Bruins acquire Fernandez

The Minnesota Wild traded longtime goaltender Manny Fernandez to the Boston Bruins today.

The Wild, who wanted to unload Fernandez's $4.33 million salary after signing goalie Niklas Backstrom to a two-year deal this spring, are expected to receive 6-foot-1, 192-pound forward Petr Kalus plus a future fourth-round pick in the NHL draft.

— St. Paul Pioneer Press

A nice move for both clubs, actually, given the Wild have two solid netminders with Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding and the Bruins are desperate for a true No. 1 to really turn things around for the franchise.

Boston is going to be in tough again in a difficult Northeast Division, but Fernandez should be enough of an upgrade to at least make the team competitive for a playoff spot next year.

Kalus isn't much of a return, although the Wild were in a difficult spot given other clubs knew they were looking to deal a disgruntled Fernandez and his big contract in order to free up cap space. There's a chance Minnesota suddenly becomes a player in the free agency market now, given they've freed up considerable dollars with this move.