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  • Wilderness Walk: Calen Addison Still Not Signed

    Image courtesy of © Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
    Thomas Williams

    By Thomas Williams -

    That's Wild

    The Minnesota Wild have been somewhat busy this summer getting players signed to new contracts and making some small trades to acquire depth pieces like Patrick Maroon. There is still one outstanding task left on GM Bill Guerin's to-do list for the offseason and it's get young blueliner Calen Addison signed to a new contract.

    The only remaining restricted free agent on the Wild's roster and one of the only restricted free agents still without a contract in the league, Addison is left here waiting without knowing where exactly he will be playing hockey in a couple months.

    Interestingly enough -- and just from some own personal observations in past RFA negotiations -- Addison is doing one thing different this summer. All offseason long, Addison has still been at some team activities like signing autographs the state fair and most recently participating in the first pitch at a Twins game. Typically, anyone without a contract isn't seen at official team events like this, which makes the tinfoil-hat theory that the player and team have a handshake deal for a contract (or something like that) and they just need to iron some things out closer to when training camp opens next month. Just something to think about. It's not going to be a long-term, big-money deal anyways.

    • Miss any of our top-10 prospect rankings? Here is the complete breakdown of our ranking: [Hockey Wilderness]
    • Brock Faber and Jesper Wallstedt will be representing the Wild at the NHLPA rookie showcase. [The Hockey News]

    Off the trail...

    • Some big-name players that could still be moved before the season starts or early into the 2023-24 campaign. [ESPN]
    • Terry Pegula appointed himself president of the Buffalo Sabres as he dissolves the parent company that oversaw the Sabres and Buffalo Bills. [NBC Sports]
    • How the teams of the Central Division found their stars. [Yahoo Sports]
    By Thomas Williams  

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    mnfaninnc

    Is anyone worried about if Addison signs or not? I certainly am not. He has 0 leverage. The only suspense is if it's a 1 or 2 year deal. 

    Should Addy decide not to sign right away, he likely shoots himself in the foot as he opens the door for someone else to take his roster spot which isn't on firm footing to begin with. 

    I'm thinking a deal is about done, and perhaps he and Shooter have missed each other on vacations.

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    vonlonster67

    He may sign, but I believe he dug his hole a little deeper after not signing immediately after the offer. As you stated he has no leverage, and no one has confidence in his overall game to include anyone else who would want to trade for him.

    Even if he does sign, I don't believe he is long for this team. It's too bad, he's young, and somewhat immature. It appears he likes his teammates and is pretty much a regular with the younger crew. Once the season starts, that's only gonna go so far, being a nice guy, and refusing the team culture.

    I too feel no loss or gain, someone else will step up. I have no ill will towards Addy, he seemed likable when he first came up, did some interviews about his mustache. I hope he can see through this and make the defensive corrections as I feel he had a huge impact on out PP1 last year.

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    M_Nels

    My Addison Iowa Wild bobblehead is going to plummet in value!!

    Seriously though, not going to break my heart if he doesn't come back. Have expressed my thoughts on his seemingly lack of willingness to learn.

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    mnfaninnc
    23 hours ago, vonlonster67 said:

    It appears he likes his teammates and is pretty much a regular with the younger crew. Once the season starts, that's only gonna go so far, being a nice guy, and refusing the team culture.

    I thought when Spurgeon said he pretty much keeps to himself and doesn't ask him questions that he really didn't participate with the team stuff. Perhaps I'm wrong, and being out of market there is a lot of off ice stuff that is missed. 

    Now, he got a QO. I wonder if that QO can be in the form of a 2-way deal? If so, perhaps that is why it is unsigned as the player believes he is an NHLer? Or, if he gets sent down, he's expecting an NHL salary? 

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    Protec

    Addison's future is in his hands. If he competes and improves the areas he's had weaknesses, his potential is great. If he bogs down on his defensive responsibility, it becomes a blemish too big to overlook and the offense becomes a moot argument.

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    vonlonster67
    2 hours ago, mnfaninnc said:

    I thought when Spurgeon said he pretty much keeps to himself and doesn't ask him questions that he really didn't participate with the team stuff. Perhaps I'm wrong, and being out of market there is a lot of off ice stuff that is missed. 

    Now, he got a QO. I wonder if that QO can be in the form of a 2-way deal? If so, perhaps that is why it is unsigned as the player believes he is an NHLer? Or, if he gets sent down, he's expecting an NHL salary? 

    He hangs out here in the Cities with Faber, Boldy, Middy and Shaw.

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    MNCountryLife

    If he wants more money I would trade him for a future prospect.  Whether intentional or not... Addison asking for more would put the Wild in a "call-up" nightmare.  At this point I would trade Addison and run with the 6 Wild D on the roster of Spurge, Mid, Brodin, Faber, Merrill and Alex.   IMO: Addy isn't better than any of those 6 anyways.  The extra cap space is more important than Addy.  

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    vonlonster67
    2 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

    If he wants more money I would trade him for a future prospect.  Whether intentional or not... Addison asking for more would put the Wild in a "call-up" nightmare.  At this point I would trade Addison and run with the 6 Wild D on the roster of Spurge, Mid, Brodin, Faber, Merrill and Alex.   IMO: Addy isn't better than any of those 6 anyways.  The extra cap space is more important than Addy.  

    MNCL, I get as frustrated as you on this, but don't forget about Hunt if Addy is moved. I have a feeling if he has a great camp like last year and what he showed last year in IA, and with Team Canada before getting hurt, he may be a bigger factor for consideration.

    I'm thinking they are going to kiss and make up on the contract because they don't have a viable option for PP1 and Hunt is not an option for that.

    The downside is we're probably not gonna get any return and may have to take our lumps on his defensive lapses and thereon is the great mystery and debate we have all had for the last three months of who to put him with.

    Edited by vonlonster67
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