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Minnesota Wild Re-Up Veteran Forward with Full You-Know-What Clause
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- Minnesota Wild Re-Up Veteran Forward with Full You-Know-What Clause
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The offseason started for the Minnesota Wild a couple of weeks ago, after yet another first round exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, that dropped the puck on the most important offseason in recent franchise history.
Cap penalties tied to the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter are (for all intensive purposes) no more, giving president of hockey operations Bill Guerin more financial flexibility than he has ever had. But now that the proverbial shackles are off, the pressure is on.
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There are no excuses anymore. The final pieces to this Minnesota Wild championship puzzle are out there and Billy has all the resources needed — whether via free agency or trade — to put it all together.
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
We've seen some of Guerin's vision already. A couple of weeks ago, the Wild got a deal done with KHL prospect Danila Yurov , who they selected No. 24 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. They've also shown their cards on Marco Rossi, who they have on the trade block while they send him underwhelming contract offers.
The same cannot be said for veteran forward Marcus Johansson , who has spent the past three seasons in a Minnesota Wild sweater… and soon to be four.
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Marcus Johansson signs one-year deal with Minnesota Wild (with no-trade clause)
On Monday, news broke that Johansson is signing on for one-year, $800,000, an extension that Michael Russo teased as a possibility this morning in a new column at The Athletic. Shocker (not): Johansson's deal includes a full no-trade clause that helped keep his salary number down.
As I alluded today, #mnwild re-sign Marcus Johansson to a one-year, $800,000 contract. Could have been a UFA next month
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 2, 2025
This is actually the extension of Johansson's second stint in Minnesota, who first wore a Wild uniform in the shortened 2020-21 season . He scored 6 goals and posted 14 points in 36 games that year, along with a -10 (+/-).
After spending 2021-22 season between Seattle and Washington, Marcus landed back in the Land of 10,000 Rinks, when Billy brought him back at the 2022-23 trade deadline, in exchange for a 2024 3rd round pick.
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Last season, Johansson played in 72 games for the Minnesota Wild. He matched the same 11 goals he posted during the 2023-24 season, along with 23 assists. His 34 points were the most he had scored for a single team since tallying 58 for the Capitals back in 2016-17.
Related: MN Wild Insider Reveals Latest on Slow-Moving Marco Rossi Trade/Contract Talks
Why did Bill Guerin give Marcus Johansson a full no-trade clause? Well, it helped keep his number down below a million, no doubt. But also, our PoHO hands out no-trade clauses and no-trade lists to veterans to "his guys" as if they are candy at a kid birthday party.
Johansson joins a no-trade club (per PuckPedia.com ) that includes Joel Eriksson Ek , Mats Zuccarello , Marcus Foligno and Jake Middleton . Ryan Hartman , Freddy Goudreau and Jared Spurgeon all have no-trade lists of 5-15 teams, depending on the player.
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Johansson pondered move back to Sweden
According to Russo , while Johansson likely would have had other NHL suitors offering in the range of $2 million per season during free agency next month, Minnesota's biggest competition for the Swed's services was actually his former Swedish Hockey League team, Färjestad.
According to league sources, Johansson, who would have become a free agent July 1, was being lured by his old Swedish Hockey League club, Färjestad, to potentially end his career where it began in the mid-2000s.
But rather than head back overseas, or look for another NHL deal elsewhere, Billy made sure one of his guys landed back in Wild Christmas colors for at least one more year.
Across 206 games for the Wild, Johansson has 34 goals and 62 assists. The 96 total points trail only the 324 he put up across 579 games with the Washington Capitals. He maintains a veteran presence for a Minnesota team that has right around $15 million left in cap space.
Marcus Johansson, signed 1x$0.8M by MIN, is a veteran playmaking two-way winger. Ended up playing solid minutes for the Wild, using his still-solid wheels and puck skills to contribute in transition. #MNWild pic.twitter.com/KtrGZ44EpM
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 2, 2025
Of course the big questions this summer surround superstar, Kirill Kaprizov . When will the Minnesota Wild sign him to a record-setting new deal and how much will it ultimately cost?
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