According to a report from the Star Tribune’s Michael Russo, the biggest thing holding up the Minnesota Wild from signing goaltender Devan Dubnyk is the length of the deal.
Russo writes that Dubnyk might be looking for a maximum length eight-year deal while the Wild are entertaining the idea of a four-year offer. In terms of money, Dubnyk wants closer to $5 million while the Wild are offering closer to $4 million per season.
Fletcher on Dubnyk: "This time of year, a little bit of poker is being played…but both sides want to get something done. This is normal."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) June 26, 2015
Fletcher on Dubnyk: "A lot of good conversation. He expressed a desire to come back and we expressed a desire to bring him back."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) June 26, 2015
Dubnyk can talk to potential suitors already, but he is not free to sign anywhere but Minnesota until he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.
The NHL Draft is Friday night in Florida and all of the league’s general managers will be in the same place. That could create a flurry of activity, including trades for goalies. The Pioneer Press reports that Wild GM Chuck Fletcher could aim to trade for a different goalie as soon as Friday night if he doesn’t think the Wild and Dubnyk have bridged the gap in contract talks.
Fletcher said Dubnyk’s camp is aware that Minnesota has other options, but negotiations have been “productive” so far.
The Wild have the No. 20 pick in the draft.
