Marek Zidlicky Trade Rumors Surface As Conflict With Coach Mike Yeo Grows

Read More: Marek Zidlicky (D - NJD), Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Minnesota Wild

Marek Zidlicky is not happy with the Minnesota Wild. The 34-year-old defenseman complained to the media earlier in the week after coach Mike Yeo sat him as a healthy scratch, saying that he "can't be quiet," and that if Yeo doesn't want to play him, he "has to do something."

Yeo told reporters, including Mike Russo at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, that taking the issue public wasn't the way to handle it. He claimed that Zidlicky wasn't buying in to the system, and that's what's contributed to his scratching. All of this boils up into trade talk, of course. Via the Star-Tribune:

General Manager Chuck Fletcher met with Zidlicky on Tuesday "about his status on the team, but I'd prefer to keep the contents of the conversation private."

There's no doubt Fletcher will investigate trading Zidlicky. If he finds a fit, Zidlicky can then decide whether to lift a no-trade, no-move clause that runs through the June 22-23 draft.

"That's, that's the option," Zidlicky said. "That's only what I'm thinking right now because I still love hockey. That's my whole life. Every player likes hockey and nobody likes to be healthy scratch three games, four games.

Does Zidlicky have any value around the league, however? There are plenty of teams looking for defense, but are they looking for 34-year-old, $4 million defense that's underperforming with its current team?

Fans of at least two teams have brought up the Zidlicky question. Peter Raaymakers at Senators blog Silver Seven sees plenty of value, as does Dominik at Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey. There's definitely interest, but it all comes down to what the Wild ask, of course. Do they just want to dish him off to the first bidder, or are they willing to keep a miserable guy around if the price isn't right? Here's Bryan Reynolds at Wild blog Hockey Wilderness on that subject:

Nailed down and told "give me a value," I would go with a late first round pick, or the early second rounder. THe situation has taken some of the leverage away from Fletcher, but at the same time, Zidlicky is under contract for another year, and his NMC expires after the draft. Still plenty of time to deal him after that.

Comes down to... how bad do you want to move him?

It certainly seems like the Wild want to move him. Will it happen before the deadline? 26 days of shopping left.