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Golden Knights to sign Erik Haula from Wild

By Dave Stevenson

Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula (56) against the Washington Capitals at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula (56) against the Washington Capitals at Xcel Energy Center. The Capitals defeated the Wild 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Vegas Golden Knights are expected to sign Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula. 

The 2017 NHL Expansion Draft will influence how many teams deal with this offseason and the future. One of the teams set to lose an extremely good player was the Minnesota Wild. It seems they have found a way to keep Matt Dumba and Eric Staal, both of whom were exposed. However, it will cost them a hefty price. The Star Tribune is reporting the Golden Knights will sign Wild forward Erik Haula. In exchange for not taking Dumba, Staal or Marco Scandella in the expansion draft, they will also get forward prospect Alex Tuch and a conditional draft pick.

It’s a very hefty price to pay, but the Wild absolutely had to keep their core players. As much potential as Haula has shown, he’s not one of their most important players. Losing Staal would have meant Minnesota losing its top center. Dumba is one of their best defenseman and Scandella is one of their most steady blue liners.

Because Haula wasn’t protected, the Golden Knights are allowed to sign him to an extension, even though he’s a restricted free agent. After a career season in 2015-16, during which he had 14 goals and 34 points, he took a step back last season with just 26 points, though he did have 15 goals.

Meanwhile, Tuch is a highly thought of prospect. He had 37 points in 57 games in his first professional season in the AHL. Tuch got six games with the Wild, but failed to record a point. He was drafted by Minnesota with the 16th overall pick of the 2014 NHL Draft.

Next: 2017 NHL Mock Draft: Using The Legends

In the end, this is all about keeping Dumba. Vegas did well to use their leverage to get two intriguing forwards. With the lack of forward talent available in the NHL expansion draft, this is how the Golden Knights are going to have to get talented forwards.

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