By Rachel Blount

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Mikko Koivu considers himself blessed. Not many professional athletes get to play an entire career for a franchise and city they love, and the two-year, $11 million contract extension he signed Monday will push his tenure with the Wild past his 37th birthday.

Just as Koivu can’t imagine himself anywhere else, General Manager Chuck Fletcher said he can’t imagine where the Wild would be without him. That’s why it required only a few phone calls to conclude negotiations that Fletcher called “painless.” Koivu’s loyalty to the Wild has made the Finnish captain its “flag in the ground,” Fletcher said, turning a non-playoff team into an attractive destination for other talented players.

The center said the two-year term is ideal, because he likes the motivation of working toward the next contract. Fletcher said the duration and value are good for the Wild, too, leaving room under the salary cap for future deals.

Koivu didn’t want talks to continue during the season, so he was relieved to reach an agreement this week. So was Fletcher, who gives the center much of the credit for the roster the Wild has assembled.