WildHBcommunity: Minnesota Wild Avoids Pitfalls of Flawed 2014 UFA Market
It appeared major changes could occur for Minnesota Wild during this current two week stretch of pivotal offseason player movement and acquisition. With the NHL Draft and beginning of free agency following each other so closely, decision makers must quickly identify their primary and secondary targets in efforts to improve their rosters for now and years down the road.
Instead what has occurred is the long rumored now reality return of Thomas Vanek to Minnesota on a 3 year $19.5 Million Dollar Deal which carries a $6.5Mil Cap Hit and a no movement clause. Vanek turned down lucrative long term offers just for the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent from the three teams he played for last season in addition to whatever deals he was offered in the days leading up to the July 1st free agent frenzy by the rest of the league.
Vanek's Signing the Worst Kept Secret in NHL but Still Exciting
Certainly Vanek has some flaws in his overall game but honestly there are very few complete players in the entire NHL so all the negativity towards the Austrian born former Gopher here in the State of Hockey was puzzling to me. What an interesting swing in perception and momentum last season for Vanek who was traded from the Sabres to the Islanders and then to the Canadiens. Vanek scored goals with all three teams he played for and was an asset to each.
I have written it previously and I will restate it here again, all the negativity surrounding Vanek because of how his season finished with Montreal or people questioning his abilities and worth only reinforced that returning to Minnesota was the right move for the goal scoring winger. Vanek is a perfect fit to be on the receiving end of playmaker first types like Mikael Granlund, Jason Pominville, and Mikko Koivu. Vanek has proven by taking the deal with the Wild that he did, he is buying into this roster and organization for the next three years.
What a powerful vote of confidence by a peer who put his present and future on the line by leaving money and term on the table for the opportunity to wear a Wild sweater. I have been squarely in the camp that believes Vanek was the best option to improve this current roster but I also believed it would require concessions from him and Minnesota General Manager Chuck Fletcher for it to become reality. That is exactly what has occurred with Vanek signing on with just a 3 year deal and $6.5Mil Cap Hit.
Free Agent Frenzy Often Creates Buyers Remorse
Fletcher has done very well in his 5 years to clean up bad contracts and add talented young players to the organization. In the past 2 seasons Fletcher has been very cautious not to lose roster and cap flexibility in attempts to address needs and improve this team’s chances at a Stanley Cup. This summer he has again held true to his belief system while the rest of the league has dealt out very questionable contracts in terms of amount and term.
A perfect example of my point is the contract now former Wild defenseman Clayton Stoner signed with the Anaheim Ducks on July 1st. Stoner a former 3rd round pick of the Wild in 2004, is certainly a capable NHL defender but he was signed to a 4 year $13 Million Dollar deal with Cap hit of $3.25Mil. Stoner is player the drew ire of fans in Minnesota as he played out of his capabilities in the Top 4 pairings but settled in last season in the bottom 2 pair.
Stoner’s size and play in the defensive zone are his greatest assets but he struggles to handle the puck and offers very little in the way of offense of potential to improve his game. Stoner is rugged though and will play through injuries and come to the defense of his team mates and protect his goalie. Stoner getting that much money though to be a bottom of the roster defenseman is a symptom of how flawed this unrestricted free agent class was this summer.
State of Hockey No Longer Loserville USA Top Free Agent Signings Prove It
What is interesting to me and by all means I am guilty of it as well, but fans and hockey bloggers/writers write these massive hypothetical checks out for these players they want their favorite team to chase but then when it goes pear shaped like it did with Dany Heatley or Martin Havlat then it is all the stupid GMs fault haha. Here in Minnesota we have stomped our feet and pounded our fists about playing the kids instead of these junky journey men veteran types. Fletcher’s strategy has been to safe guard his roster and cap flexibility and it was the best avenue of approach for the team this summer.
There is still time and space to accomplish so other roster moves although a majority of the top free agents have agreed to terms with teams. The goaltending situation still remains in question. Adding a rugged bottom of the roster type in the event so tough guy rodeo needs to take place could be on the menu as well. The Wild could still be looking to move Niklas Backstrom and/or Kyle Brodziak. They could be lurking around other cap strapped teams to take advantage and add a bridge veteran type that could provide a little more development time for prospects at forward and defense.
In Fletcher we trust though because he has silenced his doubters and completely re-branded the Minnesota Wild with not only the Team of 18,001 but the entire hockey world. Minnesota is no longer flyover country in the NHL and Owner Craig Leipold has made good on every word to spend every dollar to bring a cup contending hockey team to the Xcel Energy Center. Even Mike Yeo has won over his biggest haters me included to sign a 3 year deal after being on brink of disaster.
Fun Times Ahead Thanks for All of The Support in my 1st Year at HockeyBuzz!
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Just My Take,
Tony Dean
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