Wild Roster Moves Leave Promising Look to Upcoming Season

Well Wild fans, you all got your wish, and at a discounted price at that. Thomas Vanek has come "home" for the next three seasons to play with the Minnesota Wild. Although Vanek was the only real big splash the Wild made in the off-season thus far, they are working on resigning much of their young talent by the start of the upcoming season.

However, with new signings come people losing a spot on the roster. Among the losses are Dany Heatley, much to the joy of the Wild fans, and Clayton Stoner both going to the Anaheim Ducks. Heatley was just a thorn in the Minnesota Wild's salary cap and with him gone a lot of room opened up. With Stoner, however, the wild lose 2/3 of the grit they had in the line-up, the other third going to Matt Cooke.

If there is a road block in the upcoming season for the Wild, I think this is the spot to have it. Yes, they will have guys who like to hit some, like Matt Dumba and Keith Ballard, but there won't be that one guy who will drop the gloves when the team needs a kick start or protection from an opposing teams enforcer. If push came to shove, I'm sure Ballard or Brodziak would drop the gloves if absolutely needed, but I think it's still not enough.

The other big question is with the goaltending. People keep asking me why we didn't buy out Backstrom's contract, but due to him being injured at the end of the season, by NHL rule, they were not allowed to. So Backstrom is here to stay, for now. Now Josh Harding. He was having a Veznia Trophy type first half until he was sidelined by a change to his MS medications and didn't play for the rest of the season. Harding is expected to be in training camp come September and is expected to be on the opening day roster come October barring any setbacks. Finally, we have rookie sensation,

Darcy Kuemper and Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryz is not getting signed, as I'm sure much of you probably figured out after the season was over. As for Kuemper, he is still an unsigned restricted free agent and looking like he might be going into arbitration to come to terms on a new contract with the Wild. So who is going to be number one on opening night? I'd put money on Josh Harding with Kuemper as his back-up. Backstrom is the thrid goalie on roster, but remains a healthy scratch.

Now, the rest of the roster. With the additions made, and with who is returning for the upcoming season, I think that the Wild will have one of the most feared rosters in the NHL. All four forward lines have speed and the potential to score, especially with a healthy Zucker, and a returning Fontaine to solidify an already potent roster of wingers. Up the middle of the ice Minnesota still has the three Finish centers, Captain Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund, and rookie sensation Erik Haula. I'd say that those three have a solidified roster spot this season, but as for the fourth center who knows. You have to start with the veteran Kyle Brodziak, but if his game starts to slip in his fourth line role, its still nice to have a couple of options. Recently signed Jordan Schroeder would likely be a good fit on the fourth line as well, and probably is the odd man out as of right now, but you can always slide Charlie Coyle to the center spot and call up another recent signing in Brett Sutter to play on the wing.

The defensive core will be a little easier to keep track of this upcoming season. Your top line will still be Brodin and Suter. Spurgeon likely plays with Scandella and Ballard likely plays with the young Matt Dumba to start the season

. After that, there is Jonathan Blum waiting for his chance to slide back into the line-up and another former Golden Gopher signing, Stu Bickel, waiting right after him. I don't see much change in how things operated back here from last season, but I would like to see a little less of the load put on Suter's shoulders. Will it happen? Probably not, but if he gets cut to around 25 minutes per game, I think he could produce as well as Shea Webber, or Duncan Keith.

Here is how the opening day line-up will look like in my opinion:

Parise-Granlund-Pominville
Vanek-Koivu-Coyle
Cooke-Haula-Niederreiter
Zucker-Brodziak-Fontaine

Suter-Brodin
Scandella-Spurgeon
Ballard-Dumba

Harding
Kuemper

Scratches:
Almond, Backstrom, Sutter, Blum, Bickel, Schroder, and Veilleux

This is an opening day line-up, I think, can be rivaled to any line-up in the entire NHL. I think this is the year that the Minnesota Wild are finally considered as one of the elite teams in the NHL, provided that they stay healthy. This season is looking very promising for the boys in red and green, and could be one Minnesotans have been waiting for for a very long time.

More Heatley, 'I can still play this game'

#488448689 / gettyimages.com

Former Minnesota forward Dany Heatley thinks that he still has something left in the tank. I think you're going to find the former Wisconsin Badgers comments interesting. I do like how Heatley has taken this in stride.  

Lisa Dillman, L.A. Times -- "I feel good," Heatley said. "I feel leaner. I know the knock on me is that I'm not quick enough anymore. I disagree with that. I can still play this game. I'm still quick enough, fast enough, and I can score goals.

"As far as Minnesota, I think they had a lot of great young players. As an older player, sometimes you get pushed to the side a little bit to let the younger guys develop. But at the same time, I feel like I was a good guy to the young kids. I mentored them a little bit. I enjoyed my time there. I just want another chance to show I can play and I think I still can play."

Dany Healtey signed by the Ducks

#490231783 / gettyimages.com

The Ducks have signed former Wisconsin Badgers and Minnesota Wild forward Dany Heatley to a one year contract. According to Darren Dreger , it's for 1 million dollars. The former Wild forward is coming off a tough season, where he spent time in the press box and on the fourth line.  

NHL.COM -- The Ducks have signed left wing Dany Heatley to a one-year contract through the 2014-15 NHL season. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Heatley, 33 (1/21/81), has recorded 372-419=791 points with a +41 rating in 863 career NHL games with Atlanta, Ottawa, San Jose and Minnesota. A two-time 50-goal scorer, Heatley has been named to the NHL All-Star Game four times, named a First Team All-Star in 2007, a Second Team All-Star in 2006 and winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2002.

"Over the years, he’s been a guy I’ve always liked," said Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray. "He’s intriguing because he’s a pure goal scorer, and he’s actually much better away from the puck than people think he is. He struggled the last couple years for different reasons. A great opportunity presented itself. It was a good match."

Minnesota Wild: Vanek not a slam dunk now.

#494499423 / gettyimages.com

Perusing the Web, it looks like the Wild aren't going to through a lot of money at free agents this summer. Former Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek, who once looked like a slam dunk to come to Minnesota, might not be headed here after all.

Mike Russo, StarTribune -- The Wild has a lot of players 28 and older, a lot of players 24 and younger. You don’t want to get too many players north of 30 on long-term deals, so there’s a specific price point I think the Wild’s willing to reach with Vanek. I don’t get the impression the Wild’s willing to sign him to a long-term deal anymore. Vanek will have good options in free agency, so is he really going to sign in Minnesota for two or three years? Hard to believe, especially after reportedly turning down a seven-year, $49 million deal with the Islanders. While that contract probably won’t be on the table with any team anymore, he certainly should still be able to get decent term of four or five years with some teams.

Some fans who email me or tweet me are clamoring for Paul Stastny. He was outstanding against the Wild in the playoffs and his competitiveness and work ethic would be a perfect fit in my opinion on a Wild team who’s M.O. at a minimum in the playoffs was hard work. BUT, he will command bigtime money and term AND I still believe he’ll re-sign in Colorado once the Avs figure out a way to move some money in the next few weeks.

We already knew that the slow footed Dany Heatley Won't be back. With his cap hit gone, the Wild do have a few options to pursue. I am excited for the Free Agency Signing period. Should be interesting.

Michael Russo, StarTribune -- Fletcher will investigate the trade market, but he doesn’t want to trade this year’s first-round pick or “kids we worked so hard to accumulate.” If he delves into free agency, there are two methods to add more offense — a scoring forward or an offensive defenseman.

Maybe that means former Gopher and current Stillwater resident Thomas Vanek, Paul Stastny or Ryan Callahan or maybe that means defenseman Matt Niskanen, a Minnesotan who is only 27 and had a career-best 10 goals, 46 points and plus-33 with Pittsburgh this past season.

But Fletcher says the Wild’s at a stage where it doesn’t have to chase players. There is a specific price point and term the Wild’s willing to reach.

“While this year we have a lot of cap space, things could tighten up over the next two to three years,” said Fletcher, referring to the fact some youngsters could be looking at big paydays. “It’s easy this year to just go out and add a guy, but unless it’s a one-year contract, you have to be pretty mindful. If one of our young guys is going to be better than maybe we’re projecting and he’s going to fill that same role next year or in the future, then we’re just wasting money and we’re going to be short somewhere else.”

The Thomas Vanek question

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#492481979 / gettyimages.com

Eric Duatschek asks some very good questions. Personally, I hope that Thomas Vanek still has a chance to make it to Minnesota. I think he could be the final piece for the Minnesota Wild. Well... that and a solid starting goaltender that can stop the puck and play a majority of the games. I think the Wild have that with Karcy Kuemper. Time will tell.

Eric Duhatschek, Globe and Mail -- THE THOMAS VANEK CONUNDRUM: When times were good in Montreal, there was some talk that the Canadiens might actually consider bidding for Vanek in free agency. Now, it seems highly unlikely, given what a negligible impact he’s had on their run to the semi-finals. But will Minnesota welcome him now, after making inquiries at the deadline, but ultimately settling for Matt Moulson, because the acquisition cost and the dollars out were more affordable? Moulson wasn’t a great fit in Minnesota and the New York Islanders would do well to try and kiss and make up, after dealing him for Vanek in the first place. Minnesota has the great good fortune of having Dany Heatley’s $7-million cap hit disappear after this season, but committing that money to Vanek, a player of questionable playoff pedigree, seems ill-advised at this stage. The Wild seem to have a good thing going, with the group they’ve assembled now. Sitting out free agency this summer makes the most sense for them.

One problem for Vanek is that he's been less than impressive during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Vanek has scored  (5g-3a-8pts) in 13 games. He's also a (-3). That's not going to make teams want to sign him for 7+ million a season.

When Dany Heatley Sits, Wild Win

March, 29, 2014, Minnesota Wild win 3-1 against the Phoenix Coyotes, much maligned forward Dany Heatley is a healthy scratch. Wild fans rejoice.

March 31, 2014, the Minnesota Wild win against the L.A. Kings 3-2. Again, forward Heatley is a healthy scratch.

Is this a coincidence? Maybe.

April 3, 2014, Minnesota loses in a shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2., Heatley is a minus (-1) and plays 4th line minutes.

April 5, 2014, the Minnesota Wild shutout the Pittsburg Penguins 4-0, Heatley is again sitting in the press box with a suit and tie.

One of my Facebook friends brought this point up, and I had to look into this further. One has to think that Heatley’s final playing days with the Wild are going to be uneventful, with him sitting in the stands in a suit and tie.

Let’s think about this from an economic angle. For $5,000,000.00 dollars you get this kind of production (12g-15a—27pts). For $600,000.00 you get this kind of production (13g-8a—21pts). To be fair, neither player has produced much in the way of points the last five games. Heatley has (0g-0a—0pts) and Justin Fontaine has scored (0g-1a—1pts). That being said, Fontaine isn’t a defensive liability like Heatley is.

If Heatley hadn't been hurt last season, he would have been an amnesty buyout during the summer. The season can't end fast enough for Heatley. The guy needs a new start in a place not called Minnesota. That being said, he’s not going to be sign another deal for 5 Million a year and play first line minutes for anyone in the NHL.

Two Games Without Heater and Two Wild Wins

For the first time in his career Saturday, Dany Heatley was a healthy scratch for the Minnesota Wild as they played Phoenix, in what quite possibly was the biggest regular season game for the Wild to this point.

Being demoted to the fourth line this season, Heater hasn't done much for the Wild, but I still will say the trade to San Jose to get him was one worth while. It got rid of a Martin Havlat who really didn't do much of anything for the Minnesota Wild.

However, is the offensive fuel for Dany Heatley running on empty? I think these past two games have shown that. His veteran presence in the locker room is probably one that is well liked, but his lack of production on the ice is one I think the fans won't miss.

Maybe Heatley was the thorn in the side as of late, keeping guys like former UMD Bulldog Justin Fontaine off the ice and I'm sure many will agree to this, and because of this, I don't see Heater getting much, if any, playing time until the playoffs, if he even gets any there.

Your Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winner, There's Probably no Question

Again, another great free image from Getty Images. From my post that I wrote at the Hockey Wilderness today.  This should put a lot of things into context for you.

The Big Red line of left wing David Hukalo (15g-24a—39pts), center Steve Reinprecht (26g-40a—66pts) and right wing Dany Heatley (28g-28a—56pts) lite up the college hockey world.

Just or comparison sake, the Boston College forward line of leftwing Johnny Gaudreau (32g-37a—69pts), center Bill Arnold (12g-36a—48pts, and rightwing Kevin Hayes (24g-32a—56pts) is the best line in college hockey this season.

The Big Red Line of the Wisconsin Badgers was a very good forward line, there's no disputing that, they scored 161 points combined during the 1999-00 season. Check this out, the line that Boston College forward Johnny Gaudreau is a member is on, has scored an eye popping 173 points this season. That's 12 points past the storied Wisconsin line. Also, that line has at least one more game left to play this season. You have to wonder what kind of damage they can do if they make the Frozen Four and play in the championship game. That's four more games. They could hit 180-200 points combined.  

Related articles

• Dany Heatley is Unhappy With his Playing Time (hockeywilderness.com)
• NCAA Hockey: Johnny Gaudreau Heir Apparent for the 2014 Hobey Baker (thehockeywriters.com)

Zach Parise goal versus Chicago

s/t Fell0096 Minnesota Wild Forward Zach Parise scores his sixth goal of the season to give the Minnesota Wild a 1-0 lead in the first period of tonight's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Thomas Vanek and Sabres 'suffering'

Wow! This is an interesting post from Fantasy Sports Portal. I guess there are a few NHL teams that need scoring and goaltending would probably take these high-end players off of their hand for the right price.

If the Wild were to get Thomas Vanek

What once looked like a pipe dream is now looking more and more like a possibility. Since April, it’s been no secret that the Minnesota Wild are interested in acquiring former Minnesota Gophers and current Buffalo Sabres Forward Thomas Vanek. The buzz has been picking up more and more… I for one think that Vanek would look very good in the Wild Christmas jersey, or that’s what I call it.

On Monday, Minnesota Wild beat writer Michael Russo was filling in for the host Paul Allen on KFAN 100.3, during the second hour of broadcast a caller asked Michael Russo of the Star Tribune if the Minnesota Wild were trying to acquire Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek and he said yes.

Looking at the website Capgeek you will see that after this season Dany Heatley is an unrestricted free agent and his contract is off the books next summer, the Minnesota Wild will be able to comfortably sign Vanek who is also a unrestricted free agent. Heatley is currently making 7,500,000.00 and Vanek is currently making 7,142,857.00.

Here is the current forward crop per Michael Russo, you can only imagine what Vanek would do to the Wild Lineup.

Zach Parise ($7.5+M)-- Mikko Koivu (6.75M)--**Jason Pominville (4.505M)
*Jason Zucker ($833,333)--*Charlie Coyle (975K)-- Dany Heatley (7.5M)
Matt Cooke -- (2.5M) Kyle Brodziak--(2.83+M)--*Nino Niederreiter (2.795M)
Mike Rupp (1.5M) -- Zenon Konopka--(925K)-- Torrey Mitchell (1.9M)

(Video) End of the Wild and Sharks game

Since when is it now permissible to cross-check your opponent multiple times in the NHL? The refs in this game should be punished the NHL’s head of officials for their performance at the end of this game. After re-watching this video, I am more upset because the NHL officials are supposed to be the best in the world and should be held to a higher standard. This is kind of bushleague officiating is unacceptable, and their not calling penalties led to this ugly incident.

If you don't believe me, go back and watch the video again.

I included the play leading up to the exchange between Heatley and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. If the refs were doing their job, you might not have the play leading up to the slashes in question, because the players in question might have already been sitting in the penalty box. I am also not opposed to the NHL’s Department of Players Safety giving  Minnesota's Heatley a fine as well, after re-watching the video a few times, because if he connects with Vlasic, he could have done a lot of damage as well.

San Jose’s Marc-Edouard Vlasic sticks the Wild’s Dany Heatley

First off, Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic needs to be suspended for a very long time by the Department of Player Safety for his vicious attack on Wild forward Dany Heatley. There is no way you can justify this attack. Sounds like Heatley could be out of the line-up for a while. Michael Russo does a pretty good job of drawing this up. S/t for the video by Andy Johnson.

Vlasic slashed Heatley across the top of the back. Heatley got up and tried to connect with his stick and missed. Vlasic then two-handed Heatley across the forearm and jumped him. Vlasic got the shirt over top Heatley’s head, lifted him and then violently one-last time drove him down to the ice. That appears to be when Heatley got hurt. He skated to the exit in pain.

Zach Parise's no goal.

At first look, it appeared that Zach Parise had scored with 4:37 left in the second period of tonight's game between Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild. After further review, the refs determined correctly that Zach had punched the puck into the net with his glove.

Dany Heatley and Zach Parise's magical night

While the game didn't go the way that Wild fans would have wanted, Zach Parise (2g-1a-3—pts), Mikko Koivu (1g-1a—2pts) and Dany Heatley (1g-1a—2pts) all had a pretty good night and scored all four of the Wild goals. The Blues would win the game in overtime with a goal from former Boston Bruins forward Vladimir Sobotka.

Former Sioux Oshie and Stafford make the Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Right Wing Rankings

First off, that is a pretty good selection of WCHA talent – in Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Right Wing Rankings – there are two Badgers, two Sioux and two Gophers – it’s a shame that the old WCHA is breaking up after this season and becoming the nWCHA.

That being said, I am not sure how anyone can rank Winnipeg Jets sand former Minnesota Gopher Blake Wheeler as the 15th best Right Wing in the NHL – even if it is just for fantasy hockey. Seriously and no really?

I would also question whether Wheeler is a better fantasy player than Dany Heatly, Drew Stafford or even T.J. Oshie for that matter. The reason I say this is that I watched him play for two and three quarter season with the Boston Bruins and a team just doesn’t trade away a first round draft choice unless his game is flawed.

I am speaking big picture here – like I mentioned in another blog post, I have watched a lot of hockey over the last 10-15 years and I have never seen a bigger bodied player in the NHL that was as soft as Blake Wheeler is. The Bruins wanted him to work on that aspect of his game as well. I would take Oshie just for the physical aspect that he brings to the game. In the fantasy hockey groups that I am in penalty minutes and hits have counted.

This isn’t a concept that also disappeared when he left the Boston Bruins either. This is what the a blogger from the Artic Ice Hockey Bettman's Nightmare, had to say about Wheeler.

Though not the kind of big-body player that plays the physical game, nor parks in front of the net, I think the pros far outweigh the cons with Wheeler's game. Did I mention he's not afraid to block some shots?

That begs the question, since we’re talking about right wings. I you had to pick a right wing as your first over-all pick for your fantasy hockey team, who would be your first pick? Why? My first pick would be Tyler Seguin because I think that he has an amazing upside.

1. COREY PERRY
2. TYLER SEGUIN
3. Marian Hossa (inj.)
4. JOE PAVELSKI - Wisconsin
5. PHIL KESSEL - Minnesota
6. Marian Gaborik (inj.)
7. PATRICK KANE
8. JORDAN EBERLE
9. ERIK COLE - Clarkson
10. DUSTIN BROWN
11. MARTIN ST. LOUIS - Vermont
15. BLAKE WHEELER - Minnesota
19. DANY HEATLEY - Wisconsin
22. T.J. OSHIE - North Dakota
25. NATHAN HORTON
34. DREW STAFFORD - North Dakota

Updated Wild Wild Depth Chart

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has the updated the depth chart for the Minnesota Wild. Seems like the Wild have a lot more talent to work with than other years. It will be interesting to see if former Denver Pioneer Jason Zucker can make the Wild out of training camp or if he will need a year in the minors before he makes the Wild.

It also seems like the Wild have a few pieces that they could trade if they had to. One question mark is whether Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard will be able to make a comeback after suffering another concussion last season.

FORWARDS

Left wing-Center-Right wing

First line: Zach Parise-Mikko Koivu-Dany Heatley
Second line: Devin Setoguchi -Mikael Granlund-Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Third line: Matt Cullen-Kyle Brodziak-Cal Clutterbuck
Fourth line: Darroll Powe-Zenon Konopka-Torrey Mitchell
Extra: Matt Kassian

Vying for spots: Kassian, Stephane Veilleux, Jake Dowell, Jason Zucker, Brett Bulmer, Charlie Coyle, Johan Larsson, Nick Palmieri, Zack Phillips, Chad Rau, Jarod Palmer, Kris Foucault, David McIntyre, Carson McMillan, Justin Fontaine, Joel Broda.

DEFENSEMEN

Left-Right

First pair: Ryan Suter-Jared Spurgeon
Second pair: Marco Scandella-Tom Gilbert
Third pair: Clayton Stoner-Justin Falk/Nate Prosser
Extra: Falk/Prosser

Vying for spots: Falk, Prosser, Jonas Brodin, Steven Kampfer, Matt Dumba, Brian Connelly, Tyler Cuma, Chay Genoway, Drew Bagnall, Kyle Medvec, Josh Caron, Colton Jobke

GOALTENDERS

No. 1: Niklas Backstrom
No. 2: Josh Harding
In the wings: Matt Hackett, Darcy Kuemper

Devin Setoguchi's epic fail.

Minnesota Wild forward Devin Setoguchi scored the game tying goal with ten seconds  remaining in the third period of last night's game against the Montreal Canadians. Setoguchi's goal tied the game to send the game to overtime. The Wild and the Canadians didn't score during the extra session.

Setoguchi was able to go from hero to goat in about ten minutes in time with this epic failure. Fast forward to the shootout, the Wild forward  Setoguchi has a chance to extend the shootout, but he falls flat on his face during his failed attempt in the shootout.

Related articles

• Devin Setoguchi Falls On His Ass In Season's Worst Shootout Attempt [Video] (deadspin.com)
• Minnesota Wild falls to Montreal Canadiens in shootout after Devin Setoguchi ... - Toronto Star (thestar.com)
• Minnesota Wild Video: Watch Devin Setoguchi's Epic Fail in Shootout vs Canadiens (bleacherreport.com)
• Wild Night in Montreal (insidehockey.com)

There is a God; Wild trade James Sheppard.

Image via WikipediaWow! This summer has turned out to be pretty good for the Minnesota Wild, they have made another note worthy trade, the Minnesota Wild finally unloaded Wild waste of a serviceable uniform James Sheppard.

Sheppard once labeled untouchable by former GM buffoon Doug Risebrough has been nothing less than an utter disappointment with the Minnesota Wild.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose and Minnesota have made their third trade of the off-season, with centre James Sheppard going from the Wild to the Sharks on Sunday for a third-round draft pick in 2013.

Sheppard was the ninth overall pick in the 2006 draft, but the native of Lower Sackville, N.S., never performed up to his first-round potential. He missed all of last season after breaking his left kneecap in an off-ice accident. Sheppard has 11 goals and 38 assists in 224 career games.

Sheppard was a restricted free agent, but he has already a signed contract with the Sharks.

In June, San Jose sent Devin Setoguchi as part of a package to Minnesota for all-star defenceman Brent Burns. Last month, the Sharks traded Dany Heatley to the Wild for Martin Havlat.

Related articles

• Sharks acquire centre James Sheppard from Wild for a 2013 draft pick (thehockeynews.com)
• Sharks acquire centre James Sheppard from Wild (theglobeandmail.com)
• Sharks acquire C James Sheppard from Wild (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Sharks Acquire C James Sheppard From Wild (abcnews.go.com)
• Sharks Acquire C James Sheppard From Wild (nytimes.com)

Wild Trade Martin Havlat for Ex-Badger Dany Heatley

Image via WikipediaWe don't need no stinking Badgers... I have to say that I am still in a state of shock, the Minnesota Wild pull off their second major block buster trade of the offseason in less than two weeks. Just 9 days ago the Minnesota Wild traded defenseman Brent Burns to the Sharks for forward Devin Setoguchi.

The Minnesota Wild have traded for ex-Wisconsin Badgers star and San Jose Shark Dany Heatley in exchange the Sharks get much injured and soft Martin Havlat. This could be a great trade because the Wild get their much need offensive threat after losing Marian Gaborik to the New York Rangers.

Carly Peters - Digital Media Coordinator “We are excited to add Dany Heatley, one of the top goal scorers in the NHL, to our team,” said Fletcher. “He is a quality player who has averaged more than a point a game in his nine-year career.”

Heatley recorded 64 points (26-38=64) in 80 games last season with the Sharks. The 30-year-old native of Freiburg, Germany ranked tied for 12th in the NHL with 11 power-play goals and added five game-winning goals. Heatley added nine points (3-6=9) in 18 playoff games. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound winger ranks first in the NHL in power-play goals (128) and game-winning goals (58), third in goals and fifth in points since he entered the league in 2001. He has has collected 689 points (325-364=689) in 669 career contests in nine seasons with Atlanta, Ottawa and San Jose. He was the winner of the 2002 Calder Memorial Trophy, named to the 2006 NHL Second All-Star Team, the 2007 First All-Star Team and has been named to the NHL All-Star Game four times.

Heatley is familiar with the midwest, having played two seasons (1999-2001) at the University of Wisconsin, where he notched 113 points (52-61=113) in 77 games and was named the 2000 WCHA Rookie of the Year and to the 2001 NCAA West First All-American Team. He was originally selected by the Thrashers with the second overall pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Havlat tallied 116 points (40-76=116) in 151 games in two seasons with Minnesota. The 30-year-old has recorded 512 points (209-303=512) in 621 career NHL games with Ottawa, Chicago and the Wild.

You have to wonder if the Wild are done making moves? This could turn out being a very exciting summer. The Wild have some exciting young talent waiting in the wings as well in Zucker, Larsson, and Granlund.