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Minnesota Wild Get Bergenheim in Trade With Panthers

By JP Powell

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Dec 13, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Sean Bergenheim (20) brings the puck into the Buffalo Sabres zone during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday the Minnesota Wild acquired forward Sean Bergenheim from the Florida Panthers.

This is the second trade in two months for the Minnesota Wild as they gear up for a run to the playoffs. At the start of play on Tuesday the Wild (who take on the Edmonton Oilers) have 69 points, one point ahead of the Calgary Flames. This is in large part to the acquisition of goalie Devan Dubnyk who has a sub 2.00 GAA since joining the Wild.

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The addition of Bergenheim is a boost to the Wild’s offensive line which is lacking Ryan Carter, Matt Cooke, and Jason Zucker, who are all out with injuries. Along with Bergenheim, the Wild also received the Panther’s 7th round draft pick in 2016.

This is a solid trade for both sides. Florida has been heading in a “youth movement” direction and Bergenheim, 31, doesn’t quite fit that mold. On top of that, and likely the bigger reason, Bergenheim has been disgruntled with the Panthers for some time and was a healthy scratch the last six games. In the deal, the Panthers received a 3rd round draft pick in 2016.

The Minnesota Wild will pick up the remaining $2.75 million on Bergenheim’s contract. But for a team that is on a hot streak and is climbing their way up the playoff standings, this is good move. They have more veteran leadership in the forward position now and a solid player helping them down the stretch run.

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    • Why Bergenheim Ened Up with Minnesota Wild

    The tension between Bergenheim and the Panthers  was apparently due to being a healthy scratch because of “lack of effort.”

    "I haven’t picked on [Bergenheim], if he gave me 100 percent [against the Wild], he’d be playing tonight. That’s fair. There’s a few guys that didn’t give 100 percent [Thursday], but you got to make a decision. I sat out games before. It definitely hurts you. I wish he would’ve played a lot better and scored. It’s like [Tomas Kopecky] … I don’t like sitting guys out."

    —

    Florida coach Gerard Gallant on player’s efforts

    Bergenheim’s agent, Todd Diamond, was outraged by these comments:

    "It’s so disingenuous, when has Sean Bergenheim ever taken a shift less than 100 percent. It’s unprofessional of the coach. You get away with that in the Quebec junior league, but not in the NHL. … You can’t tell me the team is better without Sean playing, even on the fourth line. He’s a disruptive force in the offensive zone, who keeps the puck and creates chaos. It’s a shame a guy makes that comment. It’s a disgrace. I find it distasteful. … If they want to question Sean’s character they should have their head examined."

    Nine days ago Diamond requested a trade for Bergenheim to Florida Panthers’ GM Dale Tallon after Bergenheim was scratched for three straight games. Bergenheim continued to be scratched while Tallon looked for a trade partner. On Tuesday Bergenheim was granted his wish and now finds himself on another playoff caliber team with the Minnesota Wild.

    For more on this trade, visit FanSided Minnesota Wild site Puck Gone Wild.

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