The Wild has agreed to terms with its winningest goalie in franchise history.
Niklas Backstrom has agreed to a three-year deal worth $10.25 million ($3.42 million).
Backstrom, the Wild's goalie of seven years, won 24 games last year before sustaining a sports hernia before the playoffs. He has won 184 games.
Backstrom, 35, wanted term -- at least 3 years -- and he got it. The Wild wanted to make certain it came in less than $4 million -- what he probably would have gotten on the open market -- and it got that.
Backstrom loves Minnesota and wanted badly to return. The Wild maintained its priority was to sign Backstrom. The only options for a No. 1 goaltender would have been the trade market.
With limited cap space, the only true potential No. 1 if he gets to free agency is Mike Smith, and he's looking for a big payday.
