Player Discussion Mikko Koivu (Part II)

[Digitalbooya]

This morning on the radio Yeo said he possibly plays tonight. Depends on how sore he is when he comes in this morning.

Well that is excellent news! Nothing too serious it seems.

 

[gphr513]

Tough as nails!

That's good to hear. I was definitely worried when they said he was going to the hospital.

 

[123TripleDoge]

Fantastic news. Hope it's nothing that can linger or get re-injured

 

[Jesus comma Brodin]

Confirmed to play

 

[Generic User]

Yusssssss...

 

[Wild11MN]

Dodged a bullet on that one.

 

[W75]

Phew.

Bad looking collision, leaves the game, coughing blood, is being sent straight to hospital... -> plays in the next game.

Keep your women and daughters inside folks, Kaptain Koivu is coming to town!

 

[Lapa]

So Koivu is 2nd in successful defensive plays (forward) on the even strength in the league.

 

[Fremitus Borealis]

Funny, I was just thinking how he'd seemed to have crashed back to Earth over the last couple games. Really hoping he's not feeling residual effects from his... well... actual crash that sent him to the hospital.

 

[57special]

Yup, he hasn't looked right since that collision.

 

[Randy BoBandy]

So Koivu is 2nd in successful defensive plays (forward) on the even strength in the league.

What constitutes a successful defensive play?

 

[Ladde]

I would guess takeaways and blocked shots but there might be more. (Even faceoff wins?)

 

[Nharris31]

Strip the c

 

[57special]

With the approach of winter, our Captain is awakening from his slumber, and once again scoring clutch goals.

All Hail, the Captain!

 

[123TripleDoge]

21/23 faceoffs last game right? That's cray

 

[Engebretson]

21/23 faceoffs last game right? That's cray

I'll admit I give Mikko more flak than I should, but he is a face-off guru (when he doesn't get kicked out of the circle)

 

[57special]

I went from thinking he was the best unknown player to the league> an underperforming slug> Underrated player with slug-like tendencies.

He seems to get injured less now, and while his lack of speed and shooting limits his offense, he is near elite in other areas.

 

[THE JAM]

So... the Captain is officialy in Beast Mode again and people saying that he is not worthy, declining and overpaid have to crawl back to their caves to wait for another opportunity to bash the guy

In other news: Parise is back and looking like Parise again!

The pessimists have to come back next season, it's gonna be fun to watch further developments...

 

[TaLoN]

With Koivu not being asked to be the team's #1 center anymore... I think his career has been rejuvenated to the point where he can maintain his current level of play for another 4-5yrs.

He's never been a fast guy, but you put two fast guys on his wings like this and he doesn't have to be. He has always had the smarts to get to the right place at the right time, and now he's doing exactly that. He's always been in great shape, so not worried about that.

I think he's going to be good for quite some time yet for us!

 

[57special]

Yeah, I think Zucker's speed is a perfect match for his size and savvy.

 

[Nharris31]

Strip the C

 

[MuckOG]

With Koivu not being asked to be the team's #1 center anymore... I think his career has been rejuvenated to the point where he can maintain his current level of play for another 4-5yrs.

He's never been a fast guy, but you put two fast guys on his wings like this and he doesn't have to be. He has always had the smarts to get to the right place at the right time, and now he's doing exactly that. He's always been in great shape, so not worried about that.

I think he's going to be good for quite some time yet for us!

He'll be 35 years old when his current contract expires. By then, he'll probably be slotted down to 3rd or 4th line center and a face-off specialist.

What will he worth then? I'm not sure I would give him a multi-year deal...and if I did, it definitely wouldn't be more than a 2 year deal.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

 

[Wild11MN]

So many people are counting down the days to get rid of him, but he's still such an important player to this team. Unless he dips dramatically the next few years, they should probably extend him after his contact is up. Cheaper price obviously. Too far down the road to get too speculative at this point though.

 

[MuckOG]

So many people are counting down the days to get rid of him, but he's still such an important player to this team. Unless he dips dramatically the next few years, they should probably extend him after his contact is up. Cheaper price obviously. Too far down the road to get too speculative at this point though.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm not looking to get rid of him. I'm just wondering what the plan will be when his current contract expires. He will be 35 by then and I wouldn't want to see the Wild get tied down with another multi-year contract for an aging veteran.