SAINT PAUl, Minn. - Forward Casey Wellman has likely made his final trip between Minnesota and Houston.
The oft-promoted and demoted winger was traded to the New York Rangers Friday for a much-needed center.
Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced that the club has acquired center Erik Christensen and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft from the Rangers in exchange for Wellman, a forward with scoring potential who never seemed to stick with the Wild.
Christensen, age 28, has one goal and four assists in 20 games for the Rangers this season. He posted 27 points (11-16=27) in 63 games for the Rangers last season.
The veteran center was on Fletcher's radar screen because Christensen totaled a career-high 33 points (18-15=33) while playing for the Pittsburgh Penquins in 2006-07.
Christensen, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Edmonton, Alberta, has collected 156 points (62-94=156) and 156 penalty minutes in 358 career NHL games during seven seasons with Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Anaheim and the Rangers.
The 24-year-old Wellman has two goals and five assists in 14 games with the Wild this season, and 24 points in 25 games for Houston. He was originally signed by Minnesota as a free agent in 2010.
To make room for Christensen the Wild sent forward Chad Rau, an Eden Prairie native, back to Houston.
(Copyright 2012 by KARE. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. )