Will the Wild extend Kyle Brodziak?

He's everything a team could want out of a 3rd-line center, and he'll be due for a raise from his $1.15 million per year salary. Wild fans left and right want an extension done for Brodziak, but is it a deal that can actually get done?

Make the jump, and let's find out.

It's tough to actually put into word everything that Brodziak means to the Wild. He contributes everywhere for the team and in every facet of the game (5-on-5, powerplay, penalty kill). He's a jack-of-all trades, and championship teams are built from the foundation up with players like Brodziak. Chicago still has

, and they were able to surround him with

and

. Boston had a true leader in

to help anchor a 3rd line with up-and-comer

. Detroit has always had incredible depth up the middle, with

adding points and grit to a 3rd line. No doubt that Kyle Brodziak is cut from the same cloth as many of these players.

What also needs to be considered is that this is a contract year for Brodziak. Currently, he's having a career year. His best statistical season prior to this year was a 37-point campaign last season with the Wild. For his career, Brodziak really is a middle-30's point producer. Is this current hot streak just Brodziak playing for his next contract? It's not a slight against Brodziak, as I've personally been a fan of his since he joined the Wild; however, it is something we see among players in a contract year. All athletes seem to elevate their games in contract seasons because they know the next contract is heavily influenced by their performance in a contract year.

Plus, he's 27 now, and he'll be 28 before this season ends. Typically speaking, the physical prime and best years of professional athletes are around the 27-30 age range. Considering the crazy spending that occurs in the free-agent frenzy, would Brodziak actually re-sign or would he rather test free agency and cash in on what could be his biggest contract? In all reality, he probably won't have another opportunity to cash in on a big contract. His 5 PP points thus far is more than he's ever had in a season. He is having a career year. He'll end up breaking just about all of his personal scoring records. That's usually when players cash in.

What do you say, Wilderness? Can both sides come to a mutual agreement, or is Brodziak UFA bound?