With a very disappointing early exit from the playoffs, the Minnesota Wild, and GM Doug Risebrough can now start making decisions. They have eight unrestricted free agents (who are able to go wherever they so choose with no compensation to their current club) at the NHL level, and four who play for their affiliate in Houston. Their luck with restricted free agents (current team has the right to match any offer, and if not, are entitled to draft pick compensation) is no better. With three in the NHL, and seven at Houston, the total number of free agents comes to 22. That should be enough to keep Mr. Risebrough busy this summer.

A look at the list of free agents should give Wild fans the willies. Rolston, Demitra, Bouchard, Foster, Fedoruk, Simon, Carney, Veilleux, Voros, and Radivojevic are all set to pack their bags if the Wild choose not to make them acceptable offers. While the RFAs would garner the Wild some draft picks, most NHL teams do not make strong moves to steal them away, due to the loss of those picks.

Below is a list of free agents to be, followed by the priority the Wild need to place on resigning them, ranked A-D with A being highest priority. Each player’s average salary from their expiring contract, the number of years one would expect to see them offered, and the likelihood (ranked 1-10, 10 being the highest) that the Wild will re-sign them.

UFAs

Pierre-Marc Bouchard – The Wild’s all time leader in assists made $2.6 million a year in his last contract. He is an A priority, and a 10 likelihood to re-sign. He fits the Wild’s team first culture, and is a perfect piece in Lemaire’s defensive system. He is one of few players on the team with the pure skill of puck control. The Wild would be crazy not to offer him at least three years, but his price will rise significantly.

Brian Rolston – The Wild have a big choice to make, Rolston or Demitra. They cannot, and will not, keep both. The decision puts both players at the A priority level. Rolston made an average of $2.4 million over his three year contract. He led the Wild for the first two years while Marian Gaborik faced off and on groin injuries. He has an absolute rocket of a shot, captains the power play, has served as Wild captain several times, and has been within the top three on the team in points every year with the team. Rolston led the team in points this playoff season, shining as one of few Wild players who played consistently. In an interview after the loss in Game 6, Rolston showed little interest in returning, but that could be attributable to the disappointment. Look for the Wild to offer him two years due to his age (35). His likelihood of return is a 7 out of 10, only because he will have several offers to entertain, and could get one he cannot refuse.

Pavol Demitra – The other half of the two headed demon the Wild face is also Gaborik’s best friend. The decision made here could influence Gaborik’s decision next summer when he himself becomes a UFA. While Demitra is an A priority, put his likelihood of return at a 3. He hates playing center, and has made it clear in several interviews he does not agree with Lemaire’s system that keeps the wings out from behind the net, where Demitra shines. He and Gaborik have the chemistry to outshine nearly any tandem in the NHL, but the West is not conducive to such feats. If the Wild feel they have any chance to re-sign him, look for the them to offer two years, and to include only a minimal raise from his $4.5 million average. The prediction here is Demitra jumps ship early to go to the East.

Keith Carney – At best a C-D priority for the defense weary Wild, Carney’s pay would most likely need to drop from his $2.1 million in order to return to the team. The decision here is two sided, as Carney may also consider retirement after 16 years and over 1000 games. If Carney wants to come back, and the Wild feel they cannot land defensive talent from Houston or elsewhere on the free agent market (and these are big ifs), they should offer just one year, and the likelihood of all of this happening is a 4 out of 10.

Petteri Nummelin – The other UFA on the blue line spent most of the season in the press box. Nummelin will certainly find a home in the NHL, though not likely with the Wild. His ability to handle the puck and make plays make him a better fit as a third or fourth line wing than back on the blue line, and the $1.1 million he made to play so few games make for an unlikely return. The prediction here is the Wild do not even make an offer to Nummelin. His priority level is a solid D, unless Radivojevic is not re-signed, Nummelin is willing to move to a checking line wing, and he willing to take a pay cut. If this takes place, Nummelin’s value to the team would rise, and make him a higher priority.

Branko Radivojevic – A solid shut down checker, Radivojevic is a B level priority, and scores at least an eight on the likelihood to return scale. He fits the Wild’s desire for team defense, has shown he can skate with the top scorers in the league, and his $640K salary should actually go up a bit in his next contract. The Wild will most likely offer two years, and Radivojevic will likely take the offer, as he will not likely get many other offers.

Todd Fedoruk – A waiver wire pick up from Dallas, Fedoruk proved to be the move of the year for the Wild. He skated often on the top line with Demitra and Gaborik, giving physical and mental protection to both stars. He is a B level priority, only because the Wild have more pressing issues with the offensive juggernauts of the team. His $840K salary makes him affordable, even with a raise, and he fits the new physical look the Wild are building on. The Wild should offer one year, being cautious with the physical players, and keeping the contract year desire alive in their enforcers. The Wild need Fedoruk if they plan to stay physical, and Fedoruk has also shown he still has the hands to score, making his likelihood of return an eight out of ten.

Chris Simon – Risebrough shocked Saint Paul when he brought in Simon at the trade deadline. Many expected to see the Wild bring in a center or another blueliner. Instead, in came Simon, fresh off his eighth suspension, this one a record 30 games. He played in only a handful of games down the stretch, and only one in the playoffs. He added a great deal of intimidation to the Wild repertoire, and did play well when he was in the line up. He is a low C for priority, as there are few NHL teams ready to offer him a deal. Look for him to take a significant pay cut, and stay when the Wild offer him a one-year deal. The Wild gave him a chance, so look for Simon to return the favor. This final fact makes Simon’s likelihood of return an 8.

RFAs

Kurtis Foster – Minute munching Foster is a mainstay on the Minnesota blue line. While he is not as quick to jump into the offense as his defensive partner Brent Burns, Foster has a cannon and is not afraid to fire way. He saw ample time on both power play and penalty kill, showing Lemaire’s confidence in him. The fact that the Wild defensive corps is weak at best, Foster’s return is an A priority for Minnesota. He will most certainly get a raise from his $1.025 million, and may see a long-term contract, but most likely three years. After Foster’s fibula was broken late in the season, causing him to miss the playoffs, Risebrough said in several interviews that he will definitely be re-signed. The fact that an NHL GM said this, coupled with the fact he is an RFA, make Foster’s return likelihood a 10 out of 10.

Stephane Veilleux – Number 19 for the Wild is commonly referred to as “spark plug,” or “the fiery redhead.” Veilleuix’s energy is unmatched in Minnesota, and he is the other side of Minnesota’s checking line with Radivojevic. He is the consummate team player, always putting the team first, and is never shy to drop the gloves to defend a teammate. Veilleux should get a good-sized raise and an offer of three or better years. He is an A level priority, due to his defensive ability, and his likelihood of return is no lower than a nine.

Aaron Voros – Brought up fairly early in the season due to injuries on the big club, Voros made an immediate impression. He is a highly physical player who finishes his checks, crowds the net, and is not shy to drop the mitts if called on. Voros is an agitator by all accounts, a man who gets under the skin of the opposition and causes them to focus on him rather than the game. He has some of the most energetic goal celebrations in recent memory, showed he can play with the top line, and should see his first full season at the NHL level next season. He is a B level priority, only because he is an RFA, will come cheap, having just one year of service, and has a high likelihood of return, scoring a solid 9. Look for the Wild to offer two years in order to better assess his abilities.