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Wild’s Stewart on trade from Blues: ‘There’s no other way to take it than personal’

Ottawa Senators v Minnesota Wild

Ottawa Senators v Minnesota Wild

NHLI via Getty Images

The Wild play the Blues tonight in the first of three meetings between the two clubs over the next month.

It’ll provide ample opportunity for Minnesota forward Chris Stewart to stick it to his former team.

Stewart is apparently still bothered by last season’s trade, which saw him go from St. Louis to Buffalo.

“Anytime you get traded in this league, I think you have a bit of a chip on your shoulder and want to stick it to them every time you play them,” Stewart told Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. “There’s no other way to take it than personal.”

The Wild acquired the 27-year-old on March 2 from the Sabres in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

In six games with Minnesota, Stewart has two goals and two assists.

“He’s fearless. He’s fearless of anybody on the other team, and he plays the game that way,” said coach Mike Yeo. “That’s a big thing for us. Having somebody that can hold people accountable if they’re going to try to go after one of our top players or anybody for that matter, he welcomes that kind of game.

“More importantly, he plays just a big game. This time of year, you’ve got to be ready to stand your ground, you’ve got to be ready to play physical hockey. We’ve got to be prepared to play heavy games and he’s a guy that should help us do that.”

St. Louis won the only other meeting between the two Central Division clubs 3-2 in a shootout on Nov. 29.

Follow @dcmahiban