Vanek Watch: Minnesota Wild Sign Jason Pominville to 5-Year Extension

May 7, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) passes against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

In a move that surprises no one, the Minnesota Wild have signed top line right winger Jason Pominville to a five-year contract extension through the 2018-19 season. The deal is reportedly worth an average of $5.6 Million per year for $28 Million total for the former Buffalo Sabres captain, and will begin next season.

Acquired in the trade that sent potential NHL captain Johan Larsson and potential franchise goalie Matt Hackett to western New York along with a first and second round pick, Pominville would score four goals and five assists for nine points in 10 games with Minnesota at the end of last season. He would also have four multi-point games in his limited time in a Wild sweater.

Since the start of the 2007-08 season, the veteran winger ranks tied for 19th in the league in assists, and is tied for 9th in the NHL with 530 games played since the beginning of the 2006-07 season. A 2012 All-Star, the 55th overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft has potted 189 goals and 276 assists for 465 points and a plus-41 rating in 588 career regular season games. In addition, 43 of his goals have come on the power play, and he’s been a clutch performer with 21 game-winning tallies.

In short, this is nothing short of a terrific signing for GM Chuck Fletcher and the future of the Minnesota Wild. With Pominville secured, the next step is a strong regular season performance and a good playoff run. Both are important factors for Minnesota to be successful in wooing their next big free agent signing–former University of Minnesota Gopher, and current Buffalo Sabres captain, Thomas Vanek.

And so it begins.

Follow Dakota Case at Twitter.com/Dakota_case