SB Nation Minnesota - NHL Free Agency: Wild Need Helphttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2010-07-01T20:41:45-05:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13109882010-07-01T20:41:45-05:002010-07-01T20:41:45-05:00Wild sign Eric Nystrom
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<p>After losing (giving up, really) both Derek Boogaard and John Scott to free agency, the Wild went back into the free agent pool and signed a gritty wing. Intent on going with a more “team toughness” angle, Fletcher likes the idea of Nystrom on the third or fourth line, just in case Brad Staubitz is already in the box.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2010/7/1/1548452/wild-sign-eric-nystromBryan Reynolds2010-07-01T17:50:17-05:002010-07-01T17:50:17-05:00Wild Sign Matt Cullen
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<p>After a quiet day, the Wild’s behind the scenes efforts have paid off. Matt Cullen, of Moorehead, MN, has signed a three year deal worth $3.5 million per season. The deal also comes with a modified no trade clause, per Russo.</p>
<p>This is a huge move for the Wild, and a dramatic improvement over their current roster. The hole at the number two spot has been a gaping void for too long, and they finally have two scoring lines.</p>
<p>Good on ya, Chuck Fletcher. You have accomplished yet another task that the old regime was incapable of handling.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2010/7/1/1548191/wild-sign-matt-cullenBryan Reynolds2010-07-01T16:21:22-05:002010-07-01T16:21:22-05:00Wild quiet thus far
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<p>The Wild have not made any moves to this point in <span class="caps">NHL</span> free agency. However, Russo is reporting that they have offers out to multiple players, and are waiting for agents to return calls. Matt Cullen, Lombardi, and Saku Koivu are the names he threw out. Also in on “affordable” defensemen.</p>
<p>We’ll see where the night takes us. Martin Havlat signed very late on July 1 last year.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2010/7/1/1548018/wild-quiet-thus-farBryan Reynolds2010-07-01T14:17:13-05:002010-07-01T14:17:13-05:00Boogaard signs with Rangers
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<p>Multiple sources are reporting Derek Boogaard has signed with the NY Rangers for 4 years at a cap hit of $1.65 million per season. This has Wild fans smiling for the fortune of one of the fan favorites, as they wish him well, and laughing heartily at the cost to the Rangers.</p>
<p>$1.65 million for a year at roughly 4 minutes of Time on Ice per night. They must be counting on him to provide some serious intimidation.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2010/7/1/1547709/boogaard-signs-with-rangersBryan Reynolds2010-07-01T13:07:07-05:002010-07-01T13:07:07-05:00@RussoStrib: Boogaard Close to signing elsewhere
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<p>Russo is reporting that Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard is very close to signing somewhere long term. Would certainly be the end of an era.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2010/7/1/1547546/russostrib-boogaard-close-toBryan Reynolds2010-07-01T08:59:18-05:002010-07-01T08:59:18-05:00NHL Free Agency: Wild Need Help
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<p>Today at 11AM central time, the NHL free agency free for all begins. Unlike free agency in many sports, the NHL version comes fast and furious, with big names being signed very quickly in most years. The top prize of this year's frenzy is former Thrasher / Devils rental player, Ilya Kovalchuk. While the Wild do not have the cap room to go after such a large prize, they do have a desire to be involved today.</p>
<p>Michael Russo reports that Matt Cullen, a local boy, is<a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/97541164.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUBP7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr"> interested in playing for the hometown team</a>. Cullen would be an excellent addition, and would make the second line of Havlat and Latendresse (recently re-signed Latendresse) a much more lethal scoring threat.</p>
<p>Also in play are Olli Jokinen, who has acquired a bad reputation throughout the league, after two of his worst seasons and being traded multiple times. Labeled a locker room cancer, Jokinen is<a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/blogs/97493744.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUBP7h_47cQiU47cQUU"> now saying all the right things</a> in an interview with Russo. It may be an interesting fit, since Jokinen is Finnish, as is Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen, and Niklas Backstrom. Maybe having some countrymen to relate to would help Jokinen pull out of his two year slump. Many have called this a low risk option if he is willing to sign for a small contract. I would say this is a last option, but a serviceable one.</p>
<p>Finally, there is Saku Koivu, Mikko's older brother. Last year it did not work out since Saku did not want to impose on "Mikko's team." This year could be different as Saku is most definitely reaching the end of his career, and there is no word out of fellow Finn Teemu Selanne as to his future. Maybe with a year under their belts, and Mikko firmly implanted as the leader of the Wild, maybe, just maybe Saku has a change of heart. Before anyone gets too excited, this is a huge long shot. The safe bet is that he will re-sign with Anaheim, or go where Teemu goes.</p>
<p>Stay tuned to SBN Minnesota or<a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/2010/7/1/1546891/minnesota-wild-free-agency-open#comments"> Hockey Wilderness</a> for more as free agency plays itself out today.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2010/7/1/2317298/nhl-free-agency-wild-need-helpBryan Reynolds