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2009 NHL Free Agency: Minnesota Wild Needs v. Wants

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Every team can improve in a hurry through free agency. Sure, the draft is sexy and fun. It's nice to look at the new models and dream about what could be, but when it comes down to it, that's more of a pipe dream. When you really want to see the future, you look at July 1st.

Pending UFAs: Marian Gaborik, Stephane Veilleux, Krystopher Kolanos, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Kurtis Foster, Martin Skoula, Tomas Mojzis, Nolan Schaefer
Pending RFAs: Dan Fritsche, Benoit Pouliot, Danny Irmen, Peter Olvecky, Josh Harding
Salary cap space: $13.98-million
Projected budget: $56.8-million

Key needs: Scoring, faceoffs, scoring, oh and a big-body defenseman would be nice. Buddha discussed the current Wild UFA forwards and defensemen previously. If Marian Gaborik signs elsewhere, then this team really needs to fill the scoring gap, and it would likely have to be filled by two guys (Sedins) though we need one fewer center now that Fletcher picked up Kyle Brodziak on trade day two.

Chuck Fletcher and Craig Leipold know that the way this team will improve over the next three or four years is through free agency

The Wild plans to experiment in training camp with moving right winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard back to his natural center position, but the team will also attempt to sign a second-line center behind Mikko Koivu.

The intended target will be Mikko's older brother, Saku, the longtime Montreal Canadiens captain.

The Wild needs defensemen, especially if Martin Skoula, Marc- Andre Bergeron and Kurtis Foster are allowed to walk. It wouldn't be surprising if Fletcher pursued two or three he's familiar with -- perhaps Francois Beauchemin or Rob Scuderi. - Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Potential targets: Marian Gaborik, Martin Havlat, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Mike Cammalleri, Saku Koivu, Miroslav Satan, Alex Tanguay, Alex Kovalev, Erik Cole, Brian Gionta, Derek Morris, Mike Komisarek

What our rivals want: Canucks, Avs, Oilers, Flames

Poll
What's your top target?
Marian Gaborik
77 votes
Saku Koivu
95 votes
The Sedins
153 votes
Mike Cammalleri
38 votes
Derek Morris
1 votes
Other (name in comments)
15 votes

379 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 10 comments |

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Comments

Display:

One available D

Why not throw Chelios an offer? His workout regimen is second to none, he has the heart, talent, and leadership. John Scott could learn a heck of a lot from a guy like that.

by TylerDurdenUMD on Jun 29, 2009 12:26 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'd still make a run

at signing him if it could be done for a reasonable amount. Offer him a 2 mil, 1 year deal and see how badly he wants to play.

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Jun 29, 2009 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can think of a lot better ways to waste 2 million dollars.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jun 30, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Kyle Brodziak deal makes even more sense...

Kyle Brodziak – $497,500 ($547,250 to qualify this year)
Dan Fritsche – $875,000 ($918,750 to qualify this year)

I smell cap space!

by SpaethCo on Jun 29, 2009 2:19 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

What no mention of Hossa?

A year ago Marion Hossa was the talk of any free agency discussions, this year he is not even mentioned as a potential target? Detroit has said that it will most likely not re-sign him. just throwing it out there.

by W1ldfan on Jun 30, 2009 2:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Word is Detroit offered him a long-term deal today.

Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.

by nathaneide on Jun 30, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

11 years, 4m cap hit…definitely low-balling him.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jun 30, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

maybe he has the same agent as

Franzen, sounds a lot like his deal.

Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?

by the Real Thor on Jul 1, 2009 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not a top target, but.....

I would really not mind seeing Ian Lapparier here. a tough, in your face pest that does have a finishing touch. Fits into Fletchers “team tough” philosophy

by W1ldfan on Jul 1, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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