NHL trades: Ilya Bryzgalov to Minnesota Wild; Viktor Fasth to Edmonton Oilers

The Minnesota Wild were after a goaltender. Jaroslav Halak and Martin Brodeur were in the mix, but in the end, the Universe centers on the State of Hockey.

Ilya Bryzgalov, the would-be cosmonaut who signed as a free agent in Edmonton in November after being bought out by Philadelphia in the offseason, has been traded to the Wild. A fourth-round pick heads back to the Oilers in the deal.

In a separate move, the Oilers acquired goaltender Viktor Fasth from the Anaheim Ducks, a team that had a ton of depth at the goaltending position and were expected to move somebody. TSN reports that the Ducks will get a 5th round pick and a 3rd round pick in return.

Bryzgalov’s contract is up at the end of the year, but the Wild hope that he’ll help them get over the hump and into the tight Western Conference playoff picture. He doesn’t really care about the money, though, since his buyout deal with the Flyers has him paid handsomely until ... well, basically forever.

Fasth, meanwhile, has another year left on his deal, which carries a $2.9 million hit against the salary cap. Fasth put up great numbers in 25 games with Anaheim during the shortened lockout year, earning him a two-year contract. But the 31 year old has only played 30 career NHL games and is a bit of a long-term question mark, especially given his age.

The trade deadline is still more than 24 hours away.