Matt Cullen has agreed to a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild. The deal is worth $1MM in salary, with an additional $700K in potential performance bonuses. Cullen had been reportedly deciding between the Wild and Penguins, but eventually decided to return home to Minnesota and forego his shot at a “three-peat” with Pittsburgh. Cullen himself told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that leaving the Penguins was “probably the hardest decision I ever had to make.”
“Dad” as many Penguins fans (and media) like to call Cullen was beloved in Pittsburgh, and you could hear the entire team chanting “ONE MORE YEAR!” as they celebrated their latest Stanley Cup victory. 2017-18 will mark his 20th season in the NHL, and he remains a very effective two-way center. Despite playing some of the lowest minutes of his career, he registered more than 30 points for the 13th time, and continued his career-long streak of winning more than 50% of his draws. He’ll likely slot into the fourth-line role in Minnesota, but will provide ample depth behind the star-studded forward group.
[Updated: Minnesota Wild Depth Chart]
In 1,366 career regular season games, Cullen has 689 points but has always been relied upon for more than scoring. His penalty killing ability and leadership on and off the ice will add a new dimension the a Wild team that struggled in the playoffs last season. Cullen has three Stanley Cup victories under his belt, including one from 2005-06 with Carolina, a team that was led by a young superstar named Eric Staal. The two will be reunited in Minnesota where Staal has re-energized his career, and try to bring some playoff success to a team that desperately thirsts for it.
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune was first to break the deal.
Let him go to Minnesota. If he doesn’t want a chance at a 3 peat I’m not sure what he is playing for. Pens gave him a chance when no one wanted him and he repaid them but dude chance for a 3 peat? Hope this isn’t a bidding war ploy
The guy is a two time champion, is it really that bad that he’s going back home to play? I imagine most players (in all sports leagues) would love the opportunity to play for their hometown team/favorite team, especially if they have already won a championship.
3 time, won a cup with Carolina.
Minnesota will be good again. It’s not like he left a good team to play in Colorado.
I can’t see it being a bidding war. He was born in Minnesota, so I think it’s probably more just going moving back close to home.
He wasn’t going to get a potential 1.7 from the Pens as a 4th line center
You’re right, they’d be giving him 2m to be a 3rd line center. This saddens me, there was no one more perfect for that role than Cullen. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Minnesota native coming home for one last go at it! Love it! But above that it’s an amazing signing for the wild. He’s going to provide that center depth vacated by losing haula. Wonder what this means for signing foligno?
Go St. Cloud Huskies!
Means you’ll have no cap left after you sign him, great job by Fletcher giving himself some cap space to potentially bring in a vet via trade during the season!
He will probably want to do something hockey based after his playing days, so makes sense to spend his last year in Minnesota, and likely work for them in some capacity close to home. Great career.