Wild sign Petr Sykora to one-year, $1.6 million dollar deal

If you thought the Wild were finished making deals, then you would have been wrong. It also means that I would have been wrong as well. Based on past history, the Wild are a somewhat plodding team when it comes to making deals. I suppose we're so used to the way things were done under Doug Risebrough, that we are continually shocked. Of course after that shock, we have to shake our heads and remind ourselves that Chuck Fletcher is now at the helm. Yet at the same time, today's bit of shock shouldn't be a complete one.This morning, it was officially announced that the Wild signed Petr Sykora to a one-year deal worth $1.6 million. The 32 year-old native of Plzen, Czech Republic was intending on signing in Russia just last week. In 1995, he was the 18th overall pick in the Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. Sykora, who spent the past two season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, found himself unemployed after the completion of the Stanley Cup Finals. With no offers coming from either the Penguins or the other 29 teams in the league, he considered the common move made by many unemployed NHL'ers. Talented players who sign with the wealthier teams in the KHL, stand to make more than they can in North America, especially since their salaries in Russia are tax-free.However, his travel plans quickly changed. On Tuesday, instead of landing in Russia on a flight from Prague, he landed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Upon landing, life became extremely busy. On Wednesday afternoon, he found himself on-ice for his first practice on his tryout with the Minnesota Wild. Instead of letting the fatigue of his cross-Atlantic flight give him a free pass to take things easy, it appears that Sykora jumped right in. According to an interview in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, he likes to play and more importantly generally likes his teammates. Reading Sykora's comments, it sounds like he's extremely happy to be in Minnesota and back on ice in the NHL.Some fans in Minnesota might have a hard time accepting Sykora into the fold initially. All it takes is for fans to think back to the Wild's Cinderella run in the 2003 Western Conference Finals. If you have a good memory, you will remember that it was Sykora that scored the game winning goal in double overtime in the opening game of that series. From there, it was downhill for the Wild in that series. However that was then and this is now.Speaking of playoff hockey, Sykora is no stranger to not only the playoffs, but to winning the Stanley Cup itself. He is a player that has made it to the Stanley Cup Finals five times in his career. To sweeten things up a bit, he also has two Stanley Cup rings to his name, including just this past season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. One can only guess if it's not the Pittsburgh Penguins connection that the Wild now have with Fletcher as our General Manager that has brought Sykora to Minnesota. While the chances the Wild make the playoffs still remain slim, the signing of Sykora should certainly make things slightly less disheartening. He's not the perfect solution, but anytime the Wild can sign a player who can score at least twenty goals in a season can only improve matters. Last season with the Penguins, Sykora tallied 25 goals and 21 assists in 76 games. Overall during his career, he's scored a total of 300 goals and 274 assists in 921 games. The only issue now, is that the Wild only have around $800,000 left in their salary cap. I would prefer to have a little more wiggle room, especially since pre-season just started. Historically, the Wild have had issues with injuries. When the injury bug strikes (and it will, just like it hits every team at some point in the season), you want to feel you have the room to call someone up. Between the lack of comfortable cap space and the overabundance of centers, I wouldn't be surprised one iota if the Wild make a trade early in the season. If a trade is made, I also wouldn't be surprised if they make a trade for draft picks or prospects instead of an NHL player. With the shallow prospect pool, the Wild need to start a process of restocking.And speaking of injuries. I don't know about you, but I have to admit I chuckled and rolled my eyes when I read a rumor that the infamous porcelin groin of Marian Gaborik is bothering him a bit right now. If there was one place where the Wild actually improved the roster, it would be in the department of fragile groins. According to posts on the RANGERSnet/IAmaRanger message boards, it appears that the talented winger can't run sprints right now. Some fans are arguing that he's "easing his way" on the ice. Sounds very suspicious if you ask. I can't express enough just how glad I am to be rid of that perpetual soap opera. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to watch NHL Live on NHL Network when countless New York Rangers' fans call in to complain about their winger. I'd like to be able to say now "expect no more change." However, by now we should know better. At the very least, let's just hope the future change remains positive. At least we don't have a porcelin groin to worry about.