Wild 'Badly' Want to Re-Sign Michael McCarron, But Pending UFA May Decline

Free agent centers don't exactly grow on trees in the NHL these days. Especially ones that are the size of trees. 6'6", 230-pound Michael McCarron is a pending UFA, and the Minnesota Wild "badly want to re-sign him."

But they might not get the chance, says insider Michael Russo in The Athletic.

While the Wild have cap space and badly want to re-sign him, McCarron almost certainly could make more on the open market since it just takes one team to throw a boatload of cash and term his way.

Despite having a career-high of 12 goals and 22 points (both set two years ago), McCarron is gaining steam as a big free agent target, both because of the dearth of available centers, and because of the imposing size, physicality and grit that he brings to the bottom-six. He was acquired by the Wild at the trade deadline from the Nashville Predators and produced five points in 20 games and another four points in 11 playoff games.

"He found a strong fit with the Minnesota Wild," writes Russo, "and now, at the exact moment most teams, including the Wild, are desperate for centers — with virtually none available in free agency — McCarron has a chance to strike it rich."

So, as the insider notes, the 30-year-old has a big choice to make in the coming weeks: Stick with the good fit he's found in Minny, or look to cash in as big as he can on what will be his best chance to land a good-sized contract with term.

McCarron's high-water mark in terms of salary through the first nine years of his career has been $900,000.

"I think I’m at a point in my career where I haven’t really taken that next step financially, or had quite the security, I’d say. I guess that’s what I’m looking for,” admitted McCarron, while adding he greatly appreciates what the Wild did for him.

AFP Analytics only projects McCarron for a two-year, $2M AAV contract, but the massive pivot is bound to soar past that mark, both in term and salary, due to the demand for his services.

There's already been a report that the Vancouver Canucks could target McCarron on the open market.