Breaking News: Minnesota Aquires Cam Barker for Johnsson, Leddy

Minnesota GM Chuck Fletcher has announced that the Wild have aquired defenseman Cam Barker from Chicago in excahnge for Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy.

"I thank Kim Johnsson for his efforts and contributionsto the Wild's success ov er the last four seasons," Fletcher said.

"We are very excited to add Cam Barker to our team. It is difficult to obtain a 23 year old defenseman with Cam's size and talent."

Barker, 23, has recorded 14 points and 58 penalty minutes in 51 games this season with Chicago.

A Native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Barker comes with speed and size. The 6'3", 215 lb. defenseman will add some more grit and power to a blue line that is remarkably undersized.

"Im happy to be coming to Minneapolis", Barker said in a tele-conference.

"They have a great mix of guys, its a great opportunity to play more minutes and put some points up."

Barker will be replacing Johnsson who was one of the team leaders in on-ice time with over 20 minutes a game.

Cam comes from a division leading Blackhawks team to the Wild who are fighting for a playoff spot.

"Trades do happen, its part of the business."

Barker does see it as a good opportunity to help out and mentioned that a change of scenery might help his falling numbers from last season.

Minnesota has already seen a positive trade when Guillamme Lantendresse was picked up from Montreal in November and his numbers sky rocketed.

Cam may have the biggest impact with Minnesota's powerplay which has struggled throughout the course of the year and had 24 of his 24 assists on the powerplay last year which was ranked sixth in the league.

"Ive always been a power-play quarterback kind of a guy".

He will not arrive in the Twin Cities until Saturday morning, which means he will not be play tonight against Atlanta but will play Sunday against Vancouver.

Barker was originally selected by Chicago third overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Johnsson has recorded 281 points in 731 NHL ganes with the New York Rangers, Philadelphia, and Minnesota.

Minnesota also gives up first round pick Nick Leddy from the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Former Mr. Hockey Minnesota and a native of Eden Prarie, Minnesota, Leddy has recorded five points in his freshman year with the University of Minnesota.

A press conference has been scheduled for 6:15 PM tonight with Wild GM Chuck Fletcher from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.