One free agent every NHL team should sign this offseason
By C.L. Kohuss
Minnesota Wild: Antoine Roussel, Left Wing
Minnesota had itself a really good year, finishing third in the Central Division with 101 points before getting trounced in Round 1 by the Winnipeg Jets. Some of that could be laid on the fact that star defenseman Ryan Suter got hurt just before the playoffs. Forward Zach Parise was also lost mid-series. We aren’t sure it would have mattered.
As it stands, Minnesota will look at having anywhere from $8 million to $13 million in cap space this summer. It’s going to be difficult for them to make a splash with four restricted free agents on the roster. That includes Jason Zucker who scored 33 goals and defenseman Matt Dumba who had 50 points. Almost all of the money they have available is likely to reach those two.
The problem is that the Wild have a few contracts that are destroying them now and are set to destroy them for years to come. As mentioned, Parise was lost in the playoffs after only appearing in 42 regular season games. He’s averaged 61 games played over his last six seasons, and they have him locked up at $7.5 million for the next six (!) years. Parise also has a no movement clause and he’s set to turn 34 in July. Good. Luck.
On top of that, Suter is signed to the exact same deal. He’s still a wonderful defenseman, but he’s 33 and also has a no movement clause. How many more great seasons should they expect from him?
Fortunately, Minnesota isn’t drowning and in need of much help. Again, they just placed third in a notoriously tough division. So the decision on who to sign really comes down to money and style of play. Antoine Roussel didn’t have a great year numbers-wise for the Dallas Stars, but it wasn’t really his role. In a new system under Ken Hitchcock, he was asked to play as a heavy forechecker on the fourth line so as to create opportunities. He only put up 17 points, but he can dial in 12 to 15 goals and 30 points as shown in his previous four seasons under Lindy Ruff.
Roussel won’t break the bank either at somewhere around $2 million, and he’s a fan-favorite in Dallas who would quickly become a fan-favorite in Minnesota as a pest who can be counted on for depth scoring. He has to be watched closely as he can rack up the penalties, but he’s a solid player that thrives in a fast-paced system of play. Plus, Minnesota could use more nasty in its game.