Wild Must Qualify RFA's by June 30th Deadline

The Wild currently have nine players up for Qualifying Offers that have to be signed by June 30th or they enter free agency.

It was a tough year for Shaw. The 25-year-old started the first half of the reason rehabbing his fourth ACL tear in his career but later signed an AHL contract. In nine games for Iowa, Shaw posted four goals and seven points and finished the year in the NHL with the Wild. He recorded one goal and three points in 20 games. All signs point to Shaw testing free agency. 

Walker, 25, burst onto the scene after the Wild signed him two seasons ago. He notched 27 goals and 48 points in 56 games in the AHL. Walker even appeared in nine NHL games and had a goal and an assist. The following year he struggled in the AHL and finished the year with 14 goals and 45 points in 70 games and zero points in four NHL games.

The Minnesota native and former St. Cloud State standout, never played a game for the Iowa Wild this year. He started the year on the AHL Long-term injury reserve and stayed there the whole year. 

Recently acquired by the Wild for Adam Beckman, the Wild do plan on signing Clarke. The Minnesota native recorded 25 goals and 49 points in 67 games for the Utica Comets in the American Hockey League (AHL) last season.

Raska, 22, was acquired by the Wild in the Calen Addison trade. He recorded three goals and seven points in 49 AHL games and appeared in five NHL games as well. He had zero points and 12 hits. 

The 21-year-old forward never played a game for the Wild or the Iowa Wild but the team does hold his rights. Ovchinnikov's contract was being paid by the Wild after the club traded Connor Dewar to Toronto. Ovchinnikov continued to play for the Toronto Marlies after the trade and now signed a contract in the KHL with Sibir Novosibirsk.

There are only two defensemen who are expiring RFA's.

The Wild do plan on giving Chisholm a contract. The 24-year-old appeared in 29 games for the Wild after being claimed off waivers in late January. He recorded three goals and eight points in that span with two power-play goals and five power-play points. 

It has been an interesting career for Johansson. The 6-foot-2 defender was drafted by the Wild in 2018. He appeared in every development camp after that but didn't turn pro until 2022. He had nine goals and 21 points in 72 AHL games last year and was a minus-20. 

Only one goaltender remains without a contract as an RFA. 

I would not be surprised if Jones didn't get an offer. The 23-year-old goaltender was drafted by Paul Fenton's crew in 2019. He appeared in one AHL game last year and let up six goals. He went 5-9-2 in the ECHL with a 3.61 goals-against-average and a .890 save percentage in 18 games. 

Jones has a career 3.56 goals-against average and a .887 save percentage in 30 AHL games. He also is 21-37-15 in the ECHL with a 3.46 goals-against average with a .894 save percentage in 78 career games. 

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