O’Sullivan Returns

Patrick O’Sullivan, a former 2nd round pick of Minnesota was re-acquired when the Wild claimed him off waivers Tuesday. After scoring 47 goals for the Houston Aeros in the 2005-2006 season he was featured as a apart of the deal to acquire Pavol Demitra from the Los Angeles Kings.

O’Sullivan has taken the long road from Houston to Minnesota, going through Manchester, LA, Carolina, Edmonton, Phoenix, back to Carolina before finally making it to Minnesota. (Granted, his first stop in Carolina and the stop in Phoenix were mere formalities for the purpose of moving him elsewhere.) He had his best season in 2007-08 when he scored 22 goals and 31 assists for the Los Angeles Kings.

O’Sullivan was a player with a lot of potential who would have been a 1st Round pick if not for concerns about his personal life. He looked great in Houston and was starting to make headway in Los Angeles, but since then his career has been in a tailspin. That said he could provide some badly needed offensive skill for the Wild. And, when it comes down to it, really the Wild have nothing to lose by claiming him off waivers. If he succeeds, great. If he doesn’t, he’s making 600k and has a two-way deal. Worst case, the Wild send him down to Houston or lose him on waivers. And the ultimate plus- they gave up nothing to get him.