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Wild’s Zidlicky waives no-trade clause for New Jersey, no deal yet (Updated)

Minnesota Wild v Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 1: Marek Zidlicky #3 of the Minnesota Wild battles for a loose puck with Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings during their NHL game at Joe Louis Arena November 1, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

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Marek Zidlicky’s sulking days in Minnesota may soon be at an end.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported this morning that Zidlicky has waived his no-trade clause to go to New Jersey. Michael Russo of the Star Tribune confirms Dreger’s report with Zidlicky’s agent but says that there is no deal done as of yet between the two teams.

Zidlicky’s time in Minnesota of late has been strained. Zidlicky has been a healthy scratch often of late by coach Mike Yeo, something that didn’t sit well with the defenseman. Zidlicky ripped Yeo saying that he just wanted to play easy hockey. Yeo took the high road in saying that Zidlicky didn’t handle things the right way.

One note Russo made with how things have been with Zidlicky is how the Wild play when he’s in and out of the lineup. Over the last 21 games Zidlicky has played, the Wild have gone 2-14-5 and they’re 13-4-0 in the last 17 without him. Whether that’s a coincidence or Zidlicky is a jinx is up to you to decide, but those numbers are silly.

New Jersey’s interest is curious here as Zidlicky has one more year left on his deal that comes with a $4 million cap hit. Zidlicky isn’t too impressive defensively but bringing him in as a puck mover might help with Henrik Tallinder and Adam Larsson being banged up.

If you’re curious if his contract might be a stress in getting Zach Parise signed, GM Lou Lamoriello has already said that the Devils’ financial situation won’t affect negotiations there.

Update (10:58 a.m.): Michael Russo spoke with Wild GM Chuck Fletcher who says that he hasn’t asked Zidlicky to waive his NTC for any specific deal.

“I can tell you for sure I’m planning on talking to other teams. We haven’t traded Zid, we haven’t made the decision to trade Zid at this point. I have not formally asked him to do anything because at this point I honestly don’t have anything to take to him, I don’t have anything for him to say yes or no too.”

Fletcher clearly doesn’t want to be held to dealing with just one team here which is just helping make this whole situation that much stranger.