NHL Free Agent Targets: Forwards Part One

Thus the rest of the free agent posts. We really don't feel the Wild are necessarily in the market for any of them, but people will ask about them, so we will address them, and see what we can do to either put the thought to rest, or to make sure people don't get overly anxious about any player in particular.

Make the jump to have a look at Todd White, Scottie Upshall, and Joel Ward.

Current Cap Hit: $2.375 million
Age: 36

Bryan: Let's see. The Wild are going with a youth movement, they have no need for a center, and Todd White did little or nothing last year. The only reason I can find to sign Todd White is that he always seems to be worth a second round pick at the deadline. 
Verdict: Pass

Current Cap Hit: $2.25 million
Age: 27

JS: Here's a guy who has been underachieving his entire career. He now carries lower expectations and isn't quite that bad. He surpassed the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career. Another first for him was playing an entire 82 game season. However, he had a pretty bad season compared to last year when he netted 32 points in 49 games, as opposed to 34 points in 82 games this year. His durability is the big question mark though, as he can pretty much be depended on to bring at least 30 points, but if he could play an entire season at his 2009-10 level, he could prove to be a good, fairly inexpensive addition. The thing is though, he would probably just be the new Kobasew, so I'll pass.
Verdict: Pass.

Bryan: I like Scottie Upshall. He has a mean streak, he plays physically, and he puts some points on the board. I'm really just not sure what the Wild would do with him. He's certainly young enough to fit in with the youth movement, but has enough experience to provide some veteran leadership as well. JS brings up a good point though, he just has that Kobasew feel about him. Not sure I like that. He is going to command a bit of a raise, and likely doesn't want to play third or fourth line minutes, so it's just not a fit.
Verdict: I just don't see it. Sorry folks. 

Current Cap Hit: $1.5 million
Age: 30

JS: Joel Ward has blossomed into a dependable, bottom-six forward in his time away from Minnesota, but you can bet his price tag is going to inflate after his excellent showing in the playoffs where he was one of very few players who played beyond the first round to post a point total higher than his number of games played. Plays with energy and grit, which is a combination well-liked by any fan and coach, but do we need to sign him to an inflated contract to be a 25-30 point player in the regular season? Another question to ask would be: What would a Clutterbuck-Ward combo look like? It's intriguing for sure, but if the signing price is too high, I believe he's better off elsewhere, preferably the Eastern Conference.
Verdict: Sign 2-3 years at around 2-2.5 mil per year, otherwise, pass.

Round two is in the books. Anyone like anyone in this group?