Havlat Signs Six-Year Deal With Minnesota

[lakingsfan19]

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has agreed to terms with right wing Martin Havlat on a six-year contract.

“We are excited to add the speed and scoring of Martin Havlat to our lineup,” said Fletcher. “He is a terrific two-way player.”

Havlat, 28 (4/19/81), led the Chicago Blackhawks with a career-high 77 points (29-48=77) while skating in a career-high 81 games in the 2008-09 season. He ranked ninth in the NHL in plus-minus (plus-29). Havlat added 15 points (5-10=15) in 16 Stanley Cup playoff games as the Blackhawks advanced to the Western Conference finals. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound native of Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, has recorded 396 points (169-227=396), a plus-87 rating, 53 power play goals and 31 game-winning goals in 470 NHL games in eight seasons with Ottawa and Chicago. Havlat participated in the NHL All-Star Game in the 2006-07 season, when he led Chicago in goals (25), assists (32) and points (57) despite appearing in just 56 games. He was a member of the NHL’s All-Rookie team in 2000-01 and played for the Czech Republic at the 2002 Olympics.

Havlat was Ottawa’s first-round pick (No. 26 overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

[Snipes19]

I still have to see the amount of money, but the Wild need a goal scorer so Havlat should help them.

[bigjohnson]

Hmmm. I wonder if that means Saku Koivu is out of the picture

[canuckfan]

Damn, I was hoping the Canucks would take a shot at him.

[lakingsfan19]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

Damn, I was hoping the Canucks would take a shot at him.

Looks like it was the Nucks and the Wild were in the running.

I have no idea why it feel out in LA, must of been the rumor cost of 64 mil over 7 years. We will have to see what the price was. I think that is way too much cash for Havlat.

[JKidd]

Russo of the Trib says its all but done, and Havlat is only talking with the Wild.

Also says that because Saku is back home in Finland, negotiations are a bit tough with the time change, but still going on with him.

Bringing in both Havlat and Saku - as the picture gets clearer is going to be huge.

Still having Hards as trade bait is even bigger.

All that'd be left after all this, is bringing in a defenseman like Beauchemin or Scuderi - from what I'm hearing.

[Supercup]

Per TSN

$30 million - 6 years - $5 million per year.

[ScottRasner]

Deal is confirmed, Havlat is a Wild, good stuff Jkidd, now lock up Koivu, and you my friend have some solid top 6'rs.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11850

[chilly666]

the saku deal would be done except for the time difference cause saku is in finland. but im told except it done within 24-48 at the most.

[Isles4life]

The Wild need an offensive boost, so I'd say Havlat is a pretty good choice if he can stay healthy. If they do get Saku Koivu too to play with his brother, that pair of acquisitions would definitely make the Wild's offense a lot more interesting.

[SirYohans]

I always liked Havlat, great signing. Are they really landing Koivu also? How solid is this rumor?

[JKidd]

Only thing that makes me worried about Marty...

Did we lose one perennially injured star and sign another?

Hopefully Havlat shows no ill effects of that huge hit from the playoffs and is able to play 70+ games again.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by SirYohans

I always liked Havlat, great signing. Are they really landing Koivu also? How solid is this rumor?

Its VERY solid.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

With this move Perhaps they'll also decide to play offense this year.

[rondo]

Solid signing. As said I just hope Havlat stays healthy so he can shine. I will really start to like this team if they sign Koviu. Beauchamin would also be real nice.