Wild acquires Marc-Andre Bergeron
Posted on June 10th, 2008 – 4:08 PMBy Michael Russo
The Wild has traded a third-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron, a hard-shooting, strong-skating player who scored 15 goals in 2005-06 for the Oilers and a career-high 46 points in 2006-07 for the Islanders and Oilers (He was traded to the Isles for Denis Grebeshkov, whom the Oilers are extremely high on).
His 38 goals the past three years rank ninth among NHL defensemen.
Bergeron was dealt to the Ducks from the Islanders in February after scoring nine goals and 18 points in 46 games for the Isles. Bergeron didn’t get in any playoff games for the deep blue-line Ducks.
Bergeron is considered mid-range defenseman. According to a writer in Edmonton, “he can shoot like hell and skate, but he’s very unsure of himself, doesn’t have a lot of self-esteem, gets down on himself. He also struggles at times in his own end. He’s serviceable. He’s can play some reasonable minutes, but he’s prone to mistakes the more minutes he gets.”
What I know of him is he’s one of the hardest-shooting defensemen in the NHL. He’s got a bullet, like a left-shot Kurtis Foster, only much smaller. He also tends to have blinders in his own zone as far as picking up guys that are closing in on him. But this is a depth move as the Wild looks to replace guys like Sean Hill, Petteri Nummelin, Keith Carney and potentially Foster at the start of the season.
I still think the Wild needs to get grittier on the back end, perhaps going after rugged blue-liners Brooks Orpik (named after Herb Brooks) or Mike Commodore when free agency begins.
I’m told by league sources that the Wild is very close to signing Erik Reitz, who could have become a free agent. It would be a one-way deal, meaning he has a great chance to be on the team.
I’ll also have some other news later tonight for you and some analysis on the Bergeron addition, so check back in.
151 Responses to "Wild acquires Marc-Andre Bergeron"
Wow, here we go!
woohooo!
Oh my god…I hope its somebody worthwhile.
And I am scared as to who will be leaving.
I hear u sunshine i am kind of nervous to see who is out the door as well… Hopefully its a dman that can help us next season
I just hope its not Gaborik. I want to give him a chance at signing an extension first before trading him.
I can’t imagine they’d trade PMB for a defenseman…
Willie Mitchell??? 
Hmmm.. I wonder who it could be. I hope PMB is not going anywhere.
Pinhead! (Pronger)
Please God, no. (doubt it)
Possibly a Calgary Flame so they’ll have room to sign Langkow?
I like me some good speculation.
And if it’s Matt Carle, I’m going to be very disappointed.
ryan suter?
Oli Jokinen?
Last time I checked Oli Jokinen did not play defense? come on keep up with the game at least onlooker
Mattias Ohlund?
I bet that’s not it.
Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah! Finally, they wake up and get it going! Thanks Russo, I knew you had some good dirt in ya after that long break! Woooo Hoooo! I hope it’s somebody worth getting this excited about!
Shea Weber or Ryan Suter from Nashville for PMB?
Maybe Russo is wrong with what he’s hearing? Jokinen rumors have been pretty strong over the last few days.
I hope DR doesn’t screw this up. One of the Canadian papers wrote that Gillis should trade with the Wild because DR always gets the short-end of the stick.
On the Wild board someone mentioned PMB for Suter. Not bad– similar age, RFA, looking for similar contracts. I think he will eventually be a top 4 d-men.
RumorMeThis.com indicates the Penguins are reportedly in talks with a Western Conference team to send Evegeni Malkin out west…..
Phaneuf for Johnsson. Straight up
Ahh…I haven’t had a good hockey-boner in so long…thanks!
I wouldn’t mind taking a defenseman off Chicago’s hands…
Risedump is a moron.
You know it’s a deal that won’t work out well for the Mild. More dumpster-diving from Risedump.
Dump the Dumpper!! Fire Risedump now!
Totally un-Wild related, but here’s some fun with Associated Press typos:
“Crawford coached the Kings to a 164-59-84 record in his two seasons.”
Who sees what’s wrong with that sentence?
And no, it’s not “Crawford coached.” 
Marcus and Mike: Thank you!
Y’all both have a good sense of humor.
“Western Conference team to send Evegeni Malkin out west…..”
Honestly I hope it’s not the Wild. You want to talk about a playoff disappearing act.. Malkin got a really bad case of the invisibles this post season.
this post season.
No, just the Finals. He was battling with Sid for playoff scoring lead for a while. And for what it’s worth, reports surfaced that he’d been battling the flu after the conference finals and had trouble keeping food down. There was also much speculation that he got injured in Game 1 of the ECF, but haven’t heard anything more on that.
And besides… ahem, no, I won’t go there.
I would gladly accept Malkin here….
i think the Wild from the sounds of it May have Traded for either Brian Campbell from the Sharks or maybe Niklas Kronwall from the Red Wings?
Malkin did not disapear..you are thinking of our very own gaborik.
Let’s see… who could it be…
Western Conference defenseman…
Ron Hainsey from CBJ?
Matt Carle (the ‘Skoula of the Pacific’) from SJ?
One of Chicago’s young up’n'comers?
Nice to have some speculation finally! This does brighten up the afternoon! (Despite Mike being on here again…)
Brian Campbell would be nice to have, but he’s not even under contract, and I doubt the Wild can afford his next contract.
That is true Kevin, I guess I didn’t see much of him other than the final. If he was sick, I guess that is forgivable. I would welcome his scoring touch that is for sure, but I just hope his problem in the Finals was only because he was sick and not becaus he choked.
“Niklas Kronwall”
I would not be against that, depending on who the Wild released.
KIPA - I think the Kings played a lot of doubleheaders, which is how Crawford managed to squeeze over 300 games into his two seasons.
But I DO find the phrase “Crawford coached” more disturbing.
I do not think the wings would trade kronwall and i cant see the hawks trading keith or seabrook. I hope it isnt for hainsey or carle…please please be suter
The hour is almost up. OK, who does everyone have in the pool?
I’m going with Adrian Aucoin.
Two VERY good points, GG.
Austin: yeah, hopefully he was just sick, and didn’t choke, but I point out how good Detroit is. Malkin, who wasn’t even a shadow of himself (what’s darker than a shadow? like a black hole?) against the Wings, had 22 points in 20 games (19 in 14 before the finals).
Okay, the hour is up. Who’s it gonna be? I’m antsy!!
Watch, it’ll probably be the typical Wild deal. Someone’s 7th or 8th defenseman. LOL
I’d take Malkin in a new york minute.
But really I’m going with someone from Nashville (Klein, Suter, Koistinen.)
Hainsey is UFA, so is Campbell. Why trade for the rights to negotiate?
I’d take Kronwall though…he’s nice.
duncan keith
Anyone remember last year’s first acquisition?
What was it… Steve Kelly? >:-O
What about Pitkanen?
er…I wouldn’t want crosby or ovechkin either. They didn’t score in every single game this year. *crazy* I’d much rather have gabby. ahem…
I’ll go with Koistinen. I dunno who he is, but he is my guess.
i think koistinen is a good guess too
Ugh, Wallshot, you just took the wind out of my sails with that. Kelly… double ugh.
tick, tick, tick
I would die happy if it was gaborik for shea weber and a good draft pick
Well if its Koistinen it better be him and something else for PMB.
*jeopardy theme song*
Why trade for rights to negotiate: see ‘Flyers, Philadelphia: Vengeance NOW’ and you’ll see why. They traded with Nashville and then immediately signed two players (Scott Hartnell, Scotie Upshall) after the end of the season lats summer but before FA day.
I hope not Koistenen. I may be wrong, but I really don’t think much of him. Doesn’t stand out.
Robyn Regehr or Rhett Warriner from Calgary?
Koistinen? Why is everyone guessing him? Why would the Preds be trading him?
sunshine, it better not be PMB plus someone for a guy I have never heard of.
WRT: I said then and I maintain to this day that that Flyers-Preds trade you referenced was shady as hell. That trade was made because the Preds were going bankrupt/being sold. Hopefully we’ll never see that kind of deal again. Timonen was one of the players involved.
Russo, where are ya buddy.
See, this is the bad thing about setting times to anything. Now he’s 20 minutes late and people are up in arms. He should’ve just said “check back later.”
Why would we trade our best assist man for a defensiveman with 17 points on the year? I really hope that is not the case.
ATX: if it is PMB, we should be getting more than Koistnen back or DR is really the second worst GM after Milbury.
KiPA: You’re right. Hartnell was in the Forsberg deal. You got me there, Kevin.
I think it almost has to be Calgary, they have to clear LOTS of cap room for Kiprusoff and Iginla’s new contracts, plus try to keep Alex “I’ll shoot when I want to” Tanguay on the roster.
Don’t all trades have to be in by 4pm EST so they can approve of it? If its not, then they will have to wait until tomorrow.
You’re making me giggle, Austin!
AustinTXwildfan-
I believe Koistinen was given more limited play time due to the huge log jam nashville has on defense. From what i have read he is a fine player with a good shot from the point, can play on the PP, and hits.
Koistinen also only played in 48 games..
WRT: I only remember vividly because I was crying foul left and right. I hated seeing the Flyers get a chance to improve their wretched, pathetic, cheating, lousy, dirty team in any way, shape or form.
Any other team and I wouldn’t have remembered.
Ryan Suter will be with the wild
Kevin, I take it you’d like to see the Flyers get denuded of draft picks like the Cavaliers (of the 70’s) and Timber-chihuahuas (a few years ago) have in the NBA for un-proprietary actions. Didn’t mean you get your blood boiling…
It’s from Calgary, I tell you all…
Wild Road tripper I will bet anything it isnt coming from Calgary
I want them forced to play with a $5 million salary cap.
SUP BONE DIDLEYS?
This suspense is killing me..where are you RUSSO!!!
KiPA: Yeah, right. Just move ‘em across the parking lot for that to happen…the Phantoms kinda rolled over to the Baby Pens, losing 4 games to 1, correct?
2274: Don’t bet against me. You’ll lose…
Come on Russo, im going to have a stroke with the suspense over here.
My second guess would be Matthieu Schneider.
Wild road tripper they dont have any defensman the wild would want except Phanuef and we know that isnt happening
Marc Andre Bergeron???, Wow a big let down
I think one thing we have learned from this post is this: We have a lot of lurkers.
BERGERON???? nice job throwing our 3rd round pick away….wow
What a letdown. Well at least we still have PMB.
Hmmm.. Okay. Only gave up a third rounder… not bad I guess.
“Well at least we still have PMB.”
That’s right sunshine!
Bergeron was a huge spark to the Islanders power play after they acquired him last season but he was a healthy scratch repeatedly due to defensive blunders. I lost track of him after he left Long Island.
From what I know, he’s a PP specialist and that’s about it.
He’s even shorter. He’s only 5′10. I thought we were going for big strong d-men?
Sounds like another Marty… not really what we need. But I guess if he doesn’t blunder too much he won’t be bad.
Is he another Skoula???? Can we afford another Skoula??? I feel like I was robbed.
Bergeron for a 3rd rounder: fair trade for both sides. anaheim needs to stock up on young talent (they ain’t getting any younger, them Ducks) and we need servicible ‘D’ in the No. 4 & 5 slots (For now, Skoula is No. 6 on my Wild depth chart.)
Remember, Nummelin was also 5′10″…in his dreams…
I can hardly wait for this news?
You rubes who criticized the Wild for not scoring enough goals should be happy about this deal. Bergeron may not be Willie Mitchell back there on D, but he’s also not Willie Mitchell with the puck or on the power play. He has offensive skills and frankly, the Wild have needed an offensive-minded defenseman for a while. Ninth in the NHL in goals by defensemen over the past three years…that sounds okay to me. Now if Lemaire can just resist benching him every time he turns it over…
Eh. Foster’s understudy for a third-rounder.
Thanks Russo! Man I was thinking I had all summer at this new job and no Wild news, so something is definately better than nothing. Bergeron’s 27, a career -2 player but does put up the points, which helps. Figure in about 30-40 points in a full season. I’d say suitable for one of the bottom 3 D spots, get Lemaire to help him get some confidence and take care of his own end and it shouldn’t be a bad pick-up.
That was quite a “pop”, eh?
As far as salary goes: 1.2 mil and he’s only signed through 08-09
An underwhelming move, as I expected, but not necessarily a bad one.
Consider the Wild’s track record so far in the 3rd round… makes the deal look a lot better doesn’t it?
Its problemly a 09 pick since they traded our 08 3rd to Pitt when we picked up Moore
I wish Lemaire had hair left. I’d love to watch him pull it out over Bergeron’s defensive liabilities.
Or maybe he’ll teach the guy how to actually play defense. Ya never know.
MAB and Burns should be a hell of a backline on the PP though, or have one serve as QB for each unit.
You know KiPA…assuming we keep Roli. When Fozzie comes back…PP D looks like Burns/Roli and Fozzie/Berg….not too shabby. Man I need to go home from this place!
Exactly, Lemmi. So you’ve got that going for you. Which, you know, is nice.
Alright KiPA, quitting time, gotta go enjoy the 90 degree heat. (with no humidity I might add.) Have a good one!
Did anyone else load this story with a report that Reitz had been signed to a one way deal? When I hit refresh it was there, now with a new refresh, it’s gone…
Moore was for the 2007 3rd rounder.
I saw it grabbed on the Wild board. I guess that’s what Russo will be adding later. Reitz to a 1yr, one-way contract.
Toivo thanks for clearing that up
Yeah, Buddha. I’m actually more interested in that than the Bergeron news… Which is it, Russo?
Okay, Reitzy’s back in the post… Good.
Maybe the deal was not ready to announced yet…
My guess is Oli Jokinen acquisition for PMB and a pick (remember Russo and his Florida connections). Word is that Jokinen will be moved before the draft. Bergeron move means that Reitz will have to fight for a role again this year or they don’t plan on re-signing him.
Kevin in PA: From what I’ve seen of MAB which is a lot, he is a complement on the powerplay (big shot), he doesn’t seem to have the smarts to run the powerplay (ie. second unit QB).
You guys know… MAF’s offense will be killed b Lemaire.
Look at Johnssson… he was an offensive d-men in Philly. Now he is just a puck-moving D-men.
Jeff: you may be more right than me. I don’t know that I actually saw him play in person with the Isles, just putting up goals and assists, mainly on the PP.
Whoops, posted too fast I guess. Nice that they signed Reitz.
NOOOOOO!!! the goalie killer! MAB is the dude who broke Roli in Edmonton!
Ron Wilson to Toronto.
Bandgeek, from the last thread. Bad things sometimes happen to good people. Things will get better.
I have now calmed down a little bit. The coaches have their work cut out for them with MAF and Reitz. But, I think they will turn these guys into decent d-men. Just look at Foster. It took a year and half but he was getting so much better.
So we have about $17 million locked on 6 d-men (assuming that Reitz is about $1 million or less). We can afford a $4-$5 million cap hit d-men.
sunshine, maybe I’m missing something, but who is MAF?
Possibly the last pro hockey game of the season on the NHL Network right now. Go Wolves… I guess.
Thank you Iceman.
Sunshine you have to subtract about 1/2 a year from Fosters development due to a puck to the face (several times) and one to the throat so he really developed over a year… we will see what happens.
I have to go do dishes, I hate doing dishes.
I meant MAB. Typo. thanks for pointing that out.
MAF — I was use to typing MAF for Marc-Andre Fleury.
ok, look what lemaire taught willie mitchell, he did not know what the word ” defenseman ” was until lemaire got done with him, also if you watched the playoffs this year, look how good pascal dupuis was defensively, that was what he brought with him from mr lemaire. this was a depth move, but i like it, the guys got a monster shot and lemaire will show him how to play defense
Lost of speculation about PMB, don’t forget that Gabby could be the subject of trades too.
Sounds like we have another Skoula.
*lawlz* toivo- Yes. A good LOT of lurkers, I suspect.:D
Maybe the update for later is that the Wild have officially traded Martin Skoula to the Montreal Canadiens for a coffe maker and small aplliance to be named later. Oh… if only.
Maybe the update for later is that the Wild have officially traded Martin Skoula to the Montreal Canadiens for a coffee maker and small aplliance to be named later. Oh… if only.
Hmm. I guess I am a pessimist about adding an offensive minded defenseman to the Wild based on the history of them here.
Also, I know the success rate for the Wild in the third round is slim but this year has a lot of depth…I would have preferred to give up the third and something else for one of the young defensemen from Nashville.
wow…this blog blew up!
MAB - meh. Puts pressure on Skoula on the depth chart - though MAB will have to work his way into JL’s good graces to even compete with Marty for ice time as we all know.
Reitz - meh+. Good to see they had someone in the pipeline they think will help them out.
As long as they can take care of the back end and make that first outlet pass, I am happy. Let Burns be the offensive defensemen.
Johnsson might not be great offensively but he breaks up plays, makes great passes, and can start up the rush. He’s not physical but the little plays - lifting the stick or stealing the puck or during the penalty kill, hitting it down the ice without rimming it around the boards. These are great plays and has endeared him to me.
Yes, I would like to see more goals but he is great from our end to the offensive blue line. If MAB can be as good or even 2/3s as good, I will be very happy.
I like the MAB pickup. Given our 3rd round draft disasters, at least we are getting an NHL caliber player…even if it is only for one season.
Big, tough D men are NOT JL’s type of player. He stresses positioning (see Sean Hill) not re-arranging the end boards.
This is a pleasant surprise.
Maybe we’ll hear #10 is packing up tonight too…
I am one who is not ready for #10 to go anywhere….yet.
My hands are all dried out… stupid dishes.
I’m trying to keep an open mind about all trades, drafts, and contracts… I think the Mr is spiking my kool-ade….
The Wild will not be better defensively for acquiring Bergeron. He will not make the team stronger. Ask Craig MacTavish.
Those of you who are happy about this trade wont be for long after the season starts. The guy is a turn over machine especially in front of his own net. This guy will be no fit on a defensive mind team like the wild.
Signed,
An Oilers Fan.
Something to make you laugh. Listen to the interview of Josh, James, and Brad in I-Falls.
http://wild.nhl.com/fanzone/road_tour_08/blog/leg3.htm
There is a link under the Monday headline. Josh called James “Fat”.
I was cracking up.
M-A Bergeron??? Pencil him in as a fifth or sixth or seventh defenseman. No greater. I thought this was going to be a trade with some “pop”. Has he scored a lot of goals against us or something?
So far the defense looks like this:
Burns-Schultz
Johnsson-Skoula
Bergeron-Reitz
Well, atleast there’s six of ‘em. Anything else adds depth.
Christ, not even an AHL championship. Boo Chicago! I’m sure they cheated the whole series too.
We can’t put Reitz and Bergeron together. That will only result in goals against.
Schultz might have to be the grizzled veteran that will be paired with either Reitz or Bergeron.
Let’s hope DR gets us a gritty D-men.
Definitely need to get tougher on D. The pairings weren’t meant to be taken literally. I wouldn’t put Reitz and Bergie together either, but neither one is a top four defensemen, either. More needs to be added, until one or the other proves themselves worthy.
Sorry Kevin… Chicago was a really good team this year, all year. I hated playing them. Huge rival for the Aeros. But I definitely respect them.
Wow - take off work early and look what happens. To me, this is a sign that the future is now - giving up a 3rd round pick to get what DR sees as a perfect depth D-man. However, I am not sure another D-man acquisition wont be of the same type - I think DR is saving cap space for up front.
Yeah, ah well, Ms. C. My comment was obviously tongue-in-cheek. I didn’t see a minute of AHL hockey this season.
Adam, I hope you are wrong. My heart is set on a big, gritty defensemen.
Heck, if DR can make it happen, it will be Christmas in July — almost literally since most folks think our jerseys are holiday-like.
Mike,
Some one on the KFAN said that Rolston has his home up for sale. Is that true? Any updates?
Before we all go into the closet and pull out the poster of Rosie in her ass-less chaps over this move, the Wild simply took Anaheim’s #5 blueliner and turned him into our #4 blueliner, for the time being. The way it sounds Reitz is going to be signed to a 1-way deal, so that would appear to lock up 6 blueliners (when Fozzie is healthy). Unless something major happens comes post-July 1, it appears the Wild will try and save dollars for the front liners by going a little frugal on the back line, which would be fine becuase it was not the fault of the blueline that the team lost to the Avs in 6 games.
yeah I agree… I wouldn’t mind seeing them dump some more money into the forwards. Anaheim has a good blueline… so a #5 blueliner is probably a #3 or #4 on another team.. that sounds about right…
Bergeron stinks. Another dumpster diver move by Risedump. If Bergeron were any good at all you can count on the Ducks either keeping him or getting much more than a useless 3rd rounder for him I can assure you.
Dump the Dumpper!! Fire Risedump now!!
I figured, Kevin. My only point was that the baby pens shouldn’t feel bad for losing to the Wolves at all. They’re the Red Wings of the AHL this year. Just scary fierce. I watched most of the series and it was a battle. Kinda eerie the way those two series mirrored each other, too.
Gotcha, Ms. C. No shame at all. In fact, shock that the Baby Pens went as far as they did. Save for Goligoski, I don’t really think that team is loaded with prospects (they’re all in Pittsburgh).
Boys? The illustrious Andy here from OilFans.com, the pre-eminent NHL/Edmonton Oilers based site. Bergeron’s a joke of a player. Stock up on the Advil and vodka now. AY
Russo is a retard
Wild suck dick!!!!
Cupless
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wild fans are a bunch of faggots anyways, fuck them!
