The Minnesota Wild has signed free-agent center Cody Almond, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.
Russo says the team will likely make the deal official at some point today.
Almond inked a contract for one-year and $550,000. The one-way contract likely means he’ll make the team next season.
The Wild are pretty familiar with Almond, the team’s fifth-round draft pick in 2007. Wild coach Mike Yeo worked with Almond when he was the head coach of the Wild’s minor league affiliate, the Houston Aeros. Almond also played previously with the Wild from 2009-12, appearing in only 25 games over 3 seasons.
Almond has spent the last two seasons playing in Geneva, Switzerland playing with Geneve Servette. He had 34 points in 44 games last season.
Russo describes Almond as a left-shot center who can play wing as well as hit, play with an edge, skate well and be solid defensively.
Almond recently signed a five-year deal to stay with Geneve Servette, but apparently things have changed.
Proud to be a part of the Geneve Servette organization for another 5 years! Look forward to many good seasons ahead. #gshc
— Cody Almond (@CodyAlmond2) June 21, 2014
Russo also said in his latest blog post that he believes the Wild are still looking to add a big defenseman who can be a force in front of the net and add some physicality. There are not a lot of those kind of players left in free agency, so Russo and others expect that type of player to come to Minnesota via trade.
Wild Unveil Digital Ticketing
Another new addition for Wild fans for this upcoming season will be digital ticketing for season ticket holders, according to the Pioneer Press.
Instead of receiving paper season tickets, season ticket holders will now receive a smart card, which is about the size of a credit card. This card will contain all of the season ticket holder’s tickets, and will be scanned when fans enter Xcel Energy Center.
Wild Chief Operating Officer Matt Majka told the Pioneer Press that it was time for this change. Majka said it will make forwarding tickets easier and will help reduce printing and paper waste.
