Wild Offseason

[Bear55]

We still retain his rights, if he wants to try and hold out I guess we just roll with backs and harding and hope for the best. Like I mentioned above Bryz is still there and probably happy to work for cheap if we need him.

[BartmanMN]

We would have already signed Kuemper if we didn't need to save money to pay all the young guns next season.

[OnAFly]

where did you read that?

[Bear55]

Might be some truth there, Coyle, Granny, Haula, Brodin & Scandella are all RFA's next year. They will all get raises and some of them could be big ones.

[OnAFly]

My post was ambiguous.

Anyone know where it was written that Kuemper was looking at the KHL?

[CaptainMusky]

Saw it on bleacher report. Could be a posturing move but that's where I read it.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hoc...ll?v=1&vc=3

[bbfenatic]

That article pretty much sums it up. After getting the team in good position except for goalie do they want to roll the dice on Backs and Harding or give Kemps what he wants? I'd rather they roll the dice and see who else is out there come December or bring Bryz back...I am not overly impressed with Kemps anyways. If things going OK at goalie early in the season they may want to pickup that D-man they need as well.

[OnAFly]

I have to wonder how this effects these guys in the eyes of their team mates. An RFA with a half a year's NHL experience arguing for term and $$ has got to [PoorWordUsage] off some of the vets.

[CaptainMusky]

I agree onafly. This wouldn't sit well with me that's for sure. Pay your dues. Everyone has a common goal and should be a championship. They won't get there with me first attitudes. Having said that I'm not sure if this is kuemper or his agent. Doesn't nino have the same agent?

[OnAFly]

Apparently Nino declined a KHL offer that would have given him >$1M more than what he will likely make here. This is a good sign

[10,000 Casts]

The KHL is a thorn in the Wild's side right now. Nino got the big contract offer and I supposed Kuemper's offer is pretty good too. Sounds like Kuemper just wants a one year one way deal so he makes good money while he is in the minors and you can't blame him for that. Nino could be a long term up to 6 year deal.. Frugal Fletcher might have to give a little here. All I can think is he has some more deals up his sleeve that he'll need the cap space.

I say don't sign Nino to anymore than a 3 year deal and give Kuemper his one way contract, he earned it last year.

[CaptainMusky]

IDK a one way deal for kuemper makes it really tough. 3 goalies on that type of deal? Kuemper did bail them out last year but if harding didn't do what he did at the beginning of the year it wouldn't matter what kuemper did. 32 games does not a career make.

[OnAFly]

Kuemper wants the one way deal just so that if he does wind up in Iowa, he still gets his NHL salary. It's all about $$ right now and in the future. If he gives Kuemper a plush contract, he's setting the stage for the next 5 he's got to do next year. Tough spot for Fletch, and it couldn't have been a worse agent to deal with from what I've read.

[PierBridge]

I know im in the minority here. But I hope he holds firm on Nino and definetly not more than 3 years.

I need to see a much better effort out of him during the regular season.

Yeah he had good playoff run I get that.

Go Fletch!

[bbfenatic]

IMO Nino is worthy of the deal over Kemp, Kemp won games but it was the play in front of him that won the games, not like he stood on his head and stole games. Tough speedy players with good shots are hard to find, along with the fact that Nino's gritty grinding style make Nino an asset we need. Kemps is being guaranteed a one way for year two (next year) plus the NHL $ if he does get called up this year.

[10,000 Casts]

Kuemper seems injury prone to me and he is unproven but the fact is we need him because our goaltending is a huge question mark. As soon as Backstron or Harding pull a muscle in warm ups and are our 2-3 weeks which always happens... they'll need to have someone to call up. And then if Backstrom just plain is horrible, or if harding's condition flairs up, they'll need him to Start.. Kuemper is pretty good insurance.

I just looked up Matt Hackett's stats and he seems to be strugling. 1-6 last year at Buffalo and 13-17 in the minors.. That surprised me. The wild are the opposite of the Twins in that their players that leave do worse instead of making all star teams..

[PierBridge]

I would bet Nino signs in the next week or so ...

[PierBridge]

Also very sad news about Bob Suter.

Prayers sent to the Suter family.

[OnAFly]

No kidding, 57 is pretty young. I've got a history of heart attacks in my family, so seeing this kind of stuff happen hits home with me.

[CaptainMusky]

Sad deal about Bob Suter. Definite ICON in the sport. I didnt realize he was involved with Wild Scouting, that is cool, but a huge loss to the Hockey World. Sad day indeed.

Nino is apparently getting close to signing. His agent commented by training camp he should be signed. Thats a good sign, PUN intended.

[Bear55]

Last rumor I saw was Fletcher offers a longer term with maybe some projection on his development. Might be a bigger number than we expect but it could also be a bargain down the road. Get it done already!

[CaptainMusky]

We got Nino. 3 yes $8M

[bbfenatic]

Saw that..good deal for both parties IMO

[OnAFly]

Good deal, now maybe Kuemper will pull his head out.

[Bear55]

Perfect, lets drop the puck already!