Minnesota Wild

MNWild Two Key Kids Without a Contract With Camp Around the Corner

Sep 10, 2014 • 11:06 pm

WildHBcommunity:MNWild Two Key Kids Without a Contract With Camp Around the Corner

Is it Time to Panic Yet on Darcy and Nino?

The gentlemen and scholar Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has been providing very important updates on both unresolved Minnesota Wild restricted free agents Darcy Kuemper and Nino Niederreiter this month. Russo has gotten participation from both sides of the negotiations for each of these players. Obviously leveraging by both agents Jeff Helperl who represents Kuemper and Andre Rufener who represents Niederreiter was to be expected but it seems the end games are not the same.

Helperl is entering a second contentious contract negotiation with the Wild in reference to Kuemper. The first time around Kuemper was coming off of a Del Wilson Trophy season as the WHL's goalie of the year during the 2010-11 season. Kuemper a 6th round selection in the 2009 NHL Draft by the Wild nearly exercised his right to become a free agent before a pact was worked out and he reported to Houston.

Kuemper's comparables are very tough to diagnose given his quick rise in the Wild's organizational prospect ranks and lack of a proven track record at the NHL level. Kuemper went went 12-8-4 with a .915 save percentage in 26 regular season appearances last season but I am probably in the minority of people that believe he is NHL ready right now. Kuemper shook off a couple rough appearances to put together a confident difference making string of game down the stretch during a unbelievable string of injuries between the pipes for the Wild.

Kuemper battled injuries like just about every other goalie on the roster last season which caused him to miss time when the team needed him. Kuemper it turned out was afflicted with concussion symptoms which has created a very reasonable doubt about whether his ability to to stay healthy should factor into how Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher navigates a very crowded and complicated group of netminders.

Is Kuemper going to the KHL? Nope I don't buy that for a number of reasons but what does concern me right now is the relationship being burned between the organization and Kuemper as each side leverages towards a temporary solution to this contract impasse. Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom are said to be 100% healthy which whether it is true or not is being used to leverage Kuemper rather effectively. Even if Fletcher is playing a game of chicken with Helperl, the salary cap and contracts of both veteran netminders don't allow for much wiggle room for the Wild.

The Wild is essentially protecting themselves with a 2 year 2-way offer structured similar to the deal they agreed to with Jason Zucker this summer. Kuemper and Zucker although they play different positions are in just about the same situation career/potential wise in my mind. Both have flashed an ability to play at the highest level as difference makers while neither is without their flaws or real doubts about consistent contributions.

In the end I have a feeling Kuemper will agree to a 1 year 2-way deal with the Wild because he is so close in my mind to being the #1 guy here in Minnesota that it would be a huge misstep by him to stunt his natural progression by heading over to the KHL or elsewhere to play in 2014-15. Honestly even if Harding and Backstrom begin the season as the duo in net for the Wild, neither has been able to sustain and put together a full season in several years.

Fans often personalize the business aspects of professional sports negotiations and leveraging between the players and the teams they live and die for. I hope Wild fans realize this is less about money and more about NHL future for Kuemper with the Wild. Honestly he has forced Fletcher's hand with his rapid development and size/skill combination between the pipes. While I still believe a healthy Harding is the best netminder in the organization ability wise, Kuemper is very close to being in the conversation.

I think Backstrom is still relevant as an NHL netminder despite the prolonged absence and injury history but at a certain point Fletcher needs to admit he made an error in term when he signed the veteran finn to deal that is a large part of the impasse he is facing with Kuemper right now. Backstrom could still generate trade interest and bail Fletcher and the Wild out if a team loses their #1 guy in the early goings here or it could be the case that Harding just isn't able to get back to where he needs to be. Kuemper needs to be in camp and that means a deal needs to be hammered out with concessions by both sides.

On Nino I see it clearly as a case of both sides realizing that a simple bridge deal has risks for both parties involved. If Niederreiter signs to a one or two year deal and has the type of breakout season I think we all believe him capable of, then Fletcher is on the hook for a massive deal for the Swiss winger while also having to plan for the retention of the other 20-something due to be restricted free agents in the next two seasons.

Rufener who is Nino's agent has floated the idea that a massive deal is on the table from one of the KHL franchises for his client. He made sure to point out that Nino's focus and heart is on returning to Minnesota and being a member of the Wild. I am really hoping that Fletcher can get him back in the fold on a 4-5 year deal in the $4-5M per range. I believe Nino has a higher ceiling and better chance to become a 20+ goal scorer than any of the other 20-something wingers in the organization.

Besides his potential and skillset, I think Nino has been so impressive humility wise since coming to the Wild in the Cal Clutterbuck trade. Niederreiter was allegedly unable or unwilling to play within the system or be conducive to coaching while a member of the New York Islanders organization. Honestly I think Wild fans were waiting for red flags with Nino that never materialized last season because this looks like an absolute highway robbery by Fletcher of Garth Snow.

Nino beyond his offensive capabilities and size, really and truly committed to playing an unselfish role in a mostly defensive assignment during long stretches last season. I am not sure he could have done anything more to prove his commitment and dedication to the Wild and his NHL future. The one hangup is obviously needing to protect the ability to re-sign Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, Jonas Brodin, and others who will have their contracts come do in the next 2 seasons.

I bet Fletcher realizes how important it is to get ahead of the curve with his young core though contract wise before they blow up production wise. I certainly believe Nino is on the verge of a monster year in which he claims a Top 6 spot and becomes a true NHL scorer in addition to being amongst the most defensively capable young forwards in the league.

That's all for now thanks for reading!

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