Minnesota Wild: Should any of the Remaining UFAs be Resigned?

The Wild currently have five players from last year’s roster in unrestricted free-agent status that have yet to be signed. As the summer rolls along the question is will these players sign an offer to play for the Wild next season, and more importantly should they even be offered that contract.

The offseason free-agency period in the NHL has been described as one to two days of pure excitement followed by two months of pure boredom. The Minnesota Wild seem to have crossed off all of their free-agent needs with the signing of their last RFA Matt Dumba last Thursday. However, as most people could tend to overlook and I’ve pointed out before the depth chart might need a boost of another NHL ready forward to play on the 4th line. Right now the Wild have options to promote from Iowa, but none are really NHL battle tested. So that’s why talk of free-agent signings is not quite over for the Wild.

As many of you already know it’s a HUGE rumor that Virginia Minnesota’s own Matt Cullen is prime to sign a contract to start a career ending second stint with the Wild. While as I’ve pointed out this is completely doable, there seems to be a slight doubt that Cullen will give a hometown discount which will be needed to fit into the Wild’s current cap space of $2.16 million. Coming off a Stanley Cup win with the Penguins where he was considered a big piece, it could drive the interest and price up for Cullen.

So if not Cullen then who? My mind seems to wander to the list of unsigned free-agents, is there a name on that list that could be re-signed for a cap friendly number? If you’re not familiar the list of current unsigned Wild UFAs is Ryan Carter, Chris Porter, Justin Fontaine, David Jones, and Jarret Stoll.

The low-hanging fruit right now is Stoll. There is no way that Stoll will be resigned. After picking him up of waivers the Wild wanted him to be a force on their 4th line and penalty kill. He was unable to accomplish either. Stoll had 19 power play goals against last season, and his possession stats were atrocious at 35.7% Corsi and 38.2 Fenwick. Not exactly indicative of a 33 year old player who is primed for a resurgence.

May 9, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Justin Fontaine (14) celebrates his goal during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fontaine might be the next easiest target to eliminate from the list. The former UMD star never found his scoring touch he had in college or the AHL at the NHL level. In three seasons with the Wild he showed flashes of brilliance that never seemed to catch fire, and last season he burned out completely only putting up 16 points in 60 games. His size won’t let him play the physical game so he’s really not suited to either of the needs the Wild have on the 4th line or PK. There are plenty of players in Iowa that can fill in the depth spots needed, so Fontaine makes little sense to resign.

David Jones came to the Wild as the lone acquisition at last year’s trade deadline. Even though expectations for him were not high, he questionably met them and clear did not exceed them. With his $4 million former contract, everyone knew that he would be taking a pay cut this offseason. I’m not sure what contract talks (if any) have been made with Jones, but I’m betting there might be an issue of price. He still a very good up and down type of player who can be physical when needed and even pitch in a score now and again, so he’s worth taking a look at.

But with limited space the Wild can’t offer too much, and nor should they. I asked Michael Russo the other day what he thought of Jones taking a pay cut to re-sign, and he answered that Jones would be lucky to get the league minimum anywhere at this point. Bottom line with Jones I would not be upset if the Wild sign him, but it needs to be for a price of no more than $750,000…not worth it otherwise.

come down on salary? They'd take league minimum anywhere at this point, I'm betting
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 29, 2016

Chris Porter was a late addition to the Wild roster last season claimed off waivers from the Flyers before the last exhibition game of the preseason. The former Shattuck teammate of Zach Parise has never played anywhere close to a full slate of NHL games in his six NHL stints previous to coming to the Wild. In his 61 career high contests last season, Porter did not exactly set the score sheet on fire. He only mustered seven points and was a minus six in plus minus. He did kill penalties effectively with only seven power play goals against. Porter was a harder worker for the Wild, but bringing him back might make sense only from a depth point of view, and like Fontaine there’s players in Iowa right now that could be a better fit.

Finally, theres’ White Bear Lake (Go Bears!!) native Ryan Carter. Carters’ story is much like Porter’s except with much more NHL games under his belt. Last season he struggled like his line mates Stoll and Porter and failed to really make a consistent impact. Carter’s 16 power play goals against were another sore spot for PK, and it seems that like Porter there’s no real easy place for him to fit in on the lineup.