Breaking News

[JiriHrdina]

Breaking news out of Florida as reports are that the Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild have a completed a major deal involving as many as 8 players.

Could The Wild finally have granted disgruntled centre Alexei Yashin his wish and traded him?

Stay tuned for details as they become available.

[JiriHrdina]

Twin City Times

August 26, 2004

Alexei Sent Packing.

After a series of intense negotiations, The Wild finally found the deal they were looking for. Late Wednesday, the organization finally dealt Alexei Yashin to the Florida Panthers in a major 8 player deal, a full 2 months after Yashin demanded a trade from the Minnesota Wild.

The centrepiece of the package (pending league approval at press time) coming back to the Wild is star winger Alexei Kovalev. Minnesota also receives Jan Hrdina, Paul Healey, Robert Reichel and cash considerations.

Joining Yashin on their way to Florida are Mike Knuble, Randy Robitaille, and prospect Greg Campbell.

Farhall commented on the deal and what it means for his club:

”The bottom line is we want guys on our team that want to be here. Alexei made it clear that he didn’t want to be part of this club so we did our best to accommodate his wishes. But we weren’t going to give him away for nothing. This package made a lot of sense for us. We get a premiere winger in Kovalev, a versatile skilled forward in Hrdina who will play centre for us, and two good depth players. And we keep within our budget.”

The inclusion of Robert Reichel is somewhat surprising as the centre’s eligibility for CPHL play next season is in question. However, Farhall explained that the deal includes a stipulation that will see Randy Robitaille returned to the Wild should Reichel be deemed ineligible.

With the trading of Robitaille, only two players remain on the Wild team from when Farhall took over the GM duties – injured blueliners Joel Bouchard and Jason Doig, and Farhall offered neither player any assurances that they would not be dealt.

When asked what his priorities are moving forward Farhall suggested that he would be looking to upgrade his back up goaltending position if the opportunity came available.