Minnesota Wild Re-Sign Defenseman Steven Kampfer; Trade Rumors

Mar 11, 2012; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Steven Kampfer (38) carries the puck during the second period against the Calgary Flames at the Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

According to the team’s website, the Minnesota Wild have re-signed young blue liner Steven Kampfer.

Kampfer, 24, was acquired from Boston in the Greg Zanon trade on February 27, 2012. He notched four goals and 17 assists for 21 points and 28 penalty minutes in 55 games this past season with the AHL’s Houston Aeros. Between the Bruins and Wild, Kampfer has amassed seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 61 career NHL games. Standing at 5’11” and 194-pounds, the Ann Arbor, Michigan native was picked in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks.

In short, this is a very good move that provides good organizational depth for Minnesota. The new Iowa Wild fans will love watching this kid compete in Des Moines next season.

In other news, Minnesota is actively shopping forward Cal Clutterbuck and defenseman Tom Gilbert. According to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, the asking price for Clutterbuck is a second round pick and a prospect. This is no doubt a move that would enable Wild GM Chuck Fletcher to package two seconds for a first in tomorrow’s NHL Entry Draft. Fletcher is said to be very active in trade negotiations that would enable the Wild to move back into the first round. If Minnesota cannot find a new home for Gilbert, he’ll almost certainly be bought out by the club.

Tomorrow is going to be a very interesting day for Wild fans. While the club (currently) doesn’t have a first round pick, it does have its second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, in addition to two thirds and a seventh acquired via trade for a grand total of eight picks. Draft coverage starts at 2pm Eastern Time on NBC Sports Network and runs until 7pm before switching to NHL Network for the conclusion of the draft.