The Wild return to action and it’s trade deadline day! The Wild aren’t expected to make any moves but that didn’t stop Michael Russo from stirring the pot a bit hahaha

10:22 p.m. EST: Our first bit of trade deadline-instigated hilarity today, as Michael Russo of the Star Tribune tweets “Robbie Earl on his way to Calgary” with regard to the Minnesota Wild AHL player. As in “called up to the Wild, who plays in Calgary.”

Naturally, this Twitter news was quickly turned around by “insiders” as being a trade. Which it wasn’t. Which makes this the kind of thing we’ll see about 10,000 times before the end of the day.

Best news of the morning with regard to a possible blockbuster: Darren Dreger of TSN reports that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray(notes) “has softened…won’t go to a Canadian team, but will waive for 19 other teams.”

Link

The Minnesota Wild have signed defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Clayton Stoner to contract extensions.

Zidlicky’s three-year extension is worth an average of $4 million per year, several sources told ESPN.com. Zidlicky’s deal carries a partial or limited no-trade clause.

Stoner signed a two-year extension. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Both Zidlicky and Stoner were to be restricted free agents this summer. Zidlicky would almost certainly have been moved in advance of the March 3 trade deadline had the deal not been closed.

General manager Chuck Fletcher told ESPN.com on Tuesday that he wanted to keep Zidlicky in the fold but that he needed to get a deal done that day. It did.

Zidlicky, a member of the Czech Olympic team, has 36 points in 60 games this season for the Wild.

The 25-year-old Stoner has two assists in eight games. He is on injured reserve after hernia surgery.

Fletcher will likely continue to get calls on a number of his players who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents, including veteran Owen Nolan and Eric Belanger.

Link

The Wild and defenseman Marek Zidlicky have hit a potential snag in contract negotiations that could derail the whole thing and cause him to be traded by Wednesday’s 2 p.m. deadline.

According to multiple sources, a three-year contract with the veteran is all but complete.

However, Zidlicky is insisting on a no-trade clause to be included for the life of the contract.

The Wild has scoffed at that notion because of Zidlicky’s age. He turned 33 on Feb. 3, and the Wild so far has been willing to offer Zidlicky a no-trade clause for only part of the contract.

The Wild wants to extend the pending free agent’s contract, but if neither side budges, Zidlicky likely would be traded by Wednesday.

Teams have shown interest in Zidlicky and fellow potential free agent Owen Nolan, sources say. It also is believed the Wild would be willing to trade center Eric Belanger.

Link

That is all

Sidney Crosby scores on short breakaway goal in OT, Canada wins 3-2.

Parise puts the puck past Luongo with 24 seconds remaining to make it 2-2.