Mikko Koivu

Fantasy News

• Mikko Koivu: Announces retirement

  Rotowire Feb 9, 2021

  Koivu announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday. In his statement, Koivu stated that he wasn't able "to get to the level of play that I need to be true to myself and fair to my teammates, so the time is right for me to retire from hockey." Koivu played 15 seasons for the Wild before signing with the Blue Jackets last offseason, suiting up in just seven games for the latter team. In total, the Finnish center produced 206 goals and 505 assists over 1,035 games.

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• Blue Jackets' Mikko Koivu: Notches assist in CLM debut

  Rotowire Jan 27, 2021

  Koivu recorded an assist on his first shift as a Blue Jacket during Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Panthers. The veteran center had a delayed start to the season due to a positive COVID-19 test, but Koivu was able to make a contribution right away once he was cleared to play. The Jackets need center depth with Pierre-Luc Dubois now in Winnipeg, but Koivu is still highly unlikely to fill a top-six role at this stage of his career.

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• Blue Jackets' Mikko Koivu: Set to debut Tuesday

  Rotowire Jan 23, 2021

  Koivu (COVID-19 protocols) will make his Blue Jackets debut Tuesday against the Panthers, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports. Koivu has been sidelined for Columbus' first five games of the campaign due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols, and he'll miss Saturday's game against Tampa Bay as well, but he'll make his season debut Tuesday against Florida. The 37-year-old pivot, who tallied 21 points in 55 games with Minnesota last campaign, will likely slot into a bottom-six role against the Panthers.

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• Blue Jackets' Mikko Koivu: Absence clarified

  Rotowire Jan 13, 2021

  Koivu is unavailable due to the league's COVID-19 protocols. It was reported earlier Wednesday that Koivu was set to miss Thursday's game against Nashville, and he's now had that absence clarified. It's unclear when Koivu will gain clearance, but he won't be able to practice or travel with the team for now. Expect Riley Nash to center the fourth line with Alexandre Texier taking over the third-line center spot.

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• Blue Jackets' Mikko Koivu: Unavailable for opener

  Rotowire Jan 13, 2021

  Koivu (undisclosed) won't play in Thursday's season opener against the Predators, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. The veteran center was brought in this offseason from Minnesota to bolster Columbus' depth up the middle, but Koivu apparently isn't ready to make his Jackets debut just yet. Riley Nash will center the fourth line Thursday, with Alexandre Texier anchoring the third line. in Koivu's place.

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• Blue Jackets' Mikko Koivu: Skating with team Sunday

  Rotowire Jan 10, 2021

  Koivu (undisclosed) practiced with the team Sunday, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports. After being unfit to participate Saturday, Koivu is back in action Sunday. The 37-year-old is with a team other than Minnesota for the first time since entering the league in 2005. He's seeking a third-line role with the Blue Jacket after posting a career-low 21 points over 55 games last year.

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• Blue Jackets' Mikko Koivu: Unfit to participate

  Rotowire Jan 9, 2021

  Koivu (undisclosed) has been deemed unfit to participate in Saturday's practice, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. Koivu was one of many Columbus players held out of practice Friday "out of an abundance of caution" related to COVID-19, but the Blue Jackets likely won't be releasing any details regarding the reason for Saturday's absence. Additional updates regarding the veteran pivot's status should surface in the coming days.

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• Blue Jackets' Mikko Koivu: Pens deal in Columbus

  Rotowire Oct 10, 2020

  Koivu signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Blue Jackets on Saturday, Rick Dhaliwal of TSN 1040 Vancouver reports. Koivu was a legend in Minnesota, racking up 709 points over 1,028 games and adding another 28 points over 59 postseason contests. The Wild are rebuilding and moving on from their captain, so Koivu will get a fresh start in Columbus. He'll likely slot in as the third-line center with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Max Domi handling top-six duties, but the 37-year-old could earn some power-play minutes as well. Koivu posted a career-low 21 points over 55 games last season, and if he indeed stays in the bottom six, his fantasy outlook is low.

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• Mikko Koivu: Won't be re-signed by Minnesota

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2020

  General manager Bill Guerin announced Friday that the Wild will not re-sign Koivu this offseason. Guerin made it clear that injecting youth into Minnesota's lineup will be a priority this offseason when he traded Eric Staal to Buffalo in exchange for Marcus Johansson on Wednesday, so the fact that he won't attempt to re-sign Koivu doesn't really come as a surprise. The 37-year-old pivot probably won't garner much interest on the open market, so if he wants to continue playing, he may have to do so in his native Finland. If Koivu has indeed played his last NHL contest, he'll finish his career having racked up 205 goals and 504 assists in 1,028 games, all with the Wild.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Open to playing overseas

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2020

  Koivu would consider playing in his native Finland if he doesn't have any NHL options this summer, per Michael Russo of The Athletic. Koivu is set to hit the free-agent market this summer and is 37 years of age, so the idea of him hanging it up in the NHL certainly isn't out of left field. The veteran was limited to just 55 games this year, in part due to injury, and recorded his lowest point total (21) since his rookie season back in 2005-06. If the center is willing to accept a significantly reduced cap hit compared to the $5.5 million he cost Minnesota this season, there could be a handful of teams interested in signing him.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Delivers assist Thursday

  Rotowire Mar 6, 2020

  Koivu managed an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Sharks. The Finnish center picked up a helper on Ryan Suter's opening tally in the first period. Koivu now has 21 points, 71 shots and a plus-5 rating in 53 games. He's played in a mostly bottom-six role this year -- Koivu isn't likely to earn much fantasy attention at this stage in his career.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Another two-point night

  Rotowire Feb 28, 2020

  Koivu dished out two assists in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Red Wings. After scoring two goals in his last game, Koivu took on more of a playmaking role in this one. The 36-year-old Finn is best left on the waiver wire despite his four points in the last two games, as it took him 25 games to amass his previous four points.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Finds the net twice

  Rotowire Feb 25, 2020

  Koivu scored a pair of goals on his only two shots in a 5-4 win over Columbus on Tuesday. Koivu's goals came just under eight minutes apart in the second period and staked the Wild to a 4-1 lead. They were just the third and fourth goals of the season for the 36-year-old, who has experienced a steady decline in offensive production in each of the last four years.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Staying in Minnesota

  Rotowire Feb 22, 2020

  Koivu relayed that he doesn't want to leave Minnesota, implying he won't lift his no-move clause ahead of Monday's trade deadline, Darren Dreger of TSN reports. The Wild may have been shopping Koivu with an uphill battle to make the playoffs, but it appears the 36-year-old captain won't agree to such a move. Koivu has been with the team since entering the league and played his 1,000th game this season. The Wild are only three points out of a playoff spot at the time of the report.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Enduring scoring slump

  Rotowire Feb 10, 2020

  Koivu has accumulated one assist, nine shots and seven blocks while averaging 13:51 of ice time in his past 10 games. The strong play has slowed for the Finn, who's battled illness and a lower-body injury this campaign. Since returning to the lineup Dec. 31 from his lower-body issue, Koivu has just two assists across 13 games. He has just 14 points, 59 shots and 25 blocks through 41 games this season, evidence that he's hardly a reliable fantasy performer going forward.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Held off scoresheet in return

  Rotowire Jan 22, 2020

  Koivu (illness) had two blocked shots and two PIM in 14:03 during Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Red Wings. Koivu missed two games due to illness. He wasn't able to make an impact on the scoresheet Wednesday. The Finn has 13 points, 56 shots on goal and 16 PIM through 36 games, which makes him an unreliable producer in fantasy circles.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Will play Wednesday

  Rotowire Jan 21, 2020

  Koivu (illness) will be back in action versus the Red Wings on Wednesday, Sarah McLellan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Koivu missed the previous two contests due to his illness and has been sidelined for a total of 14 games this year. Prior to being on the shelf, the center was bogged down in an 18-game goal drought dating back to Nov. 9 against Arizona. Additionally, the Finn is pointless in his previous six tilts despite averaging 16:00 of ice time in those outings.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Sitting out Monday

  Rotowire Jan 20, 2020

  Koivu (illness) won't play in Monday's game versus the Panthers, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. The Wild captain was able to participate in Monday's morning skate, but he'll remain out of the lineup as the team tries for its third straight win. Victor Rask has bumped up to the second-line center role in Koivu's place. Koivu will aim to get back in the fold for Wednesday's matchup versus the Red Wings.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Out with illness

  Rotowire Jan 18, 2020

  Koivu is ill and will miss Saturday's game versus the Stars. Minnesota's captain will sit out but shouldn't miss too much time with what the team is calling an illness. Ryan Donato will dress in Koivu's place. The Wild next play Monday, so Koivu has a couple of days to get back to full health.

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• Wild's Mikko Koivu: Activated from IR

  Rotowire Dec 30, 2019

  The Wild activated Koivu (lower body) from injured reserve Monday. Koivu hasn't played since Dec. 3 but will make his return for Tuesday's game against Toronto. The veteran forward has 12 points in 28 games this season and should return to a middle-six role for Minnesota.

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