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NHL Rumors: Minnesota Wild forward spurns KHL, close to re-signing

By Cory Buck

Apr 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Nino Niederreiter (22) is congratulated following his game winning overtime period goal by center Kyle Brodziak (21) and left wing Dany Heatley (15) against the Colorado Avalanche in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Wild right wing Nino Niederreiter (22) is congratulated following his game winning overtime period goal by center Kyle Brodziak (21) and left wing Dany Heatley (15) against the Colorado Avalanche in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Wild can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that one of their promising young forwards won’t be taking the plunge to leave them for a big offer with the KHL in Russia. Forward Nino Niederreiter not only spurned an offer from the second-biggest pro hockey league in the world, but reports indicate he’s close to re-signing with the Wild and should be with the team when training camp opens later in September.

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Niederreiter’s agent, Andre Rufener, essentially told Michael Russo at the Star Tribune that a deal is imminent, despite outside offers for more money from the KHL.

“We are close [to a contract with the Wild] and I really hope and I truly believe that we can get it done,” Rufener said. “It’s in our best interest to get it done before camp, so that’s what we’re trying to do. I’m very positive about it [getting done].”

Niederreiter was acquired by the Wild for forward Cal Clutterbuck last offseason. He tallied 36 points in his first full NHL season after a disastrous start to his career thanks to rampant mismanagement by the New York Islanders.

More importantly for the Wild, Niederreiter came up huge in the playoffs, serving as the team’s Game 7 hero in the first round when he scored the overtime game winner that eliminated Central division champs Colorado Avalanche.

Now the Wild are ready to re-sign the 22-year-old despite what his agent calls an “unbelievable offer” from a KHL team. Rufener said his client would be “leaving over a million and a quarter bucks net after taxes on the table playing in Minnesota and not Russia.”

“That’s a lot of money,” Rufener added. “This guy is a Wild at heart. A Wild at heart.”

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