Update: The team made it official, tweeting out that Winnik has signed a one-year deal worth $660,000.
NEWS: #mnwild has signed forward Daniel Winnik to a one-year, $660,000 contract → https://t.co/2kzAwMrGZk pic.twitter.com/Q19F4wftr4
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 4, 2017
After attending training camp with the Minnesota Wild on a professional try-out, Daniel Winnik is expected to sign with the reigning Central Division champions. After an impressive preseason, Winnik will likely sign on Wednesday after the Wild place players on injured reserve.
Daniel Winnik to Sign with Minnesota Wild
Winnik, 32, has played for the Washington Capitals the past season and a half after being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2016 Trade Deadline. In his first 20 games with the Capitals, Winnik scored just five points at the tail end of the 2015-16 campaign. In the postseason, he went pointless in 12 appearances.
A season ago, Daniel Winnik stepped up his point production. In 72 games with the Presidents Trophy-winning Washington Capitals, Winnik registered 12 goals and 25 points, as well as 49 PIM.
Daniel Winnik tells me it’s at least his plan to sign today with the #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 3, 2017
Though he was a positive CF% player, coming at 50.25%, Winnik was a -1.99 Relative CF% with the best regular season team in the NHL. Looking at GF%, he clocks in at an impressive 61.9%. His 0.77 Relative GF% is positive as well, showing Winnik can still provide in a depth role on a good team.
Recently, Daniel Winnik has been a common pickup for playoff-bound clubs. Winnik has played in the postseason in each of the last six years, appearing for the San Jose Sharks in 2011-12, Anaheim Ducks in 2012-13 and 2013-14, Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014-15, and the Capitals in each of the last two seasons.
With the Minnesota Wild, it looks like he will make it seven consecutive seasons making the Stanley Cup playoffs. Interestingly, Winnik has yet to win the Stanley Cup, even with the success his teams have had in the regular season. After a disappointing first-round appearance against the St. Louis Blues a year ago, the Wild will hope Daniel Winnik can help provide the depth necessary for a good regular season team to push through into playoff success.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
