Goaltender Niklas Backstrom has agreed to a three-year, $10.25 million deal with the Wild — $3.42 million AAV. Backstrom was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 5th. As he is now 35-years old, this is an over 35 contract.
With the deal the Wild secure their starting goaltender for the next three years.
The Finnish netminder has spent his entire career with the Wild joining the club in the 2006-07 season. Last year he was 24-15-3 with a 2.48 goals against average and .909 save percentage leading the Wild back to the Stanley Cup playoffs. He started 42 of the Wild’s 48 games last season. Unfortunately he was injured in the warmup to the Wild’s first playoff game, and did not play in the 5 game first round loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Josh Harding took over as the Minnesota starter following Backstrom’s injury. He is signed through next season and should continue to team with Backstrom as the 1-2 punch in the Minnesota crease.
Backstrom is 184-124-45 in his career with a 2.43 GAA and .917 save percentage.
Minnesota was rumored to be involved in discussions with the Los Angeles Kings in trying to trade for Jonathan Bernier, however Bernier was traded to the Maple Leafs yesterday. It would appear that move helped lead to Backstrom’s re-signing.
After giving out mega contracts to Ryan Suter and Zach Parise last summer, and the salary cap dropping for next season, the Wild are very tight against the cap. Backstrom’s contract represents a relatively cheap option for the type of goaltending he has provided in the past.
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