Minnesota Wild Offseason Heats Up with Johansson Signing
As the Minnesota Wild look to rebound from a disappointing first-round exit in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the offseason has become crucial for the franchise. The departure of cap penalties from the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter has granted President of Hockey Operations Bill Guerin significant financial flexibility to enhance the roster. With the shackles officially off, the onus is now on Guerin to assemble the final pieces for a championship team.
In a recent development, the Wild announced the signing of veteran forward Marcus Johansson to a one-year, $800,000 contract, which includes a full no-trade clause. This extension marks Johansson’s third season with the team since first joining during the shortened 2020-21 season. His contributions have been notable, with his most productive season in Minnesota last year, scoring 11 goals and 23 assists over 72 games.
Guerin’s approach has shown promise already, including the acquisition of KHL prospect Danila Yurov and the possibility of trade discussions surrounding Marco Rossi. However, Johansson had reportedly attracted interest from other NHL teams, as well as a potential return to Färjestad in Sweden, where he began his career. Ultimately, he chose to stay in Minnesota, highlighting the team’s commitment to drawing back key players.
Johansson is part of a core that includes other no-trade clause holders, aiming to solidify the team’s playoff ambitions. As discussions continue around superstar Kirill Kaprizov’s potential new contract, the Wild are on the cusp of a transformative offseason that could define their future. With around $15 million in cap space remaining, all eyes will be on how Guerin navigates the upcoming challenges.
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