Wild Linked To Devils Defenseman Ahead of Free Agency

The Minnesota Wild have a lot of money coming off the books from their defencemen in the offseason as Matt Dumba and John Klingberg are set to become unrestricted free agents. Letting both of them walk in free agency will free up $9.5 million alone. Both are top-four right-shot defencemen and that hole will have to be filled in free agency or via trade.

While Addison should be trusted to man the top power-play unit, the Wild may be looking for someone who is equally capable at both ends of the ice. A great match here would be Damon Severson who is a UFA this summer. The New Jersey Devils won't have the cap space or need to keep him. It is already a luxury that they have three very capable top-four defencemen lining the right side and now Luke Hughes has joined the team, crowding the defence even more.

Severson had a very good 2021-22 season when Dougie Hamilton was injured and still adjusting to New Jersey and John Marino had yet to be traded. Sevenson was on the top pair, playing very well at both ends of the ice. He wouldn't be on the top pair in Minnesota with Jared Spurgeon on the team, but still in a top-four role beside Jonas Brodin would allow him to be an effective player. Sevenson will be a great option for the Wild to fill the hole that will be left behind as he should cost less than Dumba's current contract for a number of years.