Mats Zuccarello isn’t the only player getting an extension from the Wild today. The team announced that it has signed winger Marcus Foligno to a four-year, $16MM contract extension. Michael Russo of The Athletic adds (Twitter link) that the deal carries a full no-move clause in the first two seasons and a partial no-trade clause in the final two seasons. CapFriendly adds (via Twitter) the breakdown of the money:
2024-25: $5MM
2025-26: $4.5MM
2026-27: $3.5MM
2027-28: $3MM
The 32-year-old has been a fixture in Minnesota’s middle six for the past six seasons after they acquired him from Buffalo back in 2017 as part of the swap that saw the Sabres re-acquire winger Jason Pominville. Along the way, he has become an important part of their leadership group and currently serves as one of their alternate captains.
The last two seasons were polar opposites for Foligno. In 2021-22, he posted career highs offensively, notching 23 goals and 19 assists in 74 games. For context, he had only had two seasons where he had more than 23 points, both coming during his time with Minnesota. However, he wasn’t able to come close to that output last year as he was held to just seven tallies along with 14 helpers in 65 contests.
The version of Foligno that put up 40 points is probably worth that contract when you factor in his physicality and ability to play on both special teams units. However, last year’s version doesn’t quite justify that cost. That makes it interesting that GM Bill Guerin opted for the early extension here before seeing if last season was a blip or a sign of things to come.
The deal represents a $900K increase on his current agreement which runs through the 2023-24 season. Those savings will come from Zuccarello’s new contract which saw his AAV dip by $1.875MM. Basically, Guerin was able to get two core veterans signed while still creating a bit of extra wiggle room for next season. Earlier today, Guerin confirmed that extension discussions are underway with Ryan Hartman, another pending UFA as he tries to take care of his spending before the season gets underway.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
1 year at 3.5 is closer to reality but It’s Guerin’s world, I’m just living in it. Way to tie up more money in old guys. Guerin has clearly never heard of the new NHL, Bigger, Better, Younger, Faster.
He’s not “old”, he’s big, and he brings some p*ss and vinegar to the team. Sometimes I don’t understand who people want playing alongside Kaprisov considering the financial constraints…
I’m just saying why is Guerin so eager to extend players who are past there prime, It seems desperate to me and unnecessary. After a player gets to a certain age I think It’s wise to go 1 year at a time. Craig Conroy extended Mikael Backlund yesterday at to appropriate amount of money and term based on Backlunds age.
Foligno isn’t going to get younger, Better, Faster, Or bigger, He’s going to continue to get older but Guerin gave him term and a nice raise,Nobody can justify this extension and let me remind everyone that Foligno scored 7 goals last year. 2 plus decades and counting, No Stanley Cup In St.Paul.
The moose is loose.
Good signing.
Marcus is well liked by the team and the fans and 8f he can score like he did a year or two ago even better.
He may be well liked, but at 32 with what he has delivered in his career, this is a big big overpay! At his age to get 4 yrs it should be in the 2m range at most!!
Too much money , 3 x 3 would have been my guess.
Guerin is paying more to Foligno than zucci for next two years. That’s not right.
I smell a future buyout.