Confirmed with Link: Wild Sign Nick Seeler & Mario Lucia to 2-year ELCs

[TaLoN]

From the Strib...

With college seasons in the process of being completed, one player signed with the Wild on Saturday, another is close to signing and a couple more could be around the corner.

The Wild signed Gophers junior defenseman Nick Seeler to a two-year, entry-level deal starting next season and is in the process of signing Notre Dame senior forward Mario Lucia, sources said. The Wild also soon will talk with Boston College sophomore Alex Tuch, Boston College junior Adam Gilmour and Minnesota Duluth junior defenseman Carson Soucy to see whether they’re ready to turn pro.

“It was tough decision, but it just came to me and felt like the right decision,†said Seeler, 22, a 2011 fifth-round draft pick. “It’s a great opportunity. The Gophers treated me so well and were going to welcome me back with open arms, but I just feel I’m ready to move on.â€

“He played in a shutdown role, and we envision him playing a similar role at the pro level,†General Manager Chuck Fletcher said. “He’s a highly competitive kid, defends well, is a good skater and physical.â€

Lucia, a 2011 second-round pick who led the Fighting Irish with 21 goals last season, finished this season with 24 points. He is set to graduate in May and could start in Iowa on an amateur tryout.

With all college prospects, when Tuch, Gilmour and Soucy are ready to meet, Fletcher will present them with the pros and cons of leaving school and will first talk to their college coaches.

Click to read more...

 

[Victorious Secret]

Meh.

 

[TaLoN]

Getting all these college guys to the AHL now will keep them protected in the expansion draft next year.

 

[forthewild]

Getting all these college guys to the AHL now will keep them protected in the expansion draft next year.

Yup, plus you never know when a guy will end up being a good player for you. Seeler or Lucia may not get you excited but they can surprise you.

Hope Tuch and Eriksson-Ek join them in Iowa for the next year.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Seeker was most definitely not an expansion risk.

 

[Mickey the mouse]

Getting all these college guys to the AHL now will keep them protected in the expansion draft next year.

Are you saying that kids that Wild hold rights to are NOT automatically protected ?

Please explain. Thanks

 

[TaLoN]

Are you saying that kids that Wild hold rights to are NOT automatically protected ?

Please explain. Thanks

College players will only be protected for two years after their draft. Thus guys like Tuch, we need him to turn pro so then he's protected by the first or second year pro on an elc contract rule.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Are you saying that kids that Wild hold rights to are NOT automatically protected ?

Please explain. Thanks

There's talk that unsigned college kids who have played 2 years could be exposed.

 

[Mickey the mouse]

There's talk that unsigned college kids who have played 2 years could be exposed.

Wow, 1st I've heard of that .

If true everything makes sense.

Thanks very much


Also,

Does that mean any kid that is drafted from 2014 draft or prior even if they don't play college and play over seas or Jr's ?

 

[tomgilbertfan]

There's talk that unsigned college kids who have played 2 years could be exposed.

Well if that's the case then I'm a little worried about Belpedio.

 

[57special]

I can see very few college players being drafted over actual NHL'ers/AHL'ers by an expansion team.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Well if that's the case then I'm a little worried about Belpedio.

Since they'll fall under the 'one player per organization', I'm not. I'd be thrilled if they took him and left the NHL players.

 

[Minnewildsota]

I don't know why everyone is so worried about losing players; the general consensus is that we draft and develop terribly so what's the risk?

 

[tomgilbertfan]

 

[BagHead]

Wow, is that really true about the college kids during the expansion? Is it really decided upon, or is that just something on the table? Anyway, the only one I'd really worry about getting snatched up is Tuch. We need to get that kid signed ASAP!

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I don't think anything is decided yet.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

I'm a bigger fan of Ali Lucia.

 

[Al Lagoon]

Nice infusion of talent into the system.

Tuch and Soucy would be even better.

 

[TaLoN]

Nice infusion of talent into the system.

Tuch and Soucy would be even better.

I really hope they get Tuch signed.

 

[keppel146]

1. Tuch
2. Belpedio
3. who cares

 

[Engebretson]

1. Tuch
2. Belpedio
3. who cares

I'd certainly like to get Gilmour signed. A big-bodied center who can pitch in with some points here and there and has played well with Tuch at BC. I don't think he'll be a superstar in the NHL, but I think he could develop into a nice 3rd line center who could step onto the 2nd line in a pinch. At the very least, he'd help out Iowa.

 

[Jarick]

Curious to see how Lucia does in the pros. He was a phenom in Penticton but never really grew over his four years in college.

 

[Saga of the Elk]

Curious to see how Lucia does in the pros. He was a phenom in Penticton but never really grew over his four years in college.

Hey so was Wade Murphy! Who went on to have four points in two years at UND.

Lucia should not have gone to the BCHL. Beautiful part of the country, not a good developmental league for him.

 

[forthewild]

Hey so was Wade Murphy! Who went on to have four points in two years at UND.

Lucia should not have gone to the BCHL. Beautiful part of the country, not a good developmental league for him.

He wanted to play NCAA so he couldn't go to Junior. Was to early to sign for AHL. That was the best available for him

Lets give him a year in Iowa before we judge

 

[Saga of the Elk]

He wanted to play NCAA so he couldn't go to Junior. Was to early to sign for AHL. That was the best available for him

Lets give him a year in Iowa before we judge

2010 USHL Draft saw a few good players selected: Hudson Fasching, Jordan Oesterle, Shayne Gostisbehere, Adam Erne, Anthony DeAngelo, Lucas Lessio, Paul LaDue...Mario Lucia. Of course the AHL wasn't an option for a high school kid, but the USHL would have been a far better option. Not sure what the reasoning was there, but I think it had a negative impact.

Of course no one should label him a bust but I think it's fair to wonder about it.