While Canada awaits word of whether or not Steven Stamkos will be healthy enough to suit up for their team in Sochi, another country is also awaiting word on if their star player will be available for the Olympic Games. The country is Finland, and the star player is Mikko Koivu, the captain and first line centre of the Minnesota Wild, who, if healthy is expected to take on both those roles for his country’s national side as well.
Koivu has been out of action since suffering a broken ankle in a game January 4th against the Washington Capitals. The injury required surgery, and only recently has Koivu been able to resume skating with the team (though in a non-contact jersey).
Koivu recently re-affirmed his desire to to represent his country in the games. “It always matters (to play ahead of time), but if not so be it,” Koivu said, per the Pioneer Press. “I think in my situation being off right now, not playing any games, it’s going to be good for me to play some games and practice with the team first off.”
Wild Coach Mike Yeo said he wouldn’t stand in Koivu’s way if he wanted to play for Finland, even if he is unable to play in an NHL game before the break. “Even if he’s medically cleared but physically the pain is too much to bear — we’re talking about a great warrior and a guy who plays the game extremely hard, so that’s all going to play into it,” Yeo said in a piece on NHL.com. “I don’t want to put words into his mouth. I just know he wants to play. He wants to be over there, he wants to represent his country and he also wants to look out for the best interest for our team.”
All that said, when it comes to Koivu’s Olympic status it is not Yeo who has the final say for the Wild. The input of general manager Chuck Fletcher, as well as that of the team’s medical staff will go a long way in helping to make the decision of whether or not the Wild will send their Finnish star to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Games. With Minnesota in the midst of a playoff race, they certainly would like to ensure that one of the best two-way centres in hockey is in their lineup down the stretch.
Koivu has eight goals and 35 points in 44 games for the Wild this season. At the time of the injury, he was leading the team in points.
Finland’s first game is February 13th against Austria. With final Olympic lineups due only two hours before the team’s first game, this is one decision that could go right down to the wire. The Finnish team could opt to bring Koivu to Russia, along with another player as a backup plan. Canadian fans may remember that when Ryan Getzlaf was questionable for the Vancouver games, Jeff Carter was brought to the Olympics by Hockey Canada as their “standby player” if Getzlaf couldn’t go. We could see the same situation play out with Koivu and the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation.
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Main Photo Credit: HYOSUB SHIN, AJC.COM
