![Minnesota Wild Jonas Brodin. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - October 6, 2014 , St. Paul, Minn., Xcel Energy Center, NHL, Minnesota Wild](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VGCMRVZC7AKSQKMX6E4MNY53NU.jpg?&w=1080)
The Wild is looking to get ahead of next year's large restricted free agent crop.
Today, the team signed mobile defenseman Jonas Brodin to a six-year, $25 million extension.
"We are very excited to get Jonas Brodin signed through the 2020-21 season," said GM Chuck Fletcher. "He is one of the premier young defensemen in the NHL and has played a huge role on our team since entering the league as a 19-year-old. We're confident that his game will continue to evolve in all areas and he will be a valuable part of our core for years to come."
The 21-year-old 10th overall pick in 2011 broke into the NHL two years ago as a 19-year-old. He led all rookies in time on ice (23:12), 1:38 more than any other rookie, and was named to the NHL's all-rookie team. He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting.
He scored two goals and nine assists and was plus-3 in 2013. Last season, he scored eight goals and 11 assists.
He is off to an outstanding start this season. He has been a rock defensively, has an assist, five shots and is plus-5.
Fletcher has said since June that once the Wild got restricted free agents Nino Niederreiter and Darcy Kuemper re-signed entering this season, he wanted to begin working on next year's RFA's.
Brodin is the first to be signed. Standard deal. No no-trade or no-move. Last week, Fletcher said he had begun talks with all of them. The others are Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, Erik Haula, Marco Scandella and Christian Folin.
