Keeping Jared Spurgeon was a priority for the Minnesota Wild. Spurgeon, a former sixth-round pick of the New York Islanders who wasn't good enough to be signed by the Isles early in his career and wound up with Minnesota as a result, has become one of the Wild's most integral pieces over the last couple of seasons and now has a four-year, $20.75 million contract extension to show for it, according to Michael Russo of the Minnesota Star-Tribune. And while that's good news for the Wild and their fans, the best part of Spurgeon re-signing may actually be the flexibility it provides Minnesota GM Chuck Fletcher.
Per Russo, Fletcher believes Spurgeon's signing and the Wild's defensive depth "absolutely" could allow the team to pursue trades, like at center, later this season.
"Our defense is the strength of our team, it gives us depth and may give us the opportunity to look at different options down the road," Fletcher told Russo.
Gustav Olofsson and Mike Reilly continue to develop outside of the NHL, though Reilly was recalled from the Iowa Wild on Sunday and could make his professional debut anytime now. He's gathered 13 points and three power-play goals in 28 games with Iowa this season. He leads the Wild's AHL affiliate in scoring and shots on goal.
As for the big club, next season Spurgeon will become the second-most expensive blueliner on the team, behind Ryan Suter. Jonas Brodin and Marco Scandella round out a quadfecta that will account for approximately $21 million of the Wild's cap room, per Russo. Matt Dumba, a pending restricted free agent, remains unsigned.
Add it all up, and it sure looks like Fletcher could potentially move one body off his blueline and remain fairly stout there. The question is, what kind of return will he see on the investment of a good, not great player, albeit at a position of league-wide need. The obvious assumption is that Fletcher won't be shopping the likes of Suter or Spurgeon. Ditto Brodin. And while Scandella has taken great strides in recent seasons, likely wouldn't be enough to land a top-notch forward.
The assets are there for Fletcher to deal, just as he himself notes. The issue will be finding a deal that works for both sides and allows him to strengthen his team at forward without weakening his depth on defense.
