Wild To Re-Sign David Spacek

The Minnesota Wild are expected to be down to one remaining restricted free agent. According to PuckPedia, the Wild have re-signed defenseman David Špaček to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season. He will earn an $850K salary at the NHL level and a $110K salary in the AHL.

Špaček, 23, has been playing in the Wild organization for the last several years. Minnesota selected him with the 153rd overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft out of the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix program after he scored 12 goals and 50 points in 57 games with a +21 rating.

Despite being born in Columbus, OH, Špaček holds dual citizenship in the United States and Czechia. His father, Jaroslav Špaček, was playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets at the time of his birth in 2003. The younger Špaček spent much of his youth in Czechia before returning to North America for his junior career.

Špaček transitioned to the professional ranks for the 2023-24 season, and he has continued to improve each year. Throughout his rookie campaign, Špaček registered three goals and 12 points in 61 games with a -16 rating.

By the time he entered his third professional season, the 2025-26 campaign, Špaček had become one of the better defenders with the AHL’s Iowa Wild. In 59 games last season, Špaček scored seven goals and 36 points in 59 games with a -1 rating, tying for third on the team in scoring.

Additionally, Minnesota afforded him the opportunity for his NHL debut in mid-January. Playing two games, one against the Winnipeg Jets and the other against the Montreal Canadiens, Špaček went scoreless, averaging 10:45 of ice time per game.