Thomas Vanek had Minnesota high on his list from the start. Hes not the first NHL free agent to do so, and the way the Wild have

ST. Authentic Brett Favre Jersey . PAUL, Minn. - Thomas Vanek had Minnesota high on his list from the start. Hes not the first NHL free agent to do so, and the way the Wild have been progressing he probably wont be the last. Vanek agreed Tuesday to a three-year, $19.5 million contract, giving an improving lineup a potentially prolific scorer and allowing the Austrian-born left wing to settle in an area he has made his home since college. Two summers ago, the Wild turned heads by landing left wing Zach Parise and defenceman Ryan Suter. Now theyve added another top-market free agent in Vanek, whose 277 goals are the eighth-most in the NHL since his debut nine years ago. "What intrigued me the most was obviously with Zach signing here and Suter signing here, this team is getting really good and is very good," Vanek said, adding: "Im extremely thrilled to be a part of the Wild and of a group like this." According to a person with knowledge of the contract who spoke to on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the value, Vanek will make $5.5 million this season, $6.5 million in 2014-15 and $7.5 million in 2015-16. Vanek lives with his family in Stillwater, an idyllic riverfront suburb a few miles from Xcel Energy Center. He played two seasons at the University of Minnesota before turning pro with Buffalo and called winning the national championship with the Gophers the "best thing" hes done in his hockey career. "To be a part of the Wild now and go after the big prize and having a chance to do it in Minnesota is beyond my wildest dreams," Vanek said. Vanek was the fifth overall pick by the Sabres in 2003. He had two 40-goal seasons for them, but last fall he was traded to the New York Islanders, who later dealt him to Montreal. He totalled 27 goals over 78 games with the three teams. In the playoffs with the Canadiens, he had five goals and five assists in 17 games. Vaneks production slipped at times this season, and he was even benched briefly during the post-season, but the Wild werent deterred. "It certainly wasnt my best one I can tell you that. But Ill take the blame for that," Vanek said. "Its not always easy moving around and being away from my family." Vanek will play on either the first or second line, with some combination of Parise, Jason Pominville, Charlie Coyle, Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund likely filling the other top five forward spots. Vaneks 113 power-play goals since his 2005-06 rookie season are the third-most in the NHL in that span. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Vanek has the type of finishing ability around the net the Wild have lacked. "Theres no question that we do have some skill, but we dont score goals easily," coach Mike Yeo said. Vanek turned down seven-year offers, including from the Islanders. When Pominville was traded to the Wild last year, Vanek was the one who encouraged his long-time Sabres teammate. "He loved Buffalo a lot, which I did too," Vanek said. "But I told him, Youll like it there. Theres a lot of good fans. And after a week or so, he called me and said, You know what? Youre right. I do like it here a lot." Unlike in the other major pro sports, Minnesota can be a destination market in the NHL because of its hockey roots. The addition of Parise and Suter and the Wilds advancement to the Western Conference semifinals this spring were further steps toward NHL prominence. "People recognize the talent that you have. So were getting better. Were in a good place," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. Defenceman Clayton Stoner (Anaheim), left wing Matt Moulson (Buffalo) and centre Cody McCormick (Buffalo) departed the Wild as unrestricted free agents. Others in that category not expected back are left wing Dany Heatley and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Defenceman Nate Prosser could return for the right price. The Wild also signed defenceman Stu Bickel (one year) and centre Brett Sutter (two years) to two-way contracts, adding depth with players wholl likely bounce between AHL affiliate Iowa and the parent club. The 27-year-old Sutter, the son of Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter, has played in 54 career NHL games with Calgary and Carolina. Bickel, a native of Chanhassen who played one season for the Gophers, played in 67 games for the New York Rangers over a two-year span. He spent last season in the AHL. ___ AP Sports Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, contributed to this report. Wholesale Atlanta Falcons Jerseys . - No matter the lineup or location, the San Antonio Spurs are rolling through the NBA again this spring, just the way they have for most of the last two decades. Atlanta Falcons Jerseys 2018 . Louis Cardinals for the National League Wild Card, are in the drivers seat as they open the final series of the regular season, but they face a large task in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies. http://www.cheapfalconsjerseysauthentic.com/ . The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. By releasing Bailey, the Broncos would open up cap space with the 12-time Pro Bowl player scheduled to make around $10 million next season.CONCORD, N.C. - Hendrick Motorsports announced a three-year contract extension Thursday that keeps Kasey Kahne in the No. 5 Chevrolet through the 2018 Sprint Cup season.The deal removes Kahne from the free-agent market and raises questions about where Rick Hendrick plans to put Nationwide Series champion Chase Elliott in his stacked lineup. Kahnes current contract expired after next season, and many believed hed have to improve his results to remain with the organization.Hendrick is making changes to help Kahne, who needed a late win at Atlanta in August to make the 16-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. He was eliminated from the Chase after the second round and finished 15th in the final standings.HMS this week said Keith Rodden, a longtime engineer on Kahnes team, was returning to the organization as crew chief of the No. 5 car. Kenny Francis, who had been crew chief for Kahne since the final race of the 2005 season — the second-longest active driver/crew chief pairing in the Cup Series — was moved into a design and development role for the entire organization.Ive found a home at Hendrick Motorsports, said Kahne, who signed with HMS in 2010 for a deal that began with the 2012 season. Its the right place for me, and Im looking forward to being here for a long time.But it puts Hendrick in a bind with Elliott, the 18-year-old phenom who won NASCARs second-tier series championship in his first season competing at the national level. Elliott won the title driving for JR Motorsports, which is co-owned by Hendrick driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., his sister, Kelley, and Rick Hendrick.Earnhardt has said the team has no plans to move up to the Sprint Cup Seeries, and Hendrick has only said the immediate future for Elliott is a second season with JRM. Authentic Foyesade Oluokun Jersey. Hendrick fields the NASCAR-maximum four cars in Cup for Earnhardt, Kahne, six-time champion Jimmie Johnson and four-time champion Jeff Gordon. Although Gordon has hinted that retirement is coming, he said in a Twitter chat Wednesday its currently not on my radar.Johnson, at a Thursday event for the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, said hes working on an extension for his contract, which expires in 2015 and that Elliott was not a candidate for his No. 48 seat.I think someone else is in line for retirement before me, he joked of Gordon.Hendrick Motorsports general manager Doug Duchardt said Thursday on Sirius XM that Elliott will run a handful of Cup races next season — thats allowed under NASCAR rules — but ducked a question on where hell eventually land. He likened Elliott to a Triple A prospect in baseball and the pressure to bring him up to the big leagues.I understand its part of the fun and speculation of what could or should be done. I completely understand it, Duchardt said. Were going to try to make sure we put him in the best position to be successful when he does come here full-time.Kahne, meanwhile, has ranked among the top 10 drivers the last three seasons in Sprint Cup wins (five), pole positions (four), top-five finishes (26) and laps led (1,177). He has 17 career Cup wins and has three consecutive berths in the Chase.I think the world of him both as a driver with championship-level talent and an overall terrific young man, Hendrick said. Were committed to winning races and competing for titles with him for many years to come. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '