Brady Skjei will return for Junior season

From @NYRangers prospect camp, @BradySkjei has confirmed his return to the #Gophers. Story: http://t.co/1yWldNMZcc pic.twitter.com/SgFXyLC1pS
— Minnesota M Hockey (@GopherHockey) July 3, 2014

Now that the development camps are in full swing, the Minnesota Gophers got some good news. Defenseman Brady Skjei will return for his junior season.

By Brian Deutsch (GopherSports.com) - Gopher Hockey defenseman Brady Skjei has confirmed he will return to the University of Minnesota for his junior season in 2014-15.

The Lakeville, Minn., native is currently participating at the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp at Madison Square Garden Training Center and informed the National Hockey League (NHL) organization of his decision on Thursday.

Updated: Free Agent Signing

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Santorelli, Mike, C, Vancouver, Toronto, 1.5M, one year

Strachen, Tyson, D, Washington, Buffalo, 600K, one year

Fiddler, Vernon, C, Dallas, Dallas, 2.5m, two years

Gleason, Tim, D, Toronto, Carolina, $1.2M, one year

Vrbata, Radim, RW, Phoenix, Vancouver, $10M, two years

Stortini, Zack, RW, Anaheim, Philadelphia, n/a, one year

McClement, Jay, C, Toronto, Carolina, $1M, one year  

Fiddler, Vernon, C, Dallas, Dallas, $2.5M, two years

Schultz, Nick, D, Columbus, Philadelphia, $1.25M, one year

Kulemin, Nikolai, RW, Toronto, Islanders, $16.75M, four years

Grabovski, Mikhail, C, Washington, Islanders, $20M, four years
  

Minnesota Wild: Say no to Steve Ott

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The Wild need toughness, and I agree that they need to get tougher. However, let's hope the Wild don't sign this piece of dog excrement. I am not in favor of this move whatsoever.  Ott is one of those players that you would definitely hate, and don't ever want to see him on your team, either.

Russo's Rants -- Here’s a look at how the Wild is shaping up to look like next season. This will change undoubtedly throughout the summer as the Wild add and delete players.

Remember, at some point, the Wild’s expected to acquire a physical defenseman to replace Clayton Stoner. It may also look to replace the gritty element up front of Cody McCormick. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun -- the great Pierre LeBrun, I may add -- reports the Wild has shown interest in Steve Ott, the former Dallas Stars agitator/smack talker and Sabres captain who was dealt with Ryan Miller to St. Louis last season. He once fought Cal Clutterbuck twice in the same game after Ott ran Josh Harding either that game or the game before, I can't remember (video of that incident on bottom of blog). Ott can play center and wing and kills penalties.

Toronto has also shown interest in Ott, I have heard.

In my opinion, the Wild already have an agitator in Matt Cooke. They need a forward that can kill penalties, chip in offense and stick up for teammates. Ott has played in 696 NHL games for three different teams, he’s scored (103g-164a—267pts) and has accumulated 1,355 penalty in minutes.

Disclaimer: Of course my opinion on this matter is going to be jaded, I am both a Wild and Bruins fan and I wasn't impressed with his antics when he was with the Buffalo Sabres. I admit that.

Sharks sign Road Cone John Scott

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Western Conference team beware, especially if you're one of those players that skates with their head down. The San Jose Sharks have signed UFA road cone John Scott. The former Michigan Tech Husky inked a one year deal worth 750 thousand dollars.

One thing Scott will never be accused of is being dumb. Anyone that is this bad of a hockey players, and has been able to get paid this much money to play hockey in the best league in the world, has to be a genius.

Scott who has no redeeming quality other than he can fight, has played in 236 NHL games and scored a minuscule (2g-4a—6pts) and racked up an impressive 430 penalty minutes. In his second to last game of the season, Scott was assessed 24 minutes in penalties. Good thing that the Mr. Anger Management has a degree from MTU to fall back on when he's done with hockey.

SAN JOSE, CA - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed free agent forward John Scott to a one-year contract. Scott, 31, ranked 13th in the NHL with 125 penalty minutes in 56 games during the 2013-14 campaign, leading the Buffalo Sabres in that category."John brings a physical, no-nonsense element to our lineup," said Wilson. "As we integrate more younger players to our team, John's presence alone can act as a deterrent and help keep teams and opposing players honest."

Claude Giroux busted for grabbing cops buttocks

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Ruh, roh! Claude Giroux was arrested for grabbing the buttocks of an Ottawa police officer. This is a story made for the tabloid news. Also, alcohol was a factor.

Danielle Bell,Ottawa Sun -- Philadelphia Flyers star Claude Giroux has been released from jail after being arrested for allegedly grabbing the buttocks of a police officer.

Sources say Giroux was arrested for repeatedly grabbing the male police officer's butt during an incident at a downtown Ottawa bar. Alcohol is believed to have been involved.

A witness and sources say the incident occurred at The Great Canadian Cabin in the Byward Market club district.

NHL Free Agency signing

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Campbell, Andrew, D, Los Angeles, Phoenix, n/a, n/a, n/a

Conner, Chris, RW, Pittsburg, Washington, n/a, one year

McKenna, Mike, G, Columbus, Phoenix, n/a, 1, n/a

Goc, Marcel, C, Pittsburg, Pittsburgh, 1.2M, one year

Biega, Alex, D, Vancouver, Vancouver, $600K, one year

Bickel, Stu, D, NY Rangers, Minnesota, $600K, one year

Desjardins, Cedrick, G, Tampa Bay, NY Rangers, $1.2M, two years

Jones, Blair, C, Calgary, Philadelphia, n/a, one year

Conner, Chris, RW, Pittsburgh, Washington, n/a, one year

Skille, Jack, RW, Columbus, NY Islanders, n/a, one year

Quincey, Kyle, D, Detroit, Detroit, $8.5M, two years  

Jason LaBarbera, G, Chicago, Anaheim, $750K, one year

MacIntyre, Drew, G, Toronto, Carolina, $600K, one year

Leggio, David, G, Washington, Islanders, n/a, one year

Chorney, Taylor, D, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, $550K, one year

Jones, Blair, C, Calgary, Philadelphia, n/a, one year

Skille, Jack, RW, Columbus, Islanders, n/a, one year

Now They're all on the Same Team

So cool pic.twitter.com/FquugYYSIO
— Jeff Dubay (@jeffdubay) July 1, 2014

Now all three are on the same team.  Anyone else excited about Thomas Vanek being a member of the Minnesota Wild?

NCAA Hockey: 62 Players Selected in the 2014 NHL Draft

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Originally posted at the Hockey Writers. This past weekend, the NHL held its 2014 Entry Level Draft. A total of 62 current and or committed college hockey players were selected in the 2014 NHL draft. Over half of the teams in college hockey were represented during the 2014 NHL Draft, 31-of-59 division I teams had players that were drafted (.525).

Four college bound players were selected in the first round of 2014 NHL Draft. That’s an increase over last year.

In the 2013 NHL Draft, there was one college bound player selected in the first round, Michael McCarron, the former Western Michigan recruit was selected 25^th overall by the Montreal Canadians. After the 2013 NHL Draft, McCarron decommitted from Western Michigan, and signed a contract with the London Knights of the OHL.

UPDATED: 2014 NHL Free Agency Opent Thread - Vanek to the Wild

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Ehrhoff, Christian, D, Buffalo -  Pittsburgh, 4M one year

Malhotra, Manny, C, Carolina - Montreal $850K one year

Michalek, Milan, LW, Ottawa, Ottawa, 12m, three seasons

Johnson, Chad, G, Boston, New York Islanders, 2.6M two years

Pouliout, Beniot, LW, Rangers, Edmonton, 20M five years

Fayne, Mark, D, New Jersey, Edmonton, 14M, four years

Peters, Justin, G, Carolina, Washington, 1M, two years

Stastny, Paul, C, Colorado, St. Louis, 28M, four years

Cammalleri, Mike, LW, Calgary, New Jersey, 25M, five years

Stoner, Clayton, D, Minnesota, Anaheim, 13M, four years

Jokinen, Jussi, LW, Pittsburgh, Florida, 16M, four years

Boyle, Dan, D, New York Islander, New York Rangers, 9m, two years

Bolland, Dave, C, Toronto, Florida, 27.5M, three years

Gilbert, Tom, D, Florida, Montreal, 5.6M, two years

Raymond, Mason, LW, Toronto, Calgary, 9.5 M, three years

Weaver, Mike, D, Montreal, Montreal, 1.5M, one year

Montoya, Al, G, Winnipeg, Montreal, 1.75M, one year

Miller, Ryan, G, St. Louis, Vancouver, 18M, three years

Lindback, Anders, G, Tampa Bay, Dallas, 925K, one year

Greiss, Thomas, G, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, 1M, one year

Hemsky, Ales, RW, Ottawa, Dallas, 12M, three years

Comeau, Blake, LW, Columbus, Pittsburgh, 700k, one year

Orpik, Brooks, D, Pittsburgh, Washington, 27.5M, five years

Gionta, Brian, RW, Montreal, Buffalo, 12.75M, three years

Perreault, Mathieu, C, Anaheim, Washington, 9M, three years

Thornton, Shawn, RW, Boston, Florida, 2.4M, two years

Hiller, Jonas, G, Anaheim, Calgary, 9M, two years

Vanek, Thomas, LW, Montreal, Minnesota, 19.5M, three years

Robidas, Stephane, D, Anaheim, Toronto, N/A, three years

Glass, Tanner, LW, Pittsburgh, Rangers, 4.35M, three years

Moore, Dominic, C, Rangers, Rangers, 3M, two years

Moulson, Matt, LW, Minnesota, Buffalo, 25M, five years

Havlat, Martin, RW, San Jose, New Jersey, 1.5M, one year

Iginla, Jarome, RW, Boston, Colorado, 16M, three years

Street, Ben, Calgary, Colorado, 650K, N/A

Komarov, Leo, LW, Toronto, Toronto, 11.8M, four years

Regin, Peter, C, Chicago, Chicago, 650K, N/A

Tlusty, Jiri, RW, Carolina, Carolina, 2.95M, one year

Stralman, Anton, D, Rangers, Tampa bay, 20M, five years

Bernier, Steve, RW, New Jersey, New Jersey, 600K, one year

Fedun, Taylor, D, Edmonton, San Jose, 600K, one year

Meuller, Chris, C, Dallas, Rangers, N/A. N/A

Redmond, Zach, D, Winnipeg, Colorado, 1.5M, two years

Engelland, Deryk, D, Pittsburgh, Calgary, 8.7M, three years

McCormick, Cody, C, Minnesota, Buffalo, 4.5M, three years

Brennan, T.J. D, Toronto, Islanders, 600K, one year

Labrie, Pierre-Cedric, LW, Tampa Bay, Chicago N/A, one year

Porter, Kevin, LW, Buffalo, Detroit, N/A, one year

Blunden, Mike, RW, Montreal, Tampa Bay, 600K, one year

Clemmensen, Scott, G, Florida, New Jersey, N/A, one year

Meszaros, Andrei, D, Boston, Buffalo, 4M, one year

Hunwick, Matt, Colorado, Rangers, 600K, one year

Wild Sign Thomas Vanek

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According to Michael Russo of the Startribune, the Minnesota wild have signed former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Montreal Canadiens forward Thomas Vanek to a three-year deal worth 19.5 million. That 's roughly 6.5 million a year. You can read about it here.

Minnesota Wild: Who's it going to be?

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The free agent signing period starts at 11:00 A.M. Central. It would be interesting to see what it would take to sign Jarome Iginla or Thomas Vanek. UFA's Paul Stastny and Vanek sit atop of the list of available free agents.

:Michael Russo, Startribune - Thomas Vanek enjoyed his meeting with Wild coach Mike Yeo late Sunday, and the feeling was said to be mutual. But as of late Monday, it still was up in the air as to whether #VanekWatch would end Tuesday with the former Gophers star ending months of speculation by signing with his hometown NHL team.

The Wild made Vanek’s short list, but agent Steve Bartlett said there were other good options on it, too, as NHL free agency opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The other good options likely will offer Vanek more money and more years than the Wild, which might plan to tender the left winger a short-term deal.

The extra years, and thus security, could alter Vanek’s decision.

“Is it a deal-breaker if he loves everything about the team and they’re shorter term than another team? I don’t think it’s to that extent,” Bartlett said. “It’s just one more of those boxes that you check when you’re trying to make a decision.”

In a slim free-agent class that offers a multitude of forwards with a multitude of red flags, the Wild has shown the most interest in Vanek, the Stillwater resident, and veteran goal scorer Jarome Iginla, who turns 37 Tuesday. The Wild had more conversations Monday with Iginla’s reps in hopes of selling Iginla on its program and how it’s a Stanley Cup contender.

Another reason to stay in school

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Here's a perfect example of why college hockey players shouldn't be in a hurry to leave college and play professional hockey. Even if they're a first round draft choice.

Four years after leaving college, former Minnesota Golden Gopher Jordan Schroeder has played in a mere 56 NHL games and scored an unimpressive (6g-9a—15pts). I know that hind sight is 20/20, but I do  wonder if Schroeder would still leave school early, knowing what he knows now? Stay in school and finish that degree.

VAN will not be qualifying Jordan Schroeder or Zac Dalpe. Both go to UFA.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 30, 2014

Minnesota Wild: The second most exciting time of the year

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Tomorrow is one of the most exciting times of the year. Starting at 11:00 A.M. Central, the 2014 NHL free agent signing period begins. I like many other Wild fans, are excited to see who the Minnesota Wild end up signing. Will there be some former WCHA players calling Saint Paul, MN home? Looks like the Wild aren't looking for long term commitments, either.

Chad Graff, Pioneer Press - Thomas Vanek, 30, is a pure scorer, the type the Wild lacked last season when they finished 24th in goals scored, netting 2.43 per game.

Matt Niskanen, 27, is coming off the best season of his career, having scored 10 goals and recorded 36 assists and a team-best plus-33 rating for the Penguins. He would instantly upgrade the Wild's defense.

But at what cost?

That's what Fletcher is trying to determine in the final days before free agency begins.

With Vanek and Niskanen interested in hearing the Wild's pitch, Fletcher's decision on the two free agents ultimately might be defined more by years than price.

Related articles

• Minnesota WIld: Free Agency Pondering
• Wild Kicking the Tires on Jarome Iginla

Wild Kicking the Tires on Jarome Iginla

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Looks like the Wild are trying to add another top-six forward for their lineup. This is interesting news right here. I wonder what it would take to get Iggy in a Wild uniform? I would also applaud the move if it happened.

Michael Russo, Startribune – The draft is over, no player trades were made, so whether it’s Sunday or Monday, bet that Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher and coach Mike Yeo will try to get together in Minnesota with pending free agents Matt Niskanen and Thomas Vanek.

While those have been the most well-publicized names surrounding Wild interest in advance of the market opening across the NHL Tuesday, the Wild has other lines in the water, too.

The Wild has been in contact with camp, according to multiple sources. It’s unclear if the interest is mutual, but it’s definitely clear that the Wild is interested in potentially signing the future Hall of Fame winger and, ironically, all-time leader in basically every offensive category against the Wild.

Face it, Ryan Mantha isn't coming to UND.

If I was a betting man, and I am. I would say that this kid is OHL bound, and is not heading to UND next fall. No mention what-so-ever about UND. As I wrote in May, since 2011, UND has had five high-end recruits decommit and go the Major Junior route. Mantha would make six.

Update: Brad E. Schlossman from the Grand Forks Herald is reporting that Mantha is an  academic causality.

SNYRangersblogspot.com --On what is next, “we will see soon, Niagra has my rights and it will come down to what the Rangers want me to do.”

Who did you root for growing up, “I didn’t have one but during the Cup I was rooting for the Rangers so this is an awesome feeling.”

From the Rangers: “With the first of the two fourth round selections, New York drafted defenseman Ryan Mantha. The Clarkson, Michigan native split this past season between the Sioux City Musketeers and the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL), registering a total of three goals and 12 assists for 15 points, along with 71 penalty minutes and a plus-11 rating in 53 games. Mantha added three assists in 10 playoff games with Indiana.”

VIDEO: Going one-on-one with #NYR 4th rounder Ryan Mantha today: http://t.co/XftgobtzTW #NYRDraft @SAPsports pic.twitter.com/iIUPuk03AQ
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 28, 2014

Related articles

• UND could end up losing recruit Ryan Mantha, depending on who drafts him
• Ryan Mantha, traded from the Soo to Niagara
• UND recruit Ryan Mantha on the Pipeline show
• Ryan Mantha - The Next Ones: NHL 2014 Draft Prospect Profile
• Breaking Down UND's Decommitments

NCHC Players Drafted in the 2014 NHL Draft

North Dakota freshman forward Nick Schmaltz was the highest incoming NCHC player drafted in the 2014 NHL Entry Level Draft.  There were no incoming NCHC players taken in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft. Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota had the most players taken in this years draft.

10 future NCHC players were selected in the #NHLDraft, including 9 on day 2 Saturday. Read about all 10: http://t.co/hH6J7EqSs1 #NCHCHockey
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) June 29, 2014

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers at the Half Way Point
• NCAA Hockey: Current NCHC Television Deal is Unacceptable
• Most Anticipated NCHC Game: North Dakota vs. Miami

10 future NCHC players were selected in the #NHLDraft, including 9 on day 2 Saturday. Read about all 10: http://t.co/hH6J7EqSs1 #NCHCHockey
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) June 29, 2014

The First Round Impressions RW77 Style

The Draft is Here and with it a Philly crowd who were very VERY vocal about their opinions.

I know it is childish, but it doesn't get old to hear Bettman booed.  But nothing prepared me for the opening speech by a high ranked Flyer official (I can't remember if it was the Team President or whoever I only caught his name as Roger _____ due to spotty internet connectivity).  It's ok to be nervous, and it was clear he was.  It was another thing to come across like you totally just adlibbed an opening message because you were told you were doing it 30 seconds before the microphone turned on.  He was reallly awkward.

Anyways, the news.... there weren't as many trades as NHL Analysts forecasted.  Kesler left for Anaheim and Bonino, Sbisa, and a pick (traded to NYR for Dorsett) came to Vancouver.

Overall, both teams get players that have to learn what the system is.  Kesler has to learn how to play with less diving while Bonino and Dorsett have to learn how to dive while Sbisa takes cheap shots at opposing first line forwards.

A few pick swaps and James Neal leaves Pittsburgh for Nashville for Hornqvist and Spalling.  Tampa Bay also got Garrison from Vancouver for a pick.

Anyways, the Americans did "ok" in the first round.  There were four taken in the first round.  The highest was drafted by my Detroit Red Wings.  Dylan Larkin was taken 15th overall.  He's off to Michigan in the fall... I think.  The next pick was another American in Sonny Milano, a BC recruit (for now... rumor has it he's going OHL).  Alex Tuch went to Minnesota 18th overall.  He's another BC recruit, IIRC.    Of those mentioned above, I think the most likely CHL departure is Milano.  I think next would be Larkin.  Detroit has had a mixed reaction with NCAA players.  Sure, Abdelkader and Nyquist seem to be working fine but Sheahan wasn't really a great experience.    The positive is that Ann Arbor is spitting distance from Joe Louis Arena.

20th overall was San Jose's pick, but they traded the pick to Chicago.  They wasted no time in drafting UND recruit Nick Schmaltz.  Nick, coincidentally idolizes Patrick Kane.  Melrose compared Schmaltz to Ottawa's Jason Spezza.  He also seemed pretty confident that Schmaltz was a future four year player at UND.

I agree insomuch that, of the five Americans drafted in the first round (DeAngelo is also American but he plays in the CHL so he's irrelevant to this discussion), Schmaltz is the least likely to go CHL.

I found it interesting to see how Schmaltz got drafted and how high he did.  Melrose tried to say that Schmaltz was as high as 10th overall and as low as 60th.  First, I saw at least 6 different mock drafts and NONE had Schmaltz higher than 21st.  Only 3 had Nick in the first round (cycled between Montreal and Boston picking around 25 and 26th with one going to St. Louis). 

Barry Melrose started absolutely gushing about UND and mentioned Belfour, Murray, and Toews and seemed to think that this was the best pick of the draft, but who knows.  Every scouting report had two basic complaints about Schmaltz:

1.  Inconsistent game to game.  Sometimes he can dominate and other times he's completely invisible.
2.  One dimensional.  He's offensively gifted and borderline liability in defensive zone.

So, someone compared Schmaltz to Vanek.  Actually, I'd consider him closer to Kessel.  No question Schmaltz has a ton of offensive potential.  No doubt he will develop and more than likely excel at UND.  However, I think we can expect some growing pains with Nick.  I cannot speak to off the ice, but on the ice, I think a good progression for Nick to be compared to is Danny Kristo.  Now, you can sling mud all you want at Minnesota or this analysis because I did only see Schmaltz play live once this last season in a Green Bay win over Omaha.  But what I saw was Schmaltz was fast but otherwise a nonfactor.

That's my first impression.  Now we turn to the coverage towards which CHL team Ryan Mantha will depart for.

Minnesota WIld: Free Agency Pondering

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Michael Russo from the Startribune has some more free agent nuggets today. I love this time of year, this is where the big free agency moves happen. It will be interesting to see what the Wild do next week. I am excited about some of the names that are being thrown around.

Michael Russo, Russo’s Rants – Fletcher did set up meetings in Philadelphia with Thomas Vanek’s agent, Steve Bartlett, and Matt Niskanen’s agent, Neil Sheehy, who helped deliver Ryan Suter to the Wild in 2012. Remember, it was at the St. Paul Airport where I was hiding in the bushes behind a fence (I wish I was exaggerating) and witnessed Fletcher, Craig Leipold, Mike Yeo, Suter’s financial advisor Tom Sagissor and Sheehy get off of Leipold’s private plane after meeting with Suter in Madison.

Leipold’s plane then gave Sheehy a ride back up to International Falls and about 18 hours later on July 4, Suter and Zach Parise were officially signed on the dotted line.

Well, perhaps Sheehy will soon ink another one of his clients on the Wild.

According to sources, the Wild has significant interest in Niskanen, 27, the right-shot defenseman who had a career year in Pittsburgh. But so do other teams, so it’ll be interesting to see how high and how long the Wild’s willing to go. Remember, you can only allegedly talk in general parameters about a contract but nothing can be binding until Tuesday after 11 a.m. CT. Niskanen is 100 percent going to become a free agent.

As for Vanek, he has made big money, so the question is how much does he want to play in Minnesota. I believe the Wild would love him to sign a contract between one to three years so it can also fill two holes.

I am glad that the Minnesota Wild are looking at adding another high-end defenseman. I wrote about this subject over on the Hockey Wilderness. Matt Niskanen would really look good in a red Minnesota Wild jersey. I am sure that Running with The Dogs would love the move as well.

In my humble opinion, the Minnesota Wild are a player or two away from having a really good d-corps. If the Wild could add a high-end free agent defenseman, and delete a defenseman (or two) they could shore up their d-corps substantially. While some might

disagree with me, I think that the Wild are a bit thin on blue line, and their top-six defenders could use an upgrade.

Perusing my twitter feed, a fair number of Wild fans have suggested that the Wild forget about signing the former Golden Gopher Thomas Vanek, and attempt to sign UFA Matt Niskanen during the 2014 free agent signing period. I don't think it's bad idea at all. However, based on how the former Bulldog played this past season, he's not going to come cheap, either. In 81 games with the Pittsburg Penguins, Niskanen scored (10g-36a-46pts). He was also a plus/minus rating of plus-33.

Chicago Blackhawks: Toews and Kane looking to get paid

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Former UND Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are looking to a big payday. The question, will the Hawks pay these two All-Stars that much money?

TNS.CA -- Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane appear to have made their initial ask to the Chicago Blackhawks on a contract extension and are hoping to join the NHL's highest paid players.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, it's believed that Kane and Toews have both asked for salaries of about $12 million per year.

McKenzie notes that both players will likely end up with a lower salary than their initial ask, but could still see $10 million per year averages.

Draft Weekend - Links

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Good morning… The NHL Draft is this weekend and a few UND recruits should be drafted this weekend. Nick Schmaltz should be a low first –second round draft choice. For all of your draft coverage, don’t’ forget to check out the Hockey Writers and the Hockey Wilderness.

Breakaway Hockey School: Focuses on Player Development

Brad might be on vacation in Washington D.C., but he still working. MEN'S HOCKEY:Soon-to-be UND freshman looks to go in first round of NHL draft.

 Gino Odjick’s last fight: Beloved Canucks enforcer battles terminal heart disease

Sounds like Jets forward Evander Kane is on the way outin Winnipeg. It would be interesting to see what teams would be interested in trading for him.

According to Michael Russo, the Minnesota Wild are looking to resign Cody McCormick.