Brandon Duhaime has a new contract. He is staying with the Minnesota Wild for one year and will make $1.1 million. This is a great deal for both sides.
21 CAN YOU DO SOMETHING FOR ME! 🤯
We've re-signed forward Brandon Duhaime to a 1-year deal!
Full details » https://t.co/41bv7UY1Dd#mnwild pic.twitter.com/w9SQD9Cd4e
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) July 16, 2023
Minnesota Wild Commit To A Brandon Duhaime Contract
Finally, a Brandon Duhaime contract is official and the Wild were able to avoid an arbitration hearing. After spending two full seasons with the Wild, Duhaime’s “grit first” playing style has awarded him a one-year contract, worth $1.1 dollars. Duhaime’s contract will last him through seasons 2023-24. Next summer Duahime will walk as an unrestricted free agent. The contract leaves Minnesota with plenty of cap space left to sign goaltender Filip Gustavsson.
Minnesota Resigns Brandom Duhaime
The Wild picked Duhaime during the fourth round in 2016. Duhaime further developed his game until he made the Wilds’ opening night roster in season 2021-22. In Duhaime’s rookie season, he played 80 games, scored six goals and assisted 11 goals.
Since his NHL debut, Duhaime has battled a slew of injuries. The injuries limited Duhaime to playing only 51 games in his second season with the Wild. Nonetheless, Duhaime still managed to score nine goals; three of which were game-winning goals, and assist with one goal.
Duhaime Embodies the “Grit First” Mindset
The “Grit First” mentality did not work for the Wild in the 2023 playoffs. This frame of mind allowed Duhaime to advance his game, impact Minnesota’s bottom six line-up, and earn him a spot in the State of Hockey. The forward is not known for his point production. However, it is the forward’s determination, versatility, and personality that made the Duhaime contract an item on General Manager Bill Guerin‘s offseason to-do list.
When asked about Duhaime, Head Coach Dean Evason said “I’ve tried to impress upon him that he’s a little bit of everything. Gritty, can kill penalties, can play a defensive game, can put pressure on the other team on the forecheck.”
Duhaime is also a beloved character by teammates and fans alike. From eating the starting lineup paper to having his car filled with packing peanuts to accidentally scoring his first goal by bending over to pick up his dropped stick, both fans and teammates feed off the energy Duhaime brings on and off the ice. The attitude that Duhaime brings to the team is a quality that Guerin believes the Wild needs. Especially with Matt Dumba expected to sign elsewhere this offseason. The forward’s energy could just be one of many factors in Guerin’s decision to renew a Brandon Duhaime contract.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
