Bargain Hunting With The Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild will be tight against the salary cap next season. Don’t expect GM Chuck Fletcher to make a big splash in free agency this year, as their roughly $10-million in cap space will greatly diminish once they sign RFAs Erik Haula, Mikael Granlund, and Christian Folin, and potentially bring back UFA Devan Dubnyk. Also a pending UFA, Jordan Leopold may also find himself back in Minnesota next season after his performance this past season and how he took on, as the Star Tribune’s Mike Russo mentioned, a mentor role to Matt Dumba. A relationship that Derek Felska pointed out was similar to Keith Carney’s with Brent Burns back in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
That doesn’t mean Fletcher can’t tinker with the roster and make some smaller additions. Frankly, it’d be shocking if he didn’t. With potential trades looming this off-season, the Wild’s cap space may expand a little.
Feb 27, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Washington Capitals forward Eric Fehr (16) takes a 3rd period shot against Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 3-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
With Kyle Brodziak likely on his way out, Fehr would be a good replacement as a right-handed center for a bottom-six role. Selected 18th overall in 2003 by the Washington Capitals, he’s spent his entire career in DC. He won 52 percent of faceoffs this past season while potting 19 goals and 33 points.
If Brodziak does indeed ship out, Minnesota will need another right-handed option at center, especially as Charlie Coyle has struggled on the draw, winning 46.5 percent of draws in 2014-15. Fehr can play the penalty kill (averaged 1:23 short-handed minutes this past season) and can also slide into a top-six role, as he averaged the sixth-most even strength time on ice of Caps forwards.
Fehr made $3 million over two years on his last contract, and could wind up being a great pick-up if the Wild can sign him for something similar.
Mar 19, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins center Carl Soderberg (34) prepares to shoot on Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond (30) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The left-handed Swede is coming off his second full season in the NHL. He had 48 points in 73 games in 2013-14 and 44 points in 82 games in 2014-15. At 29, and coming off a three-year contract worth $3,025,000, the six-foot-three center can make for a good bargain-bin option for a middle-six player that can add offensive depth.
Soderberg ran at a 48.2 success rate in the faceoff circle, but took the second most draws on the Bruins. The 766 faceoffs he took were second only to Patrice Bergeron, who took a league-high 1951.
Feb 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Maxim Lapierre (40) speaks with linesman Brian Murphy (93) as he takes a face-off against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Blue Jackets won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
He may be absolutely everybody’s favourite player of all time, but Lapierre doesn’t throw up many points. He’d likely be a fourth-line center wherever he lands, but he is good at draws (52.4% in 2014-15) and a proven agitator. He’s kills penalties and, while the numbers don’t show it, he’s got good hands for a fourth-liner.
I saw half of his goals (one of two) this past season live. Against the Ottawa Senators in November he turned defenseman Cody Ceci inside out before beating netminder Robin Lehner between the wickets.
Lapierre can be had cheap, as the 30 year old is coming off a two-year contract with a cap hit of $1,100,000.
Apr 20, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets right wing Lee Stempniak (20) celebrates his goal on the Anaheim Ducks during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
The 32-year-old right winger has already suited up for seven NHL teams. There have been seasons where he’s scored .59 points per game or better (2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2012-13), and that’s probably what gives GMs the idea that Stempniak can come in and provide some secondary scoring.
Stempniak could help add some depth to the middle of the lineup without costing too much (he’s coming off a one-year deal worth $900,000). If you’re leaning on him to be your go-to guy, you’re likely in trouble. But if he’s a complementary piece, especially for when the injury bug (or mumps) come calling, you are in good shape.
Mar 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Islanders goalie Michal Neuvirth (30) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Twenty-seven years old and carrying a career .912 save percentage, Neuvirth is the most appealing “bargain” free agent that could fill a hole left by Dubnyk if the Wild are unable to retain him. (It sounds like Fletcher is making re-signing the Vezina finalist a top priority, but nothing is certain yet.)
Neuvirth has never played more than the 48 games he took part in during 2010-11, but could be ready to take the next step in his career. He’s right around his prime and could benefit (as most goalies could) by playing behind a defensively-strong Minnesota club. Coming off a two-year contract with a $2.6-million cap hit, he would definitely be affordable if Dubnyk departs.