Wild and Rolston's agent slated to begin negotiations

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: May 29, 2008 - 11:01 PM

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Steve Bartlett, the agent for Wild left winger Brian Rolston, will travel to Minnesota this weekend to meet with his client, and then the Wild.

Rolston, 35, who topped the 30-goal mark in each of his three seasons with the Wild, can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

"I'm going to meet with Brian and try to get a handle of what our thoughts are," Bartlett said.

Assistant General Manager Tom Lynn said Thursday that he and Bartlett have planned to sit down after Bartlett meets with Rolston.

"Most people get into the thick of things in June," Lynn said. "There's never been any doubts in our mind that we wanted Brian back, even going back to the early part of last year. It's just a matter of if we can make it work for both sides."

Bartlett characterized his conversations thus far with the Wild as "informal discussions" and says he wouldn't quantify them as official offers.

The pressure is on the Wild to sign Rolston before he can become a free agent. There aren't many big names available this summer, so Rolston is expected to be a highly coveted player.

Few NHL free agents in the past three years supplied a bigger bang for the buck than the $2.432 million Rolston made annually since signing with the Wild.

He is looking for a multi-year deal with a significant pay increase.

"I'm encouraged we're having discussions, and certainly Brian is extremely happy in Minnesota," Bartlett said. "That's always a good starting point, when one person likes being there and the other people like that player.

"Still, nothing's easy in this new world of NHL [salary] caps, so we'll continue to talk in good faith and see how we can pull it off."

It appears the Wild intends to part ways with veteran Pavol Demitra, who also can become a free agent July 1.

Mitchell hearing upcoming

Lynn will fly to Toronto next week to represent the Wild at an arbitration hearing involving Willie Mitchell. Claiming he should have been paid his $1.775 million salary during the lockout because he was injured (neck), the former Wild defenseman filed a grievance against the team three years ago.

"He didn't miss a game before or after the lockout because of this alleged injury," said Lynn, who said he believes if Mitchell was hurt, it occurred during the 2004 World Championships.

Deadline matters

The Wild has until 4 p.m. Sunday to sign prospect Ondrej Fiala, its second-round draft pick in 2006.

"We haven't made a final decision on him," said Lynn.

Originally, Sunday also was the deadline to sign Julien Sprunger (fourth round, 2004), but with the IIHF and NHL having re-opened the transfer agreement and Sprunger under contract next season with Fribourg of the Swiss League, Sprunger is in limbo until the agreement is finalized.

"We'd like to sign him, but right now it's stalled," Lynn said. "I'm sure when they come to an agreement, they'll grandfather in a window period to sign guys like him."

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