
Free Agency begins today and not only are the Wild in the market to sign a few players, but they also are expected to let go of a few players to free agency.
Five players who played some NHL games with the Wild last year are expected to hit the market if a deal isn't agreed upon before 11 a.m. CT. Nine players from the AHL are also expected to hit the free-agent market as well.
Mason Shaw played in 20 games with the Wild last year but will hit the market. Jake Lucchini played in 40 games with the Wild and will hit the market. Minnesota could circle back to him though and iron out a deal. He was good as a bottom-six depth piece.
Jujhar Kharia is expected to hit the market. Injuries held him back a bunch. Dakota Mermis and Alex Goligoski are the two Wild defenders who will hit the market. Mermis played in 47 games with Minnesota last year and Goligoski played in 36.
Turner Elson was traded for Nic Petan at the deadline. He played some games for Iowa and will hit the market.
Steven Fogarty played two NHL games with the Wild in his time here, none of which were last season. Sam Hentges didn't play in a single game last season due to injuries and will test FA.
Dmitry Ovchinnikov didn't play a game for Iowa after the Connor Dewar trade but his rights were owned by the Wild. He recently signed a deal in the KHL.
Nick Swaney played one NHL game in his Wild career and only played in seven AHL games for Iowa last year.
Will Butcher was brought in mid-season and played 24 games for Iowa.
Simon Johansson played two seasons with the Iowa Wild and didn't receive a qualifying offer.
Hunter Jones struggled in the ECHL and did not receive a qualifying offer from the Wild.
Zane McIntyre was good in stretches but struggled at times last year for Iowa. The Wild are letting two of their minor league goalies go and will look to sign at least one to replace them.
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