The Minnesota Wild will bring in some more experience to training camp, signing Drew Stafford to a professional tryout. Stafford has spent the last two seasons with the New Jersey Devils, actually making the team last year after accepting a similar PTO to attend training camp.
Stafford, 33, has recorded just 13 points in 57 games last season for the Devils but could potentially fill a role as the 13th forward for Minnesota depending on what they want to do with some of their youngsters. Players like Luke Kunin, Jordan Greenway and Nico Sturm certainly seem like solid candidates for the NHL roster, but with their waiver-exempt status could still see time in the minor leagues to continue their development.
New GM Bill Guerin of course likely remembers playing against Stafford near the end of his career when both were in the Eastern Conference. As the new executive tries to reshape the Minnesota roster, bringing in experienced veterans for training camp will hopefully cause some more competition among the young players and instill some professional habits.