The Minnesota Wild opened up the checkbook yesterday and signed 25 year old Nick Schultz to a six year $21 million contract, the largest in Minnesota Wild history.  Schultz was the second pick in Wild franchise history, taken in the second round of the 2000 entry draft only after Marian Gaborik. What seems interesting to this MN Wild Freak is that the Wild were very aggressive in signing Schultzie, but when asked about signing Gaborik, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, Wild GM Doug Risebrough says this:

"I think it would be prudent to talk about the situation over the summer," Risebrough said of Gaborik. "But not before."

Clearly, the Wild have a plan for this team and by signing Nick Schultz for six, Mikko Koivu for four and Brent Burns for four –the Wild plan includes certain players, but it may not include Marian Gaborik. Don’t rush out and buy a new #10 Gaborik Jersey, but invest in a #55 Nick Schultz jersey instead.