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This is Michael Russo's 18th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses “Russo’s Rants” to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN (100.3 FM) radio and seen weekly on Fox Sports North.

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Wild signs Jonas Brodin to entry-level deal

Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild off-season news Updated: July 12, 2011 - 8:04 PM

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Mikael Granlund-Johan Larsson -- aka "The Future"

Early evening from Chateau Rousseau, where I'm technically on the first day of vacation.

So of course, I went down to watch the development camp. They look good.

Actually, for coverage of development camp this week, be sure to keep checking "The Roman Empire" blog at this link.

Roman's covering camp this week.

The Wild, which should be signing the rest of its restricted free agents soon, signed 2011 first-round pick Jonas Brodin late this afternoon to his entry-level deal. It's complicated as to why the Wild wanted to get this out of the way now, soooooo, don't worry about it.

Here's the writeup for tomorrow's paper:

Jonas Brodin celebrated his 18th birthday in style Tuesday – signing his first NHL contract.

Brodin, one of the Wild’s two first-round picks last month, will still play next season for his Swedish Elite League club, Farjestads. The goal is for the free-wheeling defenseman to come to Minnesota in one year and try to make the club.

“It’s every guy’s dream to sign an NHL contract, so I’m really happy right now,” Brodin, taken 10th overall, said minutes after his first on-ice workout with the Wild during development camp.

Brodin signed a three-year, $2.75 million deal, one that won’t begin until he turns pro with the Wild. In the NHL, his salary-cap hit is $1.475 million when potential bonuses are taken into account.

“He’ll have a good year back in Sweden and then come to camp next year and try to earn a spot,” assistant GM Brent Flahr said. “His skating is effortless, as well as his mobility and footwork. He’ll have to get stronger, but as he gets physically mature, this kid is going to get better and better.”

Playing as a 17-year-old in limited ice time for league champion Farjestad last season, Brodin scored four assists in 42 games. The 6-foot-1, 169-pound native of Karlstad, Sweden, is expected to play for Sweden in the upcoming world junior championships in Alberta.

The Wild has also signed 2010 second-round picks Johan Larsson and Brett Bulmer but has yet to sign 2010 first-round pick Mikael Granlund and 2011 first-round pick Zack Phillips.

Lastly, here's the updated depth chart to hold you over because this may be my last blog for a bit because I'm truthfully going on vacation. You can also, as always, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/russostrib for Wild news when they sign their RFA's:

 
Wild Depth Chart
 
Here’s a look at the Wild's unofficial depth chart for next season as it stands today. There are basically three spots open if one assumes 18 one-way contracts and two two-way contracts (Clayton Stoner and Jared Spurgeon) are certain to make the team. The other three spots (TBD) would come from youngsters vying for spots or external acquisitions (free agency or trades). Alongside each player is his 2011-12 salary and 2011-12 salary-cap hit. The salary-cap ceiling for next season is $64.3 million. The floor is $48.3 million.
 
FORWARDS
 
Line 1: Pierre-Marc Bouchard ($4.25 million salary, $4.08M salary cap hit); Mikko Koivu ($7.29M, $6.75M); Dany Heatley ($8M, $7.5M)
 
Line 2: Guillaume Latendresse ($2.6M, $2.5M); Matt Cullen ($3.5M, $3.5M); Devin Setoguchi ($2.75M; $3M)
 
Line 3: Darroll Powe ($950K, $1.066M); Kyle Brodziak ($1.3M, $1.15M); Cal Clutterbuck ($1.5M, $1.4M)
 
Line 4: Colton Gillies ($600K, $625K); Eric Nystrom ($1.4M, $1.4M); Brad Staubitz ($600K, $575K)
 
Extras: TBD; TBD
 
Note: One or two spots are open depending on if the Wild keeps 13 or 14 forwards (assumes Gillies makes the team), or seven or eight defensemen.
 
Vying for spots: Casey Wellman, Cody Almond, James Sheppard, David McIntyre, Carson McMillan, Matt Kassian, Jed Ortmeyer, Jeff Taffe.
 
Restricted free agents: Wellman, Sheppard, Jarod Palmer
 
Unrestricted free agents: John Madden, Antti Miettinen, Patrick O’Sullivan
 
Minor league unrestricted free agents: Robbie Earl
 
DEFENSEMEN
 
Pair 1: Nick Schultz ($3.6 million salary, $3.5M salary cap hit); Marek Zidlicky ($4M, $4M)
 
Pair 2: Greg Zanon ($2.1M, $1.933M); Mike Lundin ($1M, $1M)
 
Pair 3: Clayton Stoner ($575K, $550K); Jared Spurgeon ($535K, $527K)
 
Extras: TBD; TBD
 
Note: One or two spots are open depending on if the Wild keeps 13 or 14 forwards.
 
Vying for spots: Marco Scandella, Nate Prosser, Justin Falk, Drew Bagnall.
 
Restricted free agents: Falk, Jeff Penner.
 
GOALIES
 
Starter: Niklas Backstrom ($6 million salary, $6M salary cap hit)
 
Backup: Josh Harding ($750K, $750K)
 
SALARY BREAKDOWN
 
• Actual 2011-12 payroll (as of today): $54,769,445*
 
• Salary cap hit: $53,109,777*
 
Notes: Includes bought-out Mark Parrish’s $927,778 payoff and cap hit and bought-out Cam Barker $541,667 payoff and $375,000 cap hit.
 
*These totals include 20 of a possible 23 players (includes Gillies). This doesn’t include the other youngsters vying for the team or possible free-agent or trade acquisitions. That means the payroll and salary-cap hits are in actuality higher because up to three spots will still be filled.
 

older post

Heatley, Setoguchi don Wild jerseys for first time

newer post

Development camp continues, open scrimmages this weekend; Charity hockey game July 20

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