiting on a determination of Koivu’s future.
Will Koivi Retire After This Season?
Word is, next season is either a short-term deal with the Wild or retirement for Koivu. The all-time Wild leading scorer, is a pending free agent but those close to Koivu believe that Koivu will seriously contemplate retirement after this season.
It’s doubtful he’ll want to play anywhere else as Koivu has said there’s value in it for him to only have ever worn one jersey.
