Dan Wallace: Zucker 5Yrs 27.5M DONE!!!

Good deal, I gotta say though, why did ownership move on from Fletcher if this is all Fenton is gonna do? Yeah, he screwed up Haula/Tuch, but he was a pretty good GM - he did sign Staal to a VERY smart deal, which is hard to do in FA.

I think you could actually make an argument that keeping Staal was the right move.

Anyway, good job by Fenton here

Good #’s & term on both.

Good deal, I gotta say though, why did ownership move on from Fletcher if this is all Fenton is gonna do? Yeah, he screwed up Haula/Tuch, but he was a pretty good GM - he did sign Staal to a VERY smart deal, which is hard to do in FA.

I think you could actually make an argument that keeping Staal was the right move.

Anyway, good job by Fenton here
- jcragcrumple

Of course someone from Buffalo is going to say Fletcher was good, he got fleeced by his trades to Buffalo.

I am extremely happy to see that Zucker is now re-signed and on what should be a good contract for both him and the Wild. This should mean, if they can move Olofsson, that the Wild could be sitting with about $2.5 mil in cap space. I am guessing that Fletcher would have given up more in signing both Dumba and Zucker (just my opinion) and that Fenton has started to make his impression on this team. $5.5 million is right smack in the middle of what was perceived to be what the Wild were offering, and with the rumor that Zucker was asking for over $6 mil. Maybe the "tweaks" (haven't said that in a while) were to first start in on regaining some cap space.

Of course someone from Buffalo is going to say Fletcher was good, he got fleeced by his trades to Buffalo.

I am extremely happy to see that Zucker is now re-signed and on what should be a good contract for both him and the Wild. This should mean, if they can move Olofsson, that the Wild could be sitting with about $2.5 mil in cap space. I am guessing that Fletcher would have given up more in signing both Dumba and Zucker (just my opinion) and that Fenton has started to make his impression on this team. $5.5 million is right smack in the middle of what was perceived to be what the Wild were offering, and with the rumor that Zucker was asking for over $6 mil. Maybe the "tweaks" (haven't said that in a while) were to first start in on regaining some cap space.
- Gusrichards

The Wild are my second favorite team, so I'm trying to play both sides of it. I'm not sure that "fleeced" is the term I'd use from a Buffalo perspective. I'd rather not have Pommer's $5.5 salary, and Scandella is nice, but we suddenly have a glut of LHD, so he may be moving soon.

Staal is easily one of the best FA signings in years. If Fenton isn't changing the core of the team, I just don't get the shakeup

Fantastic news, JZ brings a top end speed and skill to the roster plus he is a great person. Way to go PF for making it happen. Very happy to have Dumba and Zucker locked up.

A 30 goal forward, and a 50 point D-man....both inked for less than 6 million each with decent term. I gotta think Minny likes both contracts.

Job well done, in this foe's opinion!

Good deal, I gotta say though, why did ownership move on from Fletcher if this is all Fenton is gonna do? Yeah, he screwed up Haula/Tuch, but he was a pretty good GM - he did sign Staal to a VERY smart deal, which is hard to do in FA.

I think you could actually make an argument that keeping Staal was the right move.

Anyway, good job by Fenton here
- jcragcrumple

I was hoping Fenton would have been able to be a bit more creative as far as roster moves were concerned this off-season. But I think this off-season has proven that Fletcher's handiwork is irreversible. And no, Fletcher was, in hindsight, pretty bad. He had a long history of trades that turned out to be bad for the team (Nick Leddy for Cam Barker. Brent Burns for Charlie Coyle and not much else. A 1st and 2nd rounder to rent Martin Hanzal. Haula and Tuch to Vegas). The only trade that I can think of that clearly worked out in his favor was the Cal Clutterbuck for Nino Niederreitter trade. His free agent signings haven't been amazing either, with the notable exception of Staal. And I don't know how in God's name Fenton will be able to unload the Parise/Suter contracts a few years from now when they STILL have 3 or 4 more years left on them. Fenton absolutely had to re-sign Zucker and Dumba, but this is still going to be the same roster full of players who disappear in the playoffs.

I was hoping Fenton would have been able to be a bit more creative as far as roster moves were concerned this off-season. But I think this off-season has proven that Fletcher's handiwork is irreversible. And no, Fletcher was, in hindsight, pretty bad. He had a long history of trades that turned out to be bad for the team (Nick Leddy for Cam Barker. Brent Burns for Charlie Coyle and not much else. A 1st and 2nd rounder to rent Martin Hanzal. Haula and Tuch to Vegas). The only trade that I can think of that clearly worked out in his favor was the Cal Clutterbuck for Nino Niederreitter trade. His free agent signings haven't been amazing either, with the notable exception of Staal. And I don't know how in God's name Fenton will be able to unload the Parise/Suter contracts a few years from now when they STILL have 3 or 4 more years left on them. Fenton absolutely had to re-sign Zucker and Dumba, but this is still going to be the same roster full of players who disappear in the playoffs.
- Isojoki

I had completely forgotten about Leddy for Barker.... Ouch ...

That is a very expensive team to be so... bland, I guess?

The roster is virtually identical to last season and it's one of the oldest teams in the league.

That is a very expensive team to be so... bland, I guess?

The roster is virtually identical to last season and it's one of the oldest teams in the league.
- BINGO!

It’s one of the worst roster constructs in the league

It’s one of the worst roster constructs in the league
- Just5

Nobody can touch Det. Not even close. Mtl takes home 2nd. If Parise is healthy, no doubt he can regain his 60+ point season. 4 very solid D, and 6 guys that are all capable and former 20+ goal scorers (granlund, zucker, niederreiter, Coyle all 26 yrs and under). Excited to see what Greenway can produce. Really, that Pateryn signing was the only offseason contract worth complaining about, and Miko will retire in 2 years. But you have a playoff team all locked up.

It’s one of the worst roster constructs in the league
- Just5

They're not going to win the cup, but they are going to make the playoffs year in and year out. How is that "one of the worst roster constructs in the league".

All these people hating on Paul Fenton for not making any trades. Who's to say he hasnt tried and wasnt satisfied with the offered returns? He came into a tough situation, on short notice. I think we all owe him at least a full season of work before anyone passes judgements.

Speaking of trades.... I'll be the optimist here. I think its good he didnt just trade to make a trade. He now has a team together that he can watch for 20+ games and get a feel for what he thinks the team needs. Also, if a guy like Coyle or Nino gets hot early, maybe he can pull the trigger on a trade and get a better return than he could trading a player coming off injuries and surgeries in the summer. Just because he hasnt made a move now, doesnt mean he wont make any. Last year Nashville made the move for Turris quite a ways ahead of the deadline, not sure how much Fenton played a role in it, but he's been around Poile long enough to know how to play the game.

All these people hating on Paul Fenton for not making any trades. Who's to say he hasnt tried and wasnt satisfied with the offered returns? He came into a tough situation, on short notice. I think we all owe him at least a full season of work before anyone passes judgements.

Speaking of trades.... I'll be the optimist here. I think its good he didnt just trade to make a trade. He now has a team together that he can watch for 20+ games and get a feel for what he thinks the team needs. Also, if a guy like Coyle or Nino gets hot early, maybe he can pull the trigger on a trade and get a better return than he could trading a player coming off injuries and surgeries in the summer. Just because he hasnt made a move now, doesnt mean he wont make any. Last year Nashville made the move for Turris quite a ways ahead of the deadline, not sure how much Fenton played a role in it, but he's been around Poile long enough to know how to play the game.
- mnMild

AMEN!!! I agreed with ya 100%.

Nobody can touch Det. Not even close. Mtl takes home 2nd. If Parise is healthy, no doubt he can regain his 60+ point season. 4 very solid D, and 6 guys that are all capable and former 20+ goal scorers (granlund, zucker, niederreiter, Coyle all 26 yrs and under). Excited to see what Greenway can produce. Really, that Pateryn signing was the only offseason contract worth complaining about, and Miko will retire in 2 years. But you have a playoff team all locked up.
- bikeguy99

Well said. MIN is a good young core of guys and these two deals were fantastic. Not too much money, not too many years. Also, DET does have the worst roster situation IMO as well. It’s going to be rough for a few years.

Also forgot to mention that the Preds acquired Johansen well ahead of the trade deadline a couple years ago. Also, i like the fact that Fenton didnt give Zucker or Dumba full trade protection. Unlike Chuckles Fletcher who handed every guy a big contract with full protection. Those are the deals that hurt, not the Parise Suter deals everyone keeps whi ing about. Yes, they got paid, no they haven't won a cup, BUT, this team is far better with those 2 on the ice. Im really hoping Parise can have a season not entirely plagued by injury.

Also forgot to mention that the Preds acquired Johansen well ahead of the trade deadline a couple years ago. Also, i like the fact that Fenton didnt give Zucker or Dumba full trade protection. Unlike Chuckles Fletcher who handed every guy a big contract with full protection. Those are the deals that hurt, not the Parise Suter deals everyone keeps whi ing about. Yes, they got paid, no they haven't won a cup, BUT, this team is far better with those 2 on the ice. Im really hoping Parise can have a season not entirely plagued by injury.

That is a very expensive team to be so... bland, I guess?

The roster is virtually identical to last season and it's one of the oldest teams in the league.
- BINGO!

The average age in the Nhl is 27 and the Wild as a roster are at 27.9. Zucker is only 26 and probably one of the more underrated players in the league. Only two years left for Koivu and Parise will be an eye sore but other than that they still are pretty solid. Suter looks 40 but hes only 33 and still good.

They have Jordan Greenway who is likely to be a beast.

Is there a more bland team than the Carolina Hurricanes? Will get even worse if they trade Skinner and Faulk

It’s one of the worst roster constructs in the league
- Just5

Seriously?!!! WTF are you talking about?

Dan Wallace: Zucker 5Yrs 27.5M DONE!!!
- Dan Wallace

Steal

It’s one of the worst roster constructs in the league
- Just5

Wings
Habs
Sens
and...Hawks

Just to name a few, who WISH they were as BAD a roster construction as Minny...

c'mon by'!!!

All these people hating on Paul Fenton for not making any trades. Who's to say he hasnt tried and wasnt satisfied with the offered returns? He came into a tough situation, on short notice. I think we all owe him at least a full season of work before anyone passes judgements.

Speaking of trades.... I'll be the optimist here. I think its good he didnt just trade to make a trade. He now has a team together that he can watch for 20+ games and get a feel for what he thinks the team needs. Also, if a guy like Coyle or Nino gets hot early, maybe he can pull the trigger on a trade and get a better return than he could trading a player coming off injuries and surgeries in the summer. Just because he hasnt made a move now, doesnt mean he wont make any. Last year Nashville made the move for Turris quite a ways ahead of the deadline, not sure how much Fenton played a role in it, but he's been around Poile long enough to know how to play the game.
- mnMild

Agree with this 100%. The Dumba and Zucker contracts both dont have No Moves does it already for me where Fletch would have handed it to them on a silver platter.

Agree with this 100%. The Dumba and Zucker contracts both dont have No Moves does it already for me where Fletch would have handed it to them on a silver platter.
- Minsoh

They don't have nmc's, but they both will have modified no trade clauses (10 team no trade lists) down the line. Zuckers ntc kicks in next year, and dumbas doesnt kick in until year 4.

Fletcher didnt give everyone protection, Nino, Granny, and cyle all have 0 protection. So maybe he did finally learn his lesson with with guys like pominville and koivu