The Minnesota Wild announced that they have signed forward Daniel Winnik to a one-year deal worth $660,000.
Winnik had been with the team this preseason under a PTO (professional tryout), but was released from that and was free to sign with any team. It became clear over the last week that Winnik wanted to remain with the Wild, and he and his agent were able to work out a deal as Minnesota is crunched to the cap.
The Toronto native is a 10-year NHL veteran, with stops at seven different NHL teams. The most recent stop was in Washington, where he played the last year and a half with the Capitals. In 72 games with the Caps last year, Winnik tallied 25 points (12 goals-13 assists) in primarily a fourth line role — a role he will no doubt play in Minnesota this year.
Winnik will be Minnesota’s 12th forward on Thursday night’s opening roster in Detroit, as the Wild are still without Zach Parise due to a back injury. He was practicing on a line Wednesday morning with Matt Cullen and Tyler Ennis, and that could very well be the line he is on Thursday night.
Minnesota opens the season against the Red Wings in new Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night at 6:30 pm.
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