Minnesota Wild: Antoine Vermette Is Worth A Tryout Offer

The Minnesota Wild are lacking space on their depth chart, but that shouldn’t stop them offering Antoine Vermette a PTO.

The risk in the Minnesota Wild offering him a Professional Tryout Offer is minimal, though it does require him to bet on himself.

Best case scenario; he exceeds expectations at training camp and is worth offering a low value, low risk one-year contract.

Worst case scenario; he fails to perform well at the Minnesota Wild training camp, gets released from his tryout and sets his chances elsewhere.

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Vermette played with the Anaheim Ducks last year and whilst he only put up 16 points, he rocked an exceedingly high 60% face-off win percentage. That was no mere anomaly either, his lowest percentage across his NHL career is still an above average 54%.

The saying goes nothing risked, nothing gained for a reason.

Now, the risk of such a move is upsetting your current centre depth, especially new arrival Eric Fehr who likely wouldn’t be best pleased competing for his spot.

However, in Vermette the Wild would be looking at a player with truly impressive face-off statistics. That in itself makes him worthwhile if only for teaching the youngsters a thing or two. That and it screams value on the penalty kill.

Couple the fact he is a player with Stanley Cup pedigree too; the perfect role model to place alongside someone like Jordan Greenway.

However, incidents of yesteryear shouldn’t be forgotten; his slash on a linesman a while back springs to mind. Maybe he isn’t that role model in all aspects of his game.

If he were to be signed, his previous highs of 30-40 points aren’t likely to be matched, but he could provide very experienced competition to the roster. Even sitting in the press box from time to time wouldn’t be a concern; it’s hardly about to stunt his development.

Maybe, just maybe, he exceeds expectations and is a useful bottom-six piece en route to the play-offs. Alternately, maybe he does enough to offer out as a rental at the trade deadline and snatch some draft picks to help replenish the prospect pool.

A tryout is exactly that, its commitment and risk free. Risks often reap rewards.

I’m all for taking the risk, bringing him on-board with the Minnesota Wild and seeing where it all goes.