from Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune,

The Wild dumped Zach Parise and Ryan Suter so two other players could be protected in the expansion draft? True.

The Wild dumped the former franchise players because the team wanted to clear salary cap space for the upcoming season? Sure.

The Wild cut two players with four years remaining on their contracts because the players' performances had declined? OK.

Wild General Manager Bill Guerin wants to build a team led by the players he most values, and not those with the longest contracts? Sounds about right.

Guerin admitted or hinted at all of the above on Tuesday afternoon. He even praised Suter and Parise for their contributions. But let's not make this the State of Hokey.

For the Wild to make this move, to ditch two still-valuable players while the team's stated intention is to win as much and as soon as possible, team management really got sick of these guys.

Guerin probably offered to pack their bags, then drive them over the state line. Any state line. Even Alaska's.

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