It’s coming fast and furious on the first day of NHL free agency.
After losing center Matt Cullen to free agency, bringing in defenseman Keith Ballard, and losing one of the all-timers in Wild history Pierre Marc-Bouchard to the Islanders, Minnesota has brought back defenseman Jared Spurgeon on a three-year deal.
Hockey Wilderness wondered aloud yesterday what the value of Spurgeon on the open market was, and now we know. Spurgeon will get 2.66 million per year, per Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.
Spurgeon, largely because of his youth (23 years old) and potential to grow in to a possible top line defenseman, was considered a top priority this offseason.
Spurgeon will re-join NHL All-Star First Team member Ryan Suter, All-Rookie Team recipient Jonas Brodin, new addition Ballard, and Marco Scandella as sure contributors on the defensive side of the puck when the Wild take the ice in October.
