Wild lure former Flame Owen Nolan
Versatile winger is 4th free-agent forward to join Minnesota since July 1
The Minnesota Wild continued their off-season makeover Sunday, signing gritty winger Owen Nolan.
Nolan, who scored 16 goals and 32 points in 77 games with the Calgary Flames last season, will earn $5.5 million US over the next two years.
"Owen Nolan is a true power winger who can score goals, play a physical brand, play either wing and take faceoffs," Wild general manager Doug Risebrough said in a statement.
"We are excited to add a player of his experience and versatility."
The 36-year-old Nolan, a former first overall pick, added two goals and five points in seven contests in this year's playoffs.
He is a five-time all-star who set career highs with 44 goals and 84 points with the San Jose Sharks in 1999-2000.
The native of Belfast, Northern Ireland has 381 goals, 426 assists and 1,727 penalty minutes in 1,068 career games with Quebec, Colorado, San Jose, Toronto, Phoenix and Calgary.
Nolan is the fourth free-agent forward to join the Wild since free agency opened July 1.
Ex-Colorado Avalanche star Andrew Brunette signed a $7-million, three-year deal, while former Phoenix Coyotes forward Craig Weller inked a $1.2-million, two-year pact and ex-Dallas Stars winger Antti Miettinen signed a three-year contract.
The Wild also signed goalie Barry Brust to a multi-year contract and right wing Jesse Schultz to a one-year deal.
Brust was 24-16-3 with a 2.27 goals-against average last season for the Wild's American Hockey League affiliate, the Houston Aeros.
Schultz had 26 goals and 40 assists in 80 games last season for the Chicago Wolves in the AHL. He's a cousin of Wild defenceman Nick Schultz.
With files from the Canadian Press