On the Minnesota Wild …
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: The Wild briefly met with Mikael Granlund‘s agent Todd Diamond at the scouting combine. They weren’t even really exploratory talks according to Diamond, but the sides agreed to meet at the draft.
The Wild haven’t spoken with fellow RFA Nino Niederreiter‘s camp. Niederreiter’s name has come up in trade rumors, but they don’t seem to concerned about it.
“With situation, we know that nothing’s going to happen until the expansion draft,” Rufener said. “Chuck has to know first which player he’s going to lose, what trades he’s possibly going to make, so I have full understanding of that. Neither Nino or me were counting on talking before expansion. For us, this is just a totally normal process. We’re excited and looking forward to see how this is going to pan out. We’re very positive and relaxed about it.”
Both Granlund and Niederreiter are arbitration eligible, something Niederrieter’s camp hopes to avoid.
“Chuck knows Nino’s value for the Wild,” Rufener said. “I think we’re both looking for a long-term deal. Nino’s two years away from , so I don’t think a short-term deal would make sense for the Wild to do. I think and I assume we both have the same intention about doing something long-term. But in the business you never know what’ll happen.”
Wild GM Chuck Fletcher wouldn’t comment a few days ago if they asked Jason Pominville to waive his no-movement clause for the expansion draft. Pominville, nor his agent would respond to inquiries, which leads to thinking they did. The Wild could look to trade Pominville this offseason. His 20-team trade list decreases to 10 teams on July 1st. He’s owed a $2.5 million bonus on October 1st.
The Wild were interested in Jonathan Drouin a few years ago. If they are looking to move one of Jonas Brodin or Matt Dumba before the expansion draft, something might work. Drouin is a RFA and with Allan Walsh as his agent, so he’ll be looking for a big contract. The Wild already have to worry about RFA Granlund and Niederreiter, unless they move one of them.