[SAINT PAUL | MINNESOTA]
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For the second year in a row since moving south from Thunder Bay, the Minnesota Norsemen missed out on the CCHL playoffs.
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While in the thick of a rebuild, the pain of an early start to the offseason has been unbearable to a hockey mad fan base that deserves a winner and an ultra-competitive general manager that feels the time is now to turn the corner with his hockey club.
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"Without completely dismantling what we have built in regards to a young, strong base. We gauged where were in the league, what other teams would possibly be doing in the offseason, and how we move up another level," said Norsemen GM Blake Wendt. "We feel we have an opportunity to make some noise and punch some teams in the throat."
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The first swing came on April 4th, when both Daniel Sedin and Jakub Voracek were acquired.
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Sedin from Siberia with prospect defenseman Joe Faust for Nick Bonino and prospects Nic Kerdiles, Oskar Lindblom, Laurent Brossoit, Blake Coleman and Derek Forbort.
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Voracek and $2M from Calgary for Nino Niederreiter and prospect goalie, John Gibson
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A flurry of trades in the league also took place in the next few days, and the Norsemen were equal players in the continued transactions.
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April 6th, Minnesota sent Jakub Silfverberg, Zach Redmond and $1M to Calgary for the other half of the split Sedin egg, Daniel.
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April 13th, the twins weren't enough in the Twin Cities, and former Minnesota Gopher, Phil Kessel was acquired from Springfield for Valeri Nichushkin and prospects Ryan Dzingel and Myles Bell.
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Another significant player was acquired during this time as well. But that transaction cannot be announced until after the CCHL Entry Draft.
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The Norsemen then cut some fat off their roster and dealt Joffrey Lupul and his remaining contract, plus Justin Fontaine and $5M to Hamilton for $1. That dollar was then given to the Herb Brooks Olympia head Zamboni driver.
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Hoping to be big players in the annual UFA bidding wars, Wendt was not able to land the major pieces in the first round of bidding.
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"The prices are always high during this period," said Wendt. "But this year seemed to be extremely high. In a lot of cases, we were not even close when we threw a number in the hat that was already over payment in or eyes. There will be some teams will be hurting financially for a long time. But if you get a Cup out of that spending, then it's all worth it. We just weren't in a position to pay the prices that were ultimately paid."
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Minnesota did get depth value in the remaining rounds of bidding though. In the second round, center Patrik Berglund and goalie Mike Smith were picked up. Berglund likely a fourth line center and Smith backing up Roberto Luongo next season.
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Forward Viktor Stalberg and defenseman Luca Sbisa were added in the third and forth rounds. Stalberg likely to be an emergency call-up from Duluth and Sbisa possibly fighting for a third pairing job. But likely practice squad or in Duluth.
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All in all, this has so far been a very busy offseason in the State of Hockey. With only two late round picks in the upcoming Entry Draft, the summer is basically here for the hockey operations staff already.
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"It's a skeleton crew for sure in regards to the Draft," said Wendt. Unless something comes in that blows us away, I think we're set where we are in the Draft. Anything is possible with trades as well. But we like who we have in here right now, and it shouldn't look that much different when we break camp in September and get going in October. I think we've put together a group that can do some damage next season. For now though, it's time to hit the water and land some fish"
