Mikko Koivu may finish pro career in Europe
Speculation has been mounting for some time that Mikko Koivu may be done in the NHL. The 37-year-old is on the final year of his contract with the Minnesota Wild which paid him $5.5 million per season. Amid declining production and ice time, it's doubtful Minnesota will offer him a new deal, even at a large reduction in salary.
According to Michael Russo, who covers Minnesota for The Athletic, Koivu considers his home country of Finland as an option to finish out his professional playing career.
"Something I keep hearing that Mikko Koivu confirmed when I asked: He would consider finishing his career in Finland if he still has fire left in his belly and doesn't re-sign with the Minnesota Wild," Russo posted to Twitter. "This is why I always refer to his 'NHL career' when I write about retirement option."
Koivu had his worst season since his rookie year in 2019-20, recording four goals and 21 points in 55 games. The current captain of the Wild has also dealt with injuries, playing just 48 games in the previous season.
Koivu was drafted sixth overall in 2001 and has played in 1028 NHL games since then, scoring 205 goals and 709 points. Should he choose to sign in Finland, HC TPS based in his hometown of Turku seems like a likely option. He played four seasons for the team from 2000 to 2004.
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YESTERDAY
MAY 20, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Dylan Coghlan | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nic Dowd | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Brett Howden | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Gabriel Landeskog | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Valeri Nichushkin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Rasmus Andersson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ross Colton | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Tomas Hertl | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ben Hutton | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mitch Marner | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Brandon Saad | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Colton Sissons | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Devon Toews | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Ahcan | - | - | - | |
| Ivan Barbashev | - | - | - | |
| Brent Burns | - | - | - | |
| Jack Drury | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||