Wild planning to retain Foster after he recovers

It's not known when, or even if, defenseman Kurtis Foster will be able to play next season after breaking his femur last week, but Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough said Friday he plans to re-sign the free-agent-to-be.

"I don't have to qualify him [to retain his rights], but I will," Risebrough said. "It's a bad message not to do that. He's a good player. He needs a motivation [to rehab], and he doesn't need that stress in his life."

By the June 25 deadline, the Wild will offer Foster a one-year, $1.025 million contract, something insurance will not cover, assistant GM Tom Lynn said.

After nine days in a San Jose, Calif., hospital, Foster, 26, was discharged Friday, flew back to he Twin Cities on a charter aircraft and was admitted into a hospital.

"He was excited about coming home," Risebrough said. "It was complicated getting him home because of his mobility. There was a fear by [Foster] to fly [commercial].

"He's limited to what he can do and can't have weight bearing on it, so it's more comfortable [having him at a hospital] continuing his [physical therapy]."

Asked how many months Foster's expected to be out, Risebrough said: "A long time. The last thing he needs to be thinking about is time frame. Some time next season ... hopefully."

The Wild signed 2007 first-round pick Colton Gillies, 19, to a three-year, $2.625 million deal, beginning with the 2008-09 season ($87,500 signing bonus each year). Gillies also signed an amateur tryout contract to finish the season with the AHL Houston Aeros.

"We really believe in the kid," Risebrough said. "His development has been right on."

Risebrough said Gillies has a chance to make the Wild next season.

"When we're signing any young player, we're trying to find a way to accelerate the growth. If we think the best thing for him is to be here, he will be," Risebrough said.

"Our team is relatively old. We're going to have to make some changes. I'd prefer to make younger changes than older changes."

With the Toronto Maple Leafs -- the Mecca of the hockey universe -- beginning an all-out GM search, it's expected that Risebrough will be a candidate, especially since he's pals with the man leading the search, interim GM Cliff Fletcher.

Risebrough's name has been mentioned with Anaheim's Brian Burke, Detroit's Ken Holland and Carolina's Jim Rutherford.

"I have a comfortable relationship with my new owner [Craig Leipold]," Risebrough said. "The last thing I want is people thinking I'm trying to leave here. I never comment about my own situation. I know 'no comment' will lead to speculation, but the only thing I'll say is I'm very comfortable with the situation here and specifically with the new owner."

• On the night he could have broken Pascal Dupuis' rookie team record for games (77), James Sheppard was a healthy scratch for the first time Friday against Vancouver.

Coach Jacques Lemaire said Sheppard looks tired but said, "This could be a little wakeup call, too, because he could do more. Maybe he doesn't feel he's as important as he could be. ... This kid, he's good. We have to push him more as coaches so he becomes among the top players.

"He has tendency of 'let the guys go, I'm just going to follow,' instead of taking the reins and drive a bit."

• Lemaire said he is thrilled with rookie Benoit Pouliot. "He's got all the tools. He's getting there, but before we see the real Pouliot, it's going to take a couple years," Lemaire said.

• Stephane Veilleux (flu) skated warmups but didn't play. Mark Parrish, Matt Foy and Petteri Nummelin were scratched.