Negotiations between the Minnesota Wild and goaltender Devan Dubnyk are continuing, but they haven’t been easy, according to multiple reports.
Despite word from both the Wild and Dubnyk’s camp that they want the goaltender to remain in Minnesota, there are still quite a few hurdles standing in the way.
ESPN reports that figuring out the issues is doable, but will require some finesse.
Minnesota doesn’t have a lot of room under the salary cap, and while Dubnyk wants to play for the Wild, he isn’t going to play for peanuts – especially after being nominated for the Vezina Trophy and posting a .929 save percentage last season – second best in the NHL
Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher and Dubnyk’s agent Mike Liut will have to try and find the spot that makes sense for both sides.
“I’m certainly hopeful, but it takes a little bit of time to get everything in place,” Fletcher told ESPN. “There’s a lot of moving pieces. But the dialogue has been good, we’ll see what transpires.”
Exactly where is that point? According to Yahoo Sports, this is a case where the Wild will definitely overpay for Dubnyk, because the unrestricted-free agent-to-be has all the leverage.
The report points to Corey Crawford’s $6 million a year, six-year deal with the Blackhawks as a starting point.
Those kind of numbers could make it difficult for Minnesota, which is already paying Niklas Backstrom $3.4 million and Darcy Kuemper $1.25 million.
More than likely Minnesota would have to make a move with one of them. The Star Tribune’s Michael Russo notes the Wild may not be able to buy out Backstrom, who recently underwent surgery on his elbow.
“The surgery complicates matters in terms of a potential buyout later this month because you can’t buy out an injured player not cleared to play by doctors. The NHL’s first summer buyout period begins the later of June 15 or 48 hours after the Final until June 30.”
Pro Hockey Talk notes the Wild will have about $7.8 million of cap space. In addition to Dubnyk, they also will have to try and reach deals with Mikael Granlund and maybe Kyle Brodziak.
