The Chicago Blackhawks Lose a Heavy hitter to the Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild are exploring options to bolster their forward depth, particularly for the upcoming training camp. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet has reported that discussions are underway with veteran forward Jujhar Khaira. The nature of the agreement, whether it will be a professional tryout (PTO) or a full contract, is yet to be determined.

Khaira, 29, spent the previous season with the Chicago Blackhawks, playing on the final year of a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $975,000. During his time in Chicago, he appeared in 51 games but faced a setback with a back injury that caused him to miss over two months of play. This injury came after he had already missed 43 games in the previous season due to back troubles. Despite these challenges, Khaira's production in the 2022-2023 season was his best since the 2018-2019 campaign. He contributed six goals and eight assists while averaging just under 14 minutes of ice time per game.

Khaira's NHL career has spanned parts of eight seasons, with the majority of his time spent with the Edmonton Oilers, who drafted him in the third round (63rd overall) in 2012. Over the course of his career, he has accumulated 336 NHL appearances, recording 33 goals, 47 assists, and an impressive 783 hits. His average ice time per game stands at 12 minutes and 37 seconds.

Given the Minnesota Wild's salary cap constraints, it's likely that any contract Khaira signs will be for the minimum. Khaira's versatility, as he can play all three forward positions and contribute on penalty kills, would provide valuable flexibility to the Wild, especially on the physical fourth line.

The discussions with Jujhar Khaira highlight the Wild's efforts to solidify their roster for the upcoming season and add depth to their forward lines, potentially bringing a seasoned and versatile player into the mix.