Mikko Koivu addresses retirement rumours

It was a tough pill to swallow when the Minnesota Wild announced last week that the team will not re-sign Mikko Koivu for the upcoming season. General manager Bill Guerin made a statement on the club’s decision with many fans reacting strongly to losing their beloved captain.

Koivu has spent his entire career with the Wild since being drafted sixth overall in 2001. The 37-year-old forward has tallied 205 goals and 709 points in 1,028 career games with the team. He ranks first in Wild franchise history in games played, assists and points. In 2019-20, he posted four goals and 21 points in 55 games and was without a point in four games during the NHL’s Return to Play.

Many expected this to be the end of the road in the NHL for Koivu, however, the veteran forward addressed the rumours of retirement on Friday, stating that he was going back to Finland to train as if he would return next season in the NHL. 

“Mikko Koivu isn’t committing to retiring. Not yet at least. He plans to go back to Finland and train before making his final decision. The only thing we know at this point is he won’t play for the Wild next season.”

There is a no doubt that a team could still benefit from Koivu’s production and leadership on their roster. He is coming off of a two-year, $11 million contract signed with the Wild in 2017. He would certainly get a cheaper deal, even for just one year, but that could be what he needs to prove his career is not over yet. 

If not, then sure it might be time to hang up the skates, though Koivu is not giving up yet. 

“That’s something that I still have to think about, and be patient and see if the right opportunity comes — and you see if you can experience something that you haven’t,” Koivu said to the Star-Tribune on Friday. 

Playing in Finland is an option if NHL teams show no interest. Koivu has been the captain of the Finnish national team as well, and could keep playing there. 

Let’s see what happens when free agency opens in October.