Another veteran free agent defenceman came off the board on Friday afternoon, as the Minnesota Wild announced that they have signed Jordie Benn to a one-year, $900,000 deal. Rumored to be of interest to a couple of teams, one being the Edmonton Oilers, it’s the Wild the blueliner signs with.
Benn, 34, started the 2020-21 season out with the Vancouver Canucks before being dealt to the Winnipeg Jets at the trade deadline. In a combined 39 regular season games, he recorded a goal and nine helpers. He also suited up in three playoff games with the Jets where he chipped in with a lone assist. With both teams he managed right around 15 minutes of ice time as he played mostly a third pairing role when put in the lineup.
This signing is by no means a blockbuster for the Wild, but it gives them a solid depth option to come in and out of the lineup when needed. With the move it is safe to say the Wild are done with their blueline this offseason, as they now have seven defencemen in Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, Matt Dumba, Alex Goligoski, Dmitry Kulikov, Jon Merrill and Benn under contract.
Benn is older brother of Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn and played with him on the Stars for a number of seasons. He was a late bloomer compared to what we see from most NHLers as he didn’t become a regular player in the league until the age of 27. He has had a fantastic career considering, as he has suited up for 556 career regular season games, scoring 24 goals and 127 points in stints with the Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Canucks and the Jets. He has also played in 23 postseason contests and registered four helpers.
With this deal being signed, the only move it would appear the Wild have left to make this summer is signing RFA Kirill Kaprizov. The 24-year-old Russian phenom had a terrific rookie season which saw him win the Calder Trophy, so hopefully something is able to be completed here soon. Assuming it is, the Wild have a chance to be a very good team this season, as they have some tremendous young forwards, a solid blueline and two more than capable goaltenders in Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen.
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