Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:43 pm EDT

(NOTE: Don't forget about Puck Daddy's 2009 Free Agent Frenzy Chatter Box)
Martin Havlat(notes) has agreed to be the historically fragile offensive talent to replace another historically fragile offensive talent for the Minnesota Wild, signing a six-year, $30 million contract this evening according to the Star Tribune.
Havlat leaves the Chicago Blackhawks after three seasons, his best (and healthiest) coming in 2008-09 with 77 points in 81 games to help lead the Hawks to the Western Conference finals. He had 15 points in 16 playoff games as well.
Sniff, sniff ... anyone else smell smoke? That's the bridge to Chicago that Havlat might be igniting soon, according to his official Twitter feed. The following appeared after the Wild signing:
"Excited to be in Minny where I was welcomed and appreciated by management. The real story about what happened in Chicago to come out."
"There's something to be said for loyalty and honor."
Well, that didn't come off too bitter. The Blackhawk's long-term commitment to Marian Hossa(notes) likely spelled the end for Havlat in the Windy City. And at 6-foot-1, he obviously was over the height requirement to be signed by the Montreal Canadiens.
As for Minnesota, they're getting a quality two-way player coming off a massively successful contract year. He led the Blackhawks with 2.89 points per 60 minutes in 81 games -- that's killer. Hard to imagine how he'll hit those numbers again in Minnesota, but 60-65 points and the ability to make his linemates better makes this a good hockey move.
Financially ... well, the cap hit's about right considering how Marian Gaborik(notes) reset the market earlier in the day after leaving the Wild for the New York Rangers. It's actually a lower hit than he had on his last deal with Chicago ($6 million). But for all the puckheads screaming about how five years for Gaborik is too long for someone that F-R-A-G-I-L-E ... how's six years for Marty Havlat treatin' you?
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune also writes that Saku Koivu(notes) is sleeping on an offer from the Wild tonight. Well, not literally ... staples and paper cuts. He'd never get to sleep.
Puck Daddy is an NHL blog edited by Greg Wyshynski. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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40 Comments
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groooooooan
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But, I wish him nothing but the very best, I'll give him a standing O when he comes back to the UC next season. Then I hope we kick his ass 4 times next year.
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There was always something going on between Havlat and management that didn't seem right. Perhaps it came to a head over these recent negotiations. I am happy that we wound up with the best overall player available in free agency in Marian Hossa who has also shown himself to be very durable and hopefully will have leadership qualities that Marty just didn't quite have. That wasn't his personality although his teammates liked him.
Marty, if you read this, good luck with the Wild my friend. It's too bad that team has resembled hardly anything I saw in the North Stars. Jacque Lemaire couldn't have had a more boring team to watch and play against.
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