Mike Reilly Will Sign With Minnesota Wild - The Hockey Writers -

College free agent Mike Reilly has decided to sign with the Minnesota Wild, per The Star Tribune’s Michael Russo.

Russo notes that this is final, unless something “backfires,” because Wild GM Chuck Fletcher is currently in a meeting with Devan Dubnyk’s agent Mike Liut and then follows that up by meeting with Mikael Granlund’s agent Todd Diamond. Reilly’s agent, Pat Brisson, hasn’t yet informed the team of Reilly’s decision.

Per Russo:

Again, unless something backfires (I keep saying that because Reilly’s camp have not informed the Wild yet), Reilly is expected to agree to a two-year, $1.85 million deal (plus bonuses) with the Wild, sources say.

The former Gophers defenseman, who became a free agent June 16 when he didn’t sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a Hobey Baker finalist.

This is a boon for the Wild who desperately need a left-hander for their third pairing. The addition of Reilly will help to make the Wild’s defensive units a young, formidable group featuring Ryan Suter, Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Dumba, Reilly, and Christian Folin. They also have Gustav Olofsson and Dylan Labbe as legitimate prospects who are expected to play their first full AHL season this coming year.

The Gopher D-man became a free agent after informing the Columbus Blue Jackets, who drafted him in the 4th round of the 2011 draft, that he would not be signing with them and instead would pursue free agency. Reilly is able to announce where he intends to sign, but he’s not able to actually sign a contract until July 1.

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