Latendresse?
Jun 12, 2012 13:27:26 GMT -5
Post by Forum Ghost on Jun 12, 2012 13:27:26 GMT -5
If Therrien can come back, why not Gui? 
Hi might be a UFA this summer and can probably be signed for cheap. Apparently he's healthy and ready to play again. Thoughts?
Latendresse is ready to play
TheFourthPeriod.com
Guillaume Latendresse doesn't know if he'll be playing for Minnesota next season, but the Star-Tribune reports the winger has fully recovered from the concussion that cost him the entire 2011-12 season.
The 25-year-old has declared himself symptom-free after undergoing treatments in Georgia and is set to return as the power forward who collected 25 goals and 12 assists for 37 points in 55 games with the Wild, after the team acquired him from the Montreal Canadiens in November 2009.
"It's like I never had any concussion," Latendresse said. "I feel 100 percent. I'm doing training like before. I have nothing. I can't even remember when my last headache was."
Though Latendresse remains unsure if the Wild will re-sign him, he is confident that he can bring an offensive boost to any team looking to potentially snatch him off the free-agent market, if the Wild lets him become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
However, Latendresse has only played 27 of 162 games over the last two seasons and is not likely to earn the same salary of $5 million. While the Wild could present him with a qualifying offer of $2.5 million by June 25 to hold on to his rights and make him a restricted free agent, Latendresse is not expecting this scenario.
"I know I won't get a qualifying offer," Latendresse said. "I'm 100 percent sure about that. It's pretty obvious with my last two years."
His agent, Pat Brisson and Wild GM Chuck Fletcher are expected to meet for further talks next week as Latendresse, who will undergo a team doctors' evaluation, is willing to make some compromises.
"I just want to get a sense where he is health wise and fitness wise and mentally," Fletcher said. "He's shown he can be a good player when he's healthy and motivated, and that's the key. Is he healthy and is he motivated?"
If Fletcher is satisfied with the medical evaluation's results, he could sign Latendresse to a one-year deal that includes a clause for performances bonuses and games played.
"I'm 25, I'm young, I have a good season behind me, I know I can bring something to a team," Latendresse said. "It's just who's going to give me a chance to do it. If it's Minnesota that wants me back, I'll be happy there. I like the city, I like the organization there, I like the coaching staff. So I'd find a way to make it work.
"I'm not nervous about it. I'm really confident about what I can bring to a team, especially the way the game is played now with how the big players are doing the big difference now. The game is played around the boards and the net, and I know that's my game. All I'm asking for is a team that's going to give me confidence, that's going to make me feel the way that I felt when I got traded to Minnesota. I know it's hard for them to do it, but that's all I need.â€
In other news, Fletcher is looking to talk with netminder Josh Harding and his agent next week.
The 27-year-old backup goalie is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and could choose to hit the free market as several teams across the league are reportedly looking to acquire Harding, who has proven to be ready for a starter role.
If Harding walks, the Wild will need to find a backup goaltender for next season.
"That's more Josh's call," Fletcher said. "He's kind of in the driver's seat if he wants to go somewhere or pursue something here."
In 34 regular-season games with the Wild, Harding registered a .917 save percentage and 2.62 goals-against average.
www.thefourthperiod.com/news/min120611.html
Hi might be a UFA this summer and can probably be signed for cheap. Apparently he's healthy and ready to play again. Thoughts?
Latendresse is ready to play
TheFourthPeriod.com
Guillaume Latendresse doesn't know if he'll be playing for Minnesota next season, but the Star-Tribune reports the winger has fully recovered from the concussion that cost him the entire 2011-12 season.
The 25-year-old has declared himself symptom-free after undergoing treatments in Georgia and is set to return as the power forward who collected 25 goals and 12 assists for 37 points in 55 games with the Wild, after the team acquired him from the Montreal Canadiens in November 2009.
"It's like I never had any concussion," Latendresse said. "I feel 100 percent. I'm doing training like before. I have nothing. I can't even remember when my last headache was."
Though Latendresse remains unsure if the Wild will re-sign him, he is confident that he can bring an offensive boost to any team looking to potentially snatch him off the free-agent market, if the Wild lets him become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
However, Latendresse has only played 27 of 162 games over the last two seasons and is not likely to earn the same salary of $5 million. While the Wild could present him with a qualifying offer of $2.5 million by June 25 to hold on to his rights and make him a restricted free agent, Latendresse is not expecting this scenario.
"I know I won't get a qualifying offer," Latendresse said. "I'm 100 percent sure about that. It's pretty obvious with my last two years."
His agent, Pat Brisson and Wild GM Chuck Fletcher are expected to meet for further talks next week as Latendresse, who will undergo a team doctors' evaluation, is willing to make some compromises.
"I just want to get a sense where he is health wise and fitness wise and mentally," Fletcher said. "He's shown he can be a good player when he's healthy and motivated, and that's the key. Is he healthy and is he motivated?"
If Fletcher is satisfied with the medical evaluation's results, he could sign Latendresse to a one-year deal that includes a clause for performances bonuses and games played.
"I'm 25, I'm young, I have a good season behind me, I know I can bring something to a team," Latendresse said. "It's just who's going to give me a chance to do it. If it's Minnesota that wants me back, I'll be happy there. I like the city, I like the organization there, I like the coaching staff. So I'd find a way to make it work.
"I'm not nervous about it. I'm really confident about what I can bring to a team, especially the way the game is played now with how the big players are doing the big difference now. The game is played around the boards and the net, and I know that's my game. All I'm asking for is a team that's going to give me confidence, that's going to make me feel the way that I felt when I got traded to Minnesota. I know it's hard for them to do it, but that's all I need.â€
In other news, Fletcher is looking to talk with netminder Josh Harding and his agent next week.
The 27-year-old backup goalie is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and could choose to hit the free market as several teams across the league are reportedly looking to acquire Harding, who has proven to be ready for a starter role.
If Harding walks, the Wild will need to find a backup goaltender for next season.
"That's more Josh's call," Fletcher said. "He's kind of in the driver's seat if he wants to go somewhere or pursue something here."
In 34 regular-season games with the Wild, Harding registered a .917 save percentage and 2.62 goals-against average.
www.thefourthperiod.com/news/min120611.html
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/6F6VF25GCFF2HFJCOITRJSGNPE.jpg)
