- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher met with Devan Dubnyk, family and friends (his wife, son, parents, brother, sister, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, three buddies) yesterday morning for half an hour in Las Vegas.
“We had a good conversation,” Dubnyk said by phone from Shadow Creek Golf Course, one of the most famous courses in the world. “The stuff I’ve read has made it definitely a lot bigger than it is. Nothing’s really changed between us. I want to be there. wants me to be there, and we’re going to work as hard as we can to get something done.
“We’re going through the process. We’re in the same spot where we were. Both sides want to make it happen. We’re going to work to try to get something done that both sides are happy with. I feel like we’re going to be able to do that hopefully.”
Dubnyk was asked if he’s worried if they don’t get a deal done before the draft and the Wild potentially make a trade for a goalie.
“I guess, but I hope it doesn’t get there. Knowing that both sides want to get something done, we should be able to avoid a situation like that. But that’s a bit out of my control. I can’t worry about that. You go through it and trust that it’s going to happen.”
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher said that it would be unlikely that they trade up from their No. 20 draft slot. They will draft at No. 20 or trade down. The Wild aren’t expecting to make any “radical changes” to their roster this offseason.
“I’ve been talking to teams every day, and I expect to talk to more teams Tuesday in Vegas,” Fletcher said. “There will be a ton of dialogue, but we’re perfectly content with coming back with our group for next year. Maybe our move will be this summer. Maybe our move will be next summer. But I’m not going to overreact to four bad games in May .”
Fletcher on if he makes a significant trade at the draft.
“I have no idea what that would be right now.”
Defenseman Jared Spurgeon’s name has been mentioned in the rumor mill as he could be looking at a big deal next summer. Fletcher doesn’t feel pressure to trade him.
“If somebody comes up and makes you an offer on any player that’s unbelievable, we’re always going to listen,” he said. “But this notion that we’re trying to move him or shop him is completely wrong. He’s an excellent defenseman. The next two years we’ll have to figure out the long-term, but there’s lots of time to do that. Right now he’s a big part of our team.
“He doesn’t have a big cap hit . He’s an ideal guy for us right now.”
- Michael Russo: The Wild plan to tender qualifying offers for RFA Erik Haula, Mikael Granlund and Christian Folin, as well as minor-leaguers Brett Bulmer and Jared Knight. Curt Gogol and Colton Jobke won’t be qualified.The Blackhawks would be lucky to get a 2nd round pick for Patrick Sharp right now.