The Minnesota Wild and goaltender Darcy Kuemper are in a bit of a tight spot: with the season inching closer, the Wild aren't close to signing the restricted free agent.
The Wild want a two-year, two-way contract for Kuemper, but he wants a one-year, one-way contract. Kuemper wants to play as many games as possible, which could see him sign with a Russian KHL team, since Wild goaltenders Josh Harding and Nicklas Backstrom are both signed to one-way deals.
Kuemper's agent Jeff Helperl told the Star Tribune's Michael Russo the details:
It comes down to Darcy has to play somewhere this year. Minnesota, they’re stuck on giving Darcy a two-way deal and I think Darcy deserves more. I’ve basically told Chuck, ‘We’re looking at a one-way deal on a one-year contract.' They want to do a two-year contract. I just kind of told him where things are at. By no means are we shooting for the moon at all. I just want to get a one-way contract and get Darcy playing more games, and wherever that’s going to be, it’s going to be.
Helperl told Russo he has been in contact with Russian KHL teams already, and Kuemper isn't afraid to sign overseas for more playing time.
"Well he’s going to play somewhere, so it could happen," said Helperl.
"It’s an ongoing, moving target all the time," Helperl explained. "I last spoke to Chuck [Fletcher] I think last week and I don’t think we moved very far ahead. It’s pretty simple. We’re looking for a one-year, one-way deal."
