Confirmed with Link: Wild sign G Brody Hoffman and D Zach Palmquist

[Granlund 64]

Looks like we're signing Zach Palmquist from MSU-Mankato as well.

29 points in 40 games as a D-Man

Click to read more...

 

[Killerjug]

Palmquist was awesome for Mankato, I really like that signing

 

[gphr513]

Looks like we're signing Zach Palmquist from MSU-Mankato as well.

29 points in 40 games as a D-Man

Palmquist was awesome for Mankato, I really like that signing

Yeah, I'd be happy with that signing.

As always, these NCAA signings are just gravy. No risk, with a possible reward.

 

[gphr513]

the minnesota wild has agreed to terms with goaltender brody hoffman and defenseman zach palmquist to entry-level contracts for the 2015-16 season.

Hoffman, 24 (2/18/91), went 13-6-2 with a 2.06 goals-against average (gaa), a .922 save percentage (sv%) and one shutout in 22 games during his junior season with the university of vermont in 2014-15. He ranked second in hockey east and 18th in the ncaa in gaa. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound native of wilkie, saskatchewan, posted a record of 34-33-9 with a 2.45 gaa, a .914 sv% and three shutouts in 78 games during three seasons with the catamounts.

He went 10-8-1 with a 2.11 gaa and a .925 sv% in 20 games during his sophomore season and ranked third in hockey east and 11th nationally in gaa and fifth in the league and 18th in the ncaa in sv%. He went 11-19-6 with a 2.86 gaa, a .904 sv% and two shutouts in 36 games for vermont during his freshman season in 2012-13. Hoffman became the first catamounts goalie to start every regular season game since tim thomas (1996-97). He was the only rookie in the nation to start every regular season contest and was named to the hockey east all-academic team.

Palmquist, 24 (12/9/90), served as an alternate captain and ranked tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 29 points (8-21=29) including four power-play goals and 22 penalty minutes (pim) in 40 games during his senior season for the minnesota state mavericks in 2014-15. The 6-foot, 175-pound native of south st. Paul, minn., did not miss a game during his four seasons at minnesota state playing in a school record 160 consecutive contests and recorded 96 points (25-71=96) and 109 pim. His point total ranks t-1st amongst school defenseman in the division i-era (1996-97 to present). Palmquist was named to the all-wcha first team in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and a wcha all-academic selection in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15.

 

[MuckOG]

Nice low risk, high reward type moves.

It would be nice to find another gem like Justin Fontaine....

 

[J22*]

Every time Fletcher signs a guy like these two, I care less and less about him trading late round picks for rentals.

 

[TheeNorthStar]

Nice nice...

 

[ThatGuy22]

I am now aware these two people exist.

 

[Engebretson]

Saw a little bit of Palmquist down in Mankato. Was solid and consistent, but I didn't see too much to write home about. Of course, that was a couple years ago and I'm sure his game has matured since then.

Good signings that have the potential to have bigger rewards than risk.

 

[MuckOG]

Every time Fletcher signs a guy like these two, I care less and less about him trading late round picks for rentals.

With the ever-increasing number of NCAA players now in the NHL, it begs the question: what is a more "sure thing": spending a late round round pick on an 18 year old or signing a "late bloomer" 22-24 year old free-agent player out of college?

Like you said, when Fletcher can find guys like Folin and Fontaine without having to give up any assets, it takes a lot of the sting out of trading away late round picks.

 

[Generic User]

Palmquist is a really good college player. If he were three inches taller and 30 pounds heavier I'd be a little more excited about him.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I am now aware these two people exist.

HA! Basically.

 

[DANOZ28]

all these signings must mean a few iowa wild players are getting the boot. ps both iowa goalies are not signed for next year so i could see us going with michalek & hofman.

 

[tyratoku]

all these signings must mean a few iowa wild players are getting the boot.

For the best. Quite a few forwards down there that produce little and just take up roster spots. The defense isn't much better.

Of the two CHL free agent pickups last year Brassart was less than impressive. Then guys like Bussieres and Bulmer have severely underwhelmed.

And stable, healthy guys would be nice. Every other week they sign someone new on an ATO to plug into the lineup.

 

[gopherman23]

Nice low risk, high reward type moves.

It would be nice to find another gem like Justin Fontaine....

I will say Fontaine has been great lately. Definitely an underrated type player.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

At the very least they'll help Iowa to be less horrible next year.

 

[gphr513]

For the best. Quite a few forwards down there that produce little and just take up roster spots. The defense isn't much better.

Of the two CHL free agent pickups last year Brassart was less than impressive. Then guys like Bussieres and Bulmer have severely underwhelmed.

And stable, healthy guys would be nice. Every other week they sign someone new on an ATO to plug into the lineup.

Yeah, I won't pretend that I really keep tabs on Iowa, but from everything I read, they are pretty awful. Some new blood can't be a bad thing.

 

[Paul Bunyan]

or...Alaska/QC. Though they'll drop one next year I presume.

 

[State of Hockey]

Good to see Palmquist get a shot with the hometown team. He will be missed here in Mankato. I think he's got a shot at an AHL career. I question his NHL chances though. He was a great player for the Mavs, but he seemed to be pretty done progressing. He's a very good skater and plays a smart all-around game. Good puck mover. But he's a bit undersized and doesn't have a good shot.

Every time Fletcher signs a guy like these two, I care less and less about him trading late round picks for rentals.

College FAs are still no substitute for draft picks, aside from maybe goalies. It's rare for a college FA to become more than a depth player, since they're basically done "blooming". Most never make it and the ones that do usually just fill out a roster. At least with mid-late rounders you have a small chance of finding a really good to elite player.

Palmquist is a really good college player. If he were three inches taller and 30 pounds heavier I'd be a little more excited about him.

That would be a great way to put it.

 

[MuckOG]

College FAs are still no substitute for draft picks, aside from maybe goalies. It's rare for a college FA to become more than a depth player, since they're basically done "blooming". Most never make it and the ones that do usually just fill out a roster. At least with mid-late rounders you have a small chance of finding a really good to elite player.


.

You can say the exact same thing about any player drafted between the 4th and 7th rounds.

 

[AKL]

I am now aware these two people exist.

I laughed a lot but it's the same thing for me. Oh well. Palmquist looks like a nice signing, could eventually turn into a serviceable bottom pairing guy, but Hoffman just seems like depth for Iowa, which is fine.

 

[Sharppi]

Yay prospects!

 

[Randy BoBandy]

I played with Palmquist for years. He has always been a great skater.

I'm glad he is getting a shot, especially with the Wild. He will help in Iowa for sure. Love it Fletch.

 

[TaLoN]

Good job Fletch, keep those free assets coming!

 

[123TripleDoge]

wasn't Palmquist the guy with a sweet shootout move in a prospects game?