Hartman agrees to multi year extension with Wild

*Photo from Sportsnet*

   Another player is sticking around in the hockey state. The Minnesota Wild and forward Ryan Hartman have agreed to a 3 year, $12 million contract extension, according to the Wild on Saturday.

   This season, Hartman will play out the final year of his current contract, paying him $1.7 million with a no movement clause. His new contract pays him $4 million annually and has a no movement clause for 2024-2025 and a modified no trade clause for the final two years as a 15 team no trade list.

   Wild GM Bill Guerin said of Hartman that "He can play center. He can play wing. He can play in between Kirill and 'Zuccy'. He can play with anybody. And the fact, too, him and Marcus play a much different game than Zuccy. But that's part of our identity in which they bring every night. I like what they bring to the table. Specifically with Hartzy, yeah, there's a lot of good things that he does. I'm just glad we were able to get it done."

   Hartman was limited last season due to injury. He put up 15 goals with 22 assists for 37 points, posting a +7 rating while averaging 16:18 of ice time per game, suiting up in 59 regular season games. He had two goals and 3 assists in 5 playoff games.

   Before landing in Minnesota, Hartman had bounced around with the Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, and Philadelphia Flyers. He shifted to center and posted some of his best numbers in a Wild uniform.

   Guerin said "Sometimes it just doesn't work. And I think it worked here. Ryan took a pay cut last time, was a little more term, but he did what he had to do to put himself in a really good position, and he's performed. I really have a lot of respect for Ryan in doing that because, it's not easy to say 'Yes' when the general manager comes to you and asks you to take a little less. You always want more, but I think he was smart and kept himself in a really good position with guys that he really wants to be around. His teammates love him."

   Hartman has spent 9 years in the NHL, playing for the Wild, Flyers, Predators, and Blackhawks. He's racked up 107 goals and 126 assists, averaging 14:15 of ice time while posting a +55 rating in 506 regular season games. Hartman has an additional 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points in 35 career playoff games.

   The Wild previously signed Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Foligno to contract extensions as they entered the final season of their current contracts.