Niklas Backstrom News

The Minnesota Wild announced this afternoon they signed Swedish goaltender Johan Gustafsson - their sixth-round pick in the 2010 draft - to a three-year entry-level contract, beating by one day the deadline to sign players from the 2010 draft or risk losing their rights.

Hey all! Welcome to Arctic Ice Hockey's first annual NHL Mock Draft. Over the next thirty days, Ryan, Tim and myself will attempt to telepathically channel the minds of NHL General Managers as they complete their final rankings in preparation for the 2012 NHL Draft being held June 22, 2012 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mikael Granlund is only 20, but has shown he can thrive on a world stage. It's one reason he was the ninth pick in the 2010 draft.

Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher and head coach Mike Yeo have a decision to make on all the free agents.

The Wild announced the move on Thursday. The 27-year-old Stoner is one member of a rebuilding defence corps that the Wild hopes to improve in front of goaltender Niklas Backstrom next season.

The New Jersey Devils advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night, and with that, the Wild acquired the Devils' 2013 third-round pick.