SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild have ended some of the mass trade speculation by inking goaltender Niklas Backstrom to a four year contract extension reportedly worth $24 million (US dollars). Trade rumors had been flying as the NHL trade deadline approaches, but General Manager Doug Risebrough had made it clear he had no intention of trading Backstrom as recently as yesterday.
Photo courtest of the NHL.
According to the press release, “Backstrom, 31, is 28-18-4 with a 2.24 goals against average (GAA), a .925 save percentage, and a team record six shutouts in 51 games this season and represented the Wild at the 2009 NHL All-Star Game. He is the only goalie to rank in the top five in GAA, wins, save percentage, and shutouts this season.
Backstrom ranks tied for second in the NHL in shutouts, fourth in SV Pct., tied for fourth in wins and GAA and has helped Minnesota rank second in the League in goals against this season at 144. He established franchise records with 33 wins and 1,498 saves last season and tied the record for games played (58).
Among goalies playing 100 or more games since the beginning of the 2006-07 season, Backstrom ranks first in save percentage at .924, second in GAA at 2.19 and winning percentage at .660 and tied for fifth in shutouts with 15.”
There has been speculation that Backstrom’s success was due to the defensive system played in
Risebrough had this to say in the press release.
“Nik is one of the most reliable players and people on our team, and that combination enables winning, a snapshot of Nik’s three NHL seasons shows a staggering run of success, but to see that whole picture unfold daily, we have not been surprised. Instead, we are proud of what he has accomplished, and we are excited for what he will.”
Assistant GM Tom Lynn has a question and answer available on the team’s website (www.wild.nhl.com) as well. The interview details the complexity of the deal came down to a no trade clause, finally resulting in the NTC being guaranteed for two years, and continuing as long as Backstrom is considered the team’s number one goalie (based on stats not yet released).
Committing $6 million per year for the next four years does cramp the Wild’s cap flexibility a bit, but adds a solid backstop to a solid core of players in Brent Burns, Mikko Koivu, Nick Schultz, and Pierre-Marc Bouchard.
The signing makes Backstrom the fourth highest paid goaltender in the league (on average) starting next season, tied with J.S. Giguere in
The author can be reached at bryan.reynolds@prohockeynews.com
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