Wild sign Bouchard to 5-year extension

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has inked a five-year, $20.4 million US extension with the Minnesota Wild.

The agrement avoids an arbitration hearing between the two sides which was scheduled for Monday.

Bouchard posted a career-high 63 points (13 goals, 50 assists) in 81 games with the Wild last season. His assist total was a franchise record, surpassing the previous mark of 48 held by Andrew Brunette.

In five seasons with the Wild, the right winger has scored 61 goals with 160 assists with a rating of plus-21.

"Pierre-Marc is just 24 years old and the best years of his career are ahead of him," Wild president and general manager Doug Risebrough said in a statement. "He is a good example of how drafting and developing your own players leads to team success.

"This is why the Wild was willing to make such a substantial and long-term commitment to him."