Monday, July 07, 2008

Nolan Goes Wild

On Sunday, the Minnesota Wild signed three more players onto the team sheet, adding one to the team update roster. Owen Nolan, Jesse Schultz and Barry Brust were all signed to deals, in order to improve the Wild's chances in the Northwest Division.

Nolan, 36, signed a 2-year deal with the Wild after not receiving a new deal from the Calgary Flames, thanks to salary cap constraints. His deal is believed to be worth $2.75 million per season. With the Flames in 2008, Nolan scored 16 goals and added 16 assists in 77 games. His fantasy value has dwindled some and may continue to do so on the defensively-minded Minnesota Wild.

Schultz, 25, didn't play a game in the regular season for the Atlanta Thrashers last year, but has now been given a chance by the Wild to try and crack their line-up. He signed a 1-year deal.

Brust, 24, was an unrestricted free agent who signed in the AHL last season, before that, he played for the Kings in their goalie strapped season. He has reportedly signed a 2-year deal, worth $1.1 million.

ForwardsDefenseGoaltenders
Marian GaborikBrent BurnsNiklas Backstrom
Andrew BrunetteMarek ZidlickyJosh Harding
Mikko KoivuKim Johnsson
Eric BelangerMarc-Andre Bergeron
Antti MiettinenKurtis Foster
Owen NolanNick Schultz
Mark ParrishMartin Skoula
James Sheppard
Derek Boogaard

The Wild are still in very good shape against the salary cap with the inclusion of Owen Nolan. They now have 18 players signed on and ready at a cap hit of $46.8 million, which leaves them $9.9 million to go on five players. With the backend pretty well sorted out, they could potentially find five players under the $2 million range to fit the bill or look within to do so. Petr Kalus or Colton Gillies could certainly fit the bill.

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