Here is the story as of now

It looks like Olli Jokinen is headed to Phoenix in a deal for Minnesotan Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton.

FYI, major wireless issues here. Right now, I’m on dial up, so you might not see blogging until well after the Draft.

Now we’re sharing wireless as writers. It’s very civil. Thought I’d sneak on while Newsday’s Greg Logan deals with the Isles’ draft pick.

Obviously, Jokinen deal is done and the Panthers get Keith Ballard, the stud former Gopher. Very good trade for both teams, and no doubt, Bouchard’s contract status hurt the Wild and the fact Jacques Martin has been craving defensemen for months. And it’s a Jay Bouwmeester insurance policy in case he squeezes his way out of there by playing hardball, which I’m told is a big possibility.

I think Jake Gardiner goes to Anaheim, which shows great interest in the former Minnetonka star, at 17. Ottawa wanted him at 18, and poof, all of sudden Anaheim shows up at 17.

FYI, Doug Risebrough and owner Craig Leipold are huddling alone in a tunnel chatting as we speak. Risebrough’s got his glasses on and they’re going over papers. I’m thinking of walking over and yelling, “Hey, what are you talking about?”

Think they’ll tell me?

Risebrough is now chatting with New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello. Just speculation, but maybe Wild is thinking of moving up. Devils have the 21st pick, three ahead of the Wild.

Risebrough is now talking to Washington’s GM, George McPhee. Caps are at 23, so clearly there must be a player the scouts want to make certain they get.

Ottawa at 15 now. Possibly Gardiner?

Nope.

Gardiner to Ducks at 17

Wild traded 24 and next years third to jersey for 23.

Significant price to move one spot up, eh?

We will find out later why.

Wild has taken from the hometown Ottawa 67a, Tyler Cuma, a defenseman.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 5:26 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.