From Michael Russo over at the star tribune.

The Spin-O-Rama will continue to be displayed at Xcel Energy Center for many years to come.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard, the supremely talented Wild winger who used and abused Nikolai Khabibulin and Evgeni Nabokov the past two seasons with a pair of sweet shootout moves, avoided a Monday arbitration hearing by signing a five-year, $20.4 million deal just before midnight Friday night.

Bouchard, who ranks second for the Wild in career assists and points, was intrigued by the Wild's late Friday afternoon offer because it included verbal assurance from General Manager Doug Risebrough that he would not be traded for at least two years, assistant GM Tom Lynn said.

While the Wild wouldn't put such a guarantee in writing, Lynn told the Star Tribune earlier Friday before Bouchard signed, "If Butch signs a multiyear deal, Doug is willing to commit to him personally that the Wild would not trade him for at least two years."

The Wild usually scoffs at no-trade clauses, but Bouchard, 24, who has 160 assists and 221 points in 354 games with the Wild, was adamant he receive some sort of no-trade, no-movement (waivers) promise.

Even with this multiyear deal, Bouchard probably surrendered some money that he could have received on the open market next summer as an unrestricted free agent.

Since Bouchard, who wanted to remain in Minnesota badly, was willing to do that, he wanted assurance that the Wild wouldn't simply turn around and trade him, especially since the team has dangled him out there in at least the Olli Jokinen trade talks with Florida.

The two-year verbal promise isn't new. Lynn said that Risebrough made a similar verbal assurance to Nick Schultz before he signed a six-year extension in February.

Goalie Niklas Backstrom is the only Wild player who has a written no-trade clause, although it's limited. His no-trade clause is currently lifted, but Backstrom can't be traded from the start of training camp until six weeks before next season's trade deadline.

Bouchard, who could not be reached for comment, will receive $3.35 million next season, $4.25 million the following three seasons and $4.3 million in 2012-13.

The Wild came up significantly Friday from its initial offer. It's believed the Wild was offering Bouchard a four-year deal similar to the most recent contract signed by defenseman Brent Burns ($3.55 million average) last November.

But Burns was just blossoming and is three years away from what would have been his first crack at unrestricted free agency. In other words, the Wild was only buying one year of his unrestricted status.

Bouchard, who had a career-high 50 assists and 60 points last season, and 20 goals two seasons ago, could have become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The way free agents are being paid in today's market, Bouchard would have had the chance to make more than $3.35 million a year.

Next up for the Wild is making a contract extension offer to Marian Gaborik. Gaborik, 26, who scored a career-high 42 goals and 83 points last season, can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

It's believed the Wild will offer Gaborik a long-term contract in the $8.5 million range.