Wild Keep Zach Bogosian, Reportedly Re-sign Defenseman To 2-Year Deal

Instead of trading one of their potential pieces prior to Friday's trade deadline, the Minnesota Wild have opted to keep them around.

According to multiple sources, the Wild have re-signed defenseman Zach Bogosian to a two-year, $2.5-million contract that will keep him in St. Paul through the 2025-26 season.

Bogosian was originally acquired by the Wild in a mid-season trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning several months ago and was set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. But through the 43 games he has laced up for the Wild, it appears that general manager and president of hockey operations, Bill Guerin, has seen enough to keep the 33-year-old blueliner around.

With the Wild, Bogosian has scored one goal and has earned nine points.

What this means for the Wild overall is that some more stability has been established before what could be a very interesting summer as they begin to transition some prospects in at the forward position. Alex Goligoski and Dakota Mermis are both set to be unrestricted free agents this summer and Jon Merrill's performances have warranted some rumors of a potential parting of ways before his contract finishes after next season.

Beyond the mainstays of Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, and now Brock Faber, lies Jake Middleton and no one really else. With that logic, and most likely admiring his physical play on the ice, Guerin has decided to keep Bogosian to a relatively cheap, short-term deal, instead of heading into the unknown waters of free agency to get a different, right-handed depth defender.

With this deal done, the Wild will have approximately $8.25 million in cap space this summer, and have only the likes of Declan Chisholm, Connor Dewar, and Mason Shaw to hand new contracts to as restricted free agents. The pending unrestricted free agents like Brandon Duhaime, Patrick Maroon, and Marc-Andre Fleury should be replaced internally by either top-end prospects or role players -- or, at least that's what we are expecting to happen.

Now, they get to have their Zach Bogosian and everything he brings, like hitting dudes around the ice.