Minnesota Wild give Niklas Backstrom a three-year, $10.25 million contract

After missing out on the chance to acquire Jonathan Bernier, the Minnesota Wild have signed Niklas Backstrom to a three-year, $10.25 million contract. The WIld were believed to be in the hunt for Bernier, but the Kings traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 23rd. Given the lack of other options out on the open market, the Wild elected to retain their winnigest goaltender in franchise history. 

A report from the Star Tribune indicates that Backstrom's annual cap hit will check in at $3.42 million a year. 

Backstrom was looking for a three-year contract and that's exactly what he received. It was believed that Backstrom would require a salary over $4 million a season, but the Wild were able to sign their goaltender to a contract that most fans should be satisfied with. 

Backstrom has appeared in 369 games for the Wild, compiling a 184-124-45 record with a 2.43 GAA and a save percentage of .917. Unfortunately, injuries have played a major role in Backstrom's career, keeping him on the sidelines during the Wild's playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks this season.

Fans of the Wild might have been hoping to see a new, healthier face in net for the WIld, but Backstrom's contract is at least manageable. If he can stay healthy and improve on his disappointing save percentage from 2013 (.909), Backstrom's contract might be viewed as a bargain. 

About David Rogers

Editor for The Comeback and Contributing Editor for Awful Announcing. Lover of hockey, soccer and all things pop culture.

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