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Fenton Puts On His Best Fletcher

July 1, 2018, 3:31 PM ET [5 Comments]
Dan Wallace
Minnesota Wild Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
I believe this was my blog from July 1st last year as well. So thus far we have seen nothing new from the new Wild GM.

I know that is way too early to pass judgement on the new Wild GM, but making all moves that Chuck Fletcher would have made is not giving anyone here a warm and fuzzy that things are going to change for the better anytime soon.

The first signing of Greg Pateryn fits an absolute need to add a big, physical defenseman to round out the third defensive pair.

The rest of the signings albeit a couple of homecomings, are just depth signings to replace roster spots previously occupied by Matt Cullen, Daniel Winnick, and Chris Stewart (waived during the 2017-18 season).

J.T. Miller, Burnsville native, son of former Viking Ted Brown, and former UMD Bulldog signed to a two year $1.375 million deal. Brown is a good signing at 28 he brings another right handed shooting forward that skates exceptionally well.

Matt Hendricks the 37 year old Blaine native, and former St. Cloud State Husky, was brought in to be a strong influence in the locker room. Both Fenton and Boudreau are very familiar with Hendricks who was on Chuck Fletcher's radar a year ago before signing with Winnipeg.

Eric Fehr, the former 2003, 1st round pick of the Capitals, has been a solid depth center, with a Stanley Cup ring on his resume (2016 Penguins). At 32, Fehr is no more than another right handed depth forward for the Wild. His best days are well in the rearview mirror, but another player familiar with Boudreau as he player for BB in Washington.

Andrew Hammond was signed to compete with Alex Stalock for the Wild backup goaltender position. Hammond burst on the scene out of nowhere in 2015 with his incredible 20-1-2 run helping the Ottawa Senators make it to the playoffs. But since then he has gone 7-13-4 in the parts of three seasons he has played in the NHL since then. Hammond was signed to a two way deal.

Mike Liambas signed a two year two way contract while defenseman Matt Bartkowski signed a one year two way deal as well.

Nick Seeler re-signed for three years with the first year at $675K, while the final two years at $750K. A well deserved deal for Seeler who earned his position in the Wild lineup after his recall from Iowa this past season.

In other related news Matt Cullen has signed on for another year with Pittsburgh.

Adding to organizational depth was necessary, signing 30+ year olds was not.

Now that we know the free agency plan, and where John Taveras ended up, does Fenton have any trades lined up that can acquire the impact players the Wild so desperately need?

Nylander? Kapanen? Toronto needs defense...

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