http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/players/matt_cullen/4927 Recent articles about Matt Cullen en-us ST. PAUL, Minn. One is the longest tenured member of the Minnesota Wild. One is the oldest member of the team to play more than eight games this season. Together, they were two-thirds of one of Minnesota's top lines this season at times, and when they were going strong was when the Wild were at their best. The cases of Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Matt Cullen will be interesting this offseason. Each can play center and wing, and each has offensive talent that Minnesota could use. Each is also an unrestricted free agent and their return to the Wild is not a certainty. Bouchard and Cullen join goaltender Niklas Backstrom, forward Stephane Veilleux and defensemen Justin Falk and Brett Clark as unrestrictred free agents. "With the cap going down, obviously you're not going to be able to keep your entire team," general manager Chuck Fletcher said at his season-ending press conference. "We know that. We're going to have to make some choices and there's some areas we want to improve anywa Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:41:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/questions_remain_for_wild_free_agents_bouchard_cullen/13750931 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/questions_remain_for_wild_free_agents_bouchard_cullen/13750931 Questions remain for Wild free agents Bouchard, Cullen http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/questions_remain_for_wild_free_agents_bouchard_cullen/13750931 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ST. PAUL, Minn. One is the longest tenured member of the Minnesota Wild. One is the oldest member of the team to play more than eight games this season. Together, they were two-thirds of one of Minnesota's top lines this season at times, and when they were going strong was when the Wild were at their best. The cases of Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Matt Cullen will be interesting this offseason. Each can play center and wing, and each has offensive talent that Minnesota could use. Each is also an unrestricted free agent and their return to the Wild is not a certainty. Bouchard and Cullen join goaltender Niklas Backstrom, forward Stephane Veilleux and defensemen Justin Falk and Brett Clark as unrestrictred free agents. "With the cap going down, obviously you're not going to be able to keep your entire team," general manager Chuck Fletcher said at his season-ending press conference. "We know that. We're going to have to make some choices and there's some areas we want to improve anywa Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:41:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/questions_remain_for_wild_free_agents_bouchard_cullen/13750928 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/questions_remain_for_wild_free_agents_bouchard_cullen/13750928 Questions remain for Wild free agents Bouchard, Cullen http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/questions_remain_for_wild_free_agents_bouchard_cullen/13750928 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ST. PAUL, Minn. Matt Cullen was just trying to keep the puck in the Minnesota Wild's possession while lying on his stomach behind the Chicago Blackhawks net in overtime on Sunday. Cullen, one of Minnesota's few playoff-savvy veterans, poked the puck out to forward Jason Zucker, the high-energy, speedy forward playing in just his third NHL postseason game. Zucker, who has brought his shoot-first mentality to the Wild in his young career, thought only one thing: put the puck on net. Cullen, watching from his stomach, didn't expect a shot. But Zucker, 21, has been anything but timid in his first NHL playoff series. "That play there, a lot of guys probably wouldn't have even shot that," Cullen said. "But he's got that nose for the net. He easily could have won that first game, he hit the bar in overtime and it could be an awfully different series. He's a goal scorer and it's nice to have that." Zucker had a prime chance in overtime in the series' first game Sun, 05 May 2013 20:44:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/zucker_providing_late_game_spark_for_wild/13556267 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/zucker_providing_late_game_spark_for_wild/13556267 Zucker providing late game spark for Wild http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/zucker_providing_late_game_spark_for_wild/13556267 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/4/8427f7e113411216d56efcb302a29dde8261b658/mini/2010-nhl-draft-portraits.jpg ST. PAUL, Minn. Matt Cullen was just trying to keep the puck in the Minnesota Wild's possession while lying on his stomach behind the Chicago Blackhawks net in overtime on Sunday. Cullen, one of Minnesota's few playoff-savvy veterans, poked the puck out to forward Jason Zucker, the high-energy, speedy forward playing in just his third NHL postseason game. Zucker, who has brought his shoot-first mentality to the Wild in his young career, thought only one thing: put the puck on net. Cullen, watching from his stomach, didn't expect a shot. But Zucker, 21, has been anything but timid in his first NHL playoff series. "That play there, a lot of guys probably wouldn't have even shot that," Cullen said. "But he's got that nose for the net. He easily could have won that first game, he hit the bar in overtime and it could be an awfully different series. He's a goal scorer and it's nice to have that." Zucker had a prime chance in overtime in the series' first game Sun, 05 May 2013 20:44:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/zucker_providing_late_game_spark_for_wild/13556333 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/zucker_providing_late_game_spark_for_wild/13556333 Zucker providing late game spark for Wild http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/zucker_providing_late_game_spark_for_wild/13556333 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/4/7449f7e04d3c114f987bc97adb4171e34570f9c0/mini/6149692.jpg After blowing a 2-1 lead late in the third period, the Minnesota Wild were back on their heels at the start of overtime.  But, Wild forward Matt Cullen made an awesome play from his stomach to not only keep control of the puck but to get it to Jason Zucker.  Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford was down early and that gave Zucker some room up top to shoot.  Despite his horrible angle, Zucker found a space and fired the puck home to win the game.  This goal brought the series to 2-1 and has given the Wild a chance again.  Had they gone down 3-0 they would have been in serious trouble. [NHL.com] Sun, 05 May 2013 18:44:22 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/jason_zucker_scores_sick_overtime_winner_cullen_makes_great_pass/13555853 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/jason_zucker_scores_sick_overtime_winner_cullen_makes_great_pass/13555853 Jason Zucker wins it for the Wild http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/jason_zucker_scores_sick_overtime_winner_cullen_makes_great_pass/13555853 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/f/5f9d2b6811c63b7df3c13236bd4375dbcbd781b2/mini/wild.jpg The Wild will get a big boost tonight as center Matt Cullen will return to the lineup after missing the past six games with a lower body injury. "I feel really good," said Matt Cullen this morning in Calgary. "It's been awfully tough watching and it will be nice to get back in the fight with the guys." The Wild have gone 1-4-1 without Cullen in the lineup and have only scored seven goals in the past six games. Cullen brings many different features to the lineup and head coach Mike Yeo is looking forward to having him back. "He is one of our top penalty killers and well and a power play guy," said Yeo. "All that on top of a veteran presence a guy who has the experience of winning and playing in meaningful games it is a big addition to our group tonight." Cullen returns at a crucial time as the Wild are battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota currently sits in the seventh spot in the Western Conference with seven games remaining. The return of Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:34:34 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_monday_cullen_returns_to_lineup/13404700 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_monday_cullen_returns_to_lineup/13404700 Wild Monday: Cullen returns to lineup http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/wild_monday_cullen_returns_to_lineup/13404700 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Wild will get a big boost tonight as center Matt Cullen will return to the lineup after missing the past six games with a lower body injury. "I feel really good," said Matt Cullen this morning in Calgary. "It's been awfully tough watching and it will be nice to get back in the fight with the guys." The Wild have gone 1-4-1 without Cullen in the lineup and have only scored seven goals in the past six games. Cullen brings many different features to the lineup and head coach Mike Yeo is looking forward to having him back. "He is one of our top penalty killers and well and a power play guy," said Yeo. "All that on top of a veteran presence a guy who has the experience of winning and playing in meaningful games it is a big addition to our group tonight." Cullen returns at a crucial time as the Wild are battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota currently sits in the seventh spot in the Western Conference with seven games remaining. The return of Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:34:34 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_monday_cullen_returns_to_lineup/13404694 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_monday_cullen_returns_to_lineup/13404694 Wild Monday: Cullen returns to lineup http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/wild_monday_cullen_returns_to_lineup/13404694 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Minnesota Wild center Matt Cullen will miss at least the next two games because of an unspecified lower-body injury. Cullen was hurt in Monday's loss to St. Louis. The Wild play at San Jose on Wednesday and at Los Angeles on Thursday. Coach Mike Yeo said after practice on Tuesday that Cullen's injury doesn't appear to be serious. Yeo said he's hopeful that Cullen can heal in time to play at Columbus on Sunday. The 36-year-old slick-skating Cullen had four goals and 12 assists over a 16-game stretch through March 30. He's fourth on the team with 25 points this season, including seven goals. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:39:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_hope_injured_cullen_will_only_miss_2_games/13297705 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_hope_injured_cullen_will_only_miss_2_games/13297705 Wild hope injured Cullen will only miss 2 games http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/wild_hope_injured_cullen_will_only_miss_2_games/13297705 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png SATURDAY'S STORY LINES: Forward Matt Cullen, who left Saturday's game in Anaheim after taking an awkward hit into the boards by Anaheim forward Kyle Palmieri, did not skate with the team Saturday in Arizona. Head coach Mike Yeo said Cullen is "sore still today so we left him off, but it's nothing serious." Yeo said he expects Cullen back on the ice when the team practices Sunday afternoon. With Cullen out, there were not a lot of options to mix up lines in practice. However, Yeo said it is something they are strongly considering after last night's 3-1 loss to Anaheim. Even the top line of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley cooled off in the past few games. The line has generated zero points in the last two games. They didn't generate any shots Friday night until 4:14 of the third period. "We spent a great deal of time talking about it last night and even this morning," said Yeo. "So there are some things we have to think about there from top to bottom as Sat, 02 Feb 2013 19:43:29 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_forward_cullens_injury_nothing_serious/12822223 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_forward_cullens_injury_nothing_serious/12822223 Wild forward Cullen's injury 'nothing serious' http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/wild_forward_cullens_injury_nothing_serious/12822223 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png SATURDAY'S STORY LINES: Forward Matt Cullen, who left Saturday's game in Anaheim after taking an awkward hit into the boards by Anaheim forward Kyle Palmieri, did not skate with the team Saturday in Arizona. Head coach Mike Yeo said Cullen is "sore still today so we left him off, but it's nothing serious." Yeo said he expects Cullen back on the ice when the team practices Sunday afternoon. With Cullen out, there were not a lot of options to mix up lines in practice. However, Yeo said it is something they are strongly considering after last night's 3-1 loss to Anaheim. Even the top line of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley cooled off in the past few games. The line has generated zero points in the last two games. They didn't generate any shots Friday night until 4:14 of the third period. "We spent a great deal of time talking about it last night and even this morning," said Yeo. "So there are some things we have to think about there from top to bottom as Sat, 02 Feb 2013 19:43:29 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_forward_cullens_injury_nothing_serious/12822235 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_forward_cullens_injury_nothing_serious/12822235 Wild forward Cullen's injury 'nothing serious' http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/wild_forward_cullens_injury_nothing_serious/12822235 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Vancouver Canucks have regained their touch on the power play just in time to make a late run at first place in the Western Conference. The Canucks will try to get closer in that race by continuing their recent mastery of the fading Minnesota Wild on Monday night at Xcel Energy Center. Vancouver (43-20-8) has scored a pair of power-play goals in each of its past two games, using two tallies to earn only its fourth point in six contests with Saturday's 4-3 win over Columbus. "When you score a (power-play) goal or two, you get confidence," said Daniel Sedin, who ended a personal nine-game drought with two goals -- including the winner on the man advantage with just under five minutes left in the game. Before those two games, the Canucks endured a 1-for-24 slump on the power play. Through 29 games this season, Vancouver was converting at a 26.4 percent rate - 4.7 better than any other team - and it was at 23.8 percent over its first 47 contests. Since Jan. 18, the Canucks have had one of t Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:34:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cullen_wild_seek_to_stop_streaking_canucks/10345537 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cullen_wild_seek_to_stop_streaking_canucks/10345537 Cullen, Wild seek to stop streaking Canucks http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/cullen_wild_seek_to_stop_streaking_canucks/10345537 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TUESDAY'S STORY LINE: Kris Foucault, who was recalled from Houston yesterday, will make his NHL debut tonight. The 21-year old said it is a dream come true and joked he hopes he doesn't fall in his first shift. Foucault's parents, Gary and Heather, were flying in from Calgary this afternoon and will see their son make his debut in St. Paul. Foucault will be on a line with Erik Christensen and Carson McMillan, and said the other players have helped prepare him for his debut. "Basically they said everyone has done it. We have had our first games now it is my turn, don't be too nervous and show us what you got," said Foucault. Mike Yeo reiterated today that he wants goals and some playmaking from Foucault. Another player the Wild are looking for points from is Matt Cullen. Despite playing well, Cullen hasn't scored a goal since January 10th, and has just five assists over the last 12 games. For tonight's game against Anaheim, Yeo moved Cullen, who is primarily a center, Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:51:45 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cullen_to_play_the_wing_against_anaheim/9919564 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cullen_to_play_the_wing_against_anaheim/9919564 Cullen to play the wing against Anaheim http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/cullen_to_play_the_wing_against_anaheim/9919564 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ROSEVILLE, Minn. -- Matt Cullen was remembering some of his most cherished hockey memories on Sunday, recalling the days when he played outdoors with friends. For the 35-year old center for the Minnesota Wild, those days can often seem like distant memories. Cullen and the Wild had the chance to relive their past glory days with an outdoor practice on Sunday. "Most of my great hockey memories are on the backyard rink as a kid anyway," Cullen said. "We had so much fun playing. We had a silver bucket. We played for the silver bucket. That was the Stanley Cup for us. It was great. We had so much fun out there." There wasn't a silver bucket or cup to play for on Sunday but Minnesota was back outside, holding a short practice open to the public at the Guidant John Rose MN Oval in Roseville. Hundreds of fans attended the second outdoor practice in Wild history. The team also had a similar event last season in Roseville and Minnesota unveiled its first official home sweater at the location Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:12:42 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_get_back_to_roots_with_outdoor_practice/9519677 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/wild_get_back_to_roots_with_outdoor_practice/9519677 Wild get back to roots with outdoor practice http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/wild_get_back_to_roots_with_outdoor_practice/9519677 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TUESDAY'S STORY LINE: Matt Cullen still remembers his first NHL game with Anaheim like it was yesterday. It was October 28th, 1997, he was a baby in the NHL and only two years removed from high school in Moorehead, Minnesota. "I remember it very clearly, it doesn't seem like it was that long ago. It was at Maple Leaf Gardens. I will never forget it, it was a fun experience, " said Cullen. "To be playing alongside guys like Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne was pretty special." Tonight at 35, Cullen will skate in his 1,000th NHL game. Like life, the years since his NHL debut have all gone by incredibly fast. "It is funny how fast it goes, but I have enjoyed it. I love the game and it has been good to me. It has been more then I could ever hope for," added Cullen. Reaching the 1,000 game mark has given Cullen the opportunity to reflect on his career, and his most memorable moment, no doubt, was winning the cup in 2006 with Carolina. "Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:30:57 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cullen_will_play_his_1000th_game_vs_sharks/9255812 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cullen_will_play_his_1000th_game_vs_sharks/9255812 Cullen will play his 1,000th game vs. Sharks http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/cullen_will_play_his_1000th_game_vs_sharks/9255812 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png TUESDAY'S STORY LINE: Matt Cullen still remembers his first NHL game with Anaheim like it was yesterday. It was October 28th, 1997, he was a baby in the NHL and only two years removed from high school in Moorehead, Minnesota. "I remember it very clearly, it doesn't seem like it was that long ago. It was at Maple Leaf Gardens. I will never forget it, it was a fun experience, " said Cullen. "To be playing alongside guys like Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne was pretty special." Tonight at 35, Cullen will skate in his 1,000th NHL game. Like life, the years since his NHL debut have all gone by incredibly fast. "It is funny how fast it goes, but I have enjoyed it. I love the game and it has been good to me. It has been more then I could ever hope for," added Cullen. Reaching the 1,000 game mark has given Cullen the opportunity to reflect on his career, and his most memorable moment, no doubt, was winning the cup in 2006 with Carolina. "Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:30:57 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cullen_will_play_his_1000th_game_vs_sharks/9255128 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cullen_will_play_his_1000th_game_vs_sharks/9255128 Cullen will play his 1,000th game vs. Sharks http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/cullen_will_play_his_1000th_game_vs_sharks/9255128 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png