The Minnesota Wild locked up its leading minor league scorer last year, signing right wing Jean-Michel Daoust to a one-year contract. In his third American Hockey League season, Daoust led the Houston Aeros in scoring with 21 goals and 34 assists in 78 games.
I suppose so, but having him available for call-up is nice. What happens with Robbie Earl, probably sign another 2-way somewhere? He was our call-up master last year.
My guess is Earl will test the free agent market and see if he can get a better deal because I don't see the Wild with their recent signings giving him more time with the big club.
Good for them, some competition and incentive is always good.
Height doesn't matter, it's all about how he plays. Gionta and Cammalleri are both doing just fine for Montreal and neither of them are over 5'8.
I know. If Daoust can't be a top-six guy in the NHL, then he's SOL because he's too small to be a grinder. Gionta and Cammalleri do have the intagibles and skills to be top-six players despite their size, but it's hard to bet on a 26 year-old who hasn't played in the NHL.
I watched JM Dauost play when he was with the Danbury Trashers a few years ago. Guy has all the heart in the world despite being small. Hope he does well.
You can have 50 players signed, so you might as well have the whole Aeros team under contract. JMD was one of their best players, and is familiar with coach Todd Richards so he isn't a terrible option to have in the system, even if he is 5'7.
Yeah, I didn't realize he was on an AHL-contract only. He had a good year, I'm sure he'll challenge for a 4th line role too maybe?
Can't tell if you are being sarcastic but this guy doesn't seem like he's cut out for a fourth line role. You'd never bring up a fourth liner from the minors and stick him on the first line in the National league, I think in the case of a 5-7 skill guy, he wouldn't work in a fourth line role.
There's a reason why Constantine got canned, although to be fair half of the Aeros had frequent flier miles between Houston and St. Paul.
Constantine got fired because new management wants their own guy, not because of his team's performance. He's a solid AHL coach and wouldn't be surprised to see him hired elsewhere.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookman
Maybe they envision a mosquito line of Daoust, Bouchard and Wellman.
I don't even know if those 3 players will even play for the Wild next year. Wellman has the best chance, but the Wellman that played last year should be in Houston.
Looks like Minnesota officially signed Rau as well.
Quote:
Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed center Chad Rau, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., to a two-year, entry level contract.
“Chad had a successful rookie season in Houston, making the adjustment from college hockey,” said Assistant to the General Manager Jim Mill, who also serves as the Aeros General Manager. “He is a skilled offensive player but also plays a strong two-way game. Chad adds valuable depth to our organization.”
Rau, 23 (1/18/87), ranked third in goals and fourth in scoring with the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros in 2009-10, posting 38 points (19-19=38) while tying a team-high with 79 games played in his rookie season. He signed as an AHL free agent with Houston prior to last season. Rau played four seasons at Colorado College, totaling 140 points (73-67=140) in 159 games. He was a First Team All-WCHA selection in 2007-08 and 2008-09, and was also named to the NCAA West Second All-America Team in those two seasons. Rau was the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Rookie of the Year in 2004-05, the same season he played for gold-medal winning Team USA at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship. Rau was Toronto’s seventh-round selection (No. 228 overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
And so Chuck Fletcher continues to add depth to the organization without the sacrifice of other assets. More competition in Houston can't be a bad thing: and ANOTHER Minnesotan?!
How many FA's did he sign that were Minnesotans? 3?!?!?
He's really outdone himself here. Now no one can say we have no Minnesotans when we clearly now do.
I don't mind the signings, would you rather have these guys or Irmen eating up a contract? At least these guys can produce at an AHL level. The end of June can't get here soon enough, I'm super excited for draft day.
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