Wild Signs Jonas Brodin To Six-Year Extension

The Minnesota Wild has signed defenseman Jonas Brodin to a six-year contract extension worth $25 million, as per Elliot Friedman of “Hockey Night in Canada.” Brodin is on the last year of his entry-level contract, meaning he will carry a cap hit for the next six years of around $4.17 million/year.

At 21 years of age, Brodin has been a mainstay on the Wild’s top defensive pairing (along with Ryan Suter) for much of his career. Selected 10th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Brodin was named to the All-Rookie Team for the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.

Brodin is an elite skater, with strong stick-handling skills and accurate passing that plays a cerebral game. He exhibited early in his career an ability to be counted on defensively, as he logged the most average ice time by a rookie two years ago with 23:12. In two games this season, Brodin has averaged 22:26 time on ice, while recording an assist and a plus-five rating.

There is a lot of room for Brodin to grow as he develops his offensive game and adds more mass to his frame. This signing knocks off one of the contract negotiations between the Wild and its younger players from the to do list. Forwards Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, and Erik Haula are also on the last year of their entry-level contracts.