Wild re-sign four restricted FAs, leaving only James Sheppard unsigned

Four restricted free agents agreed to terms with the Minnesota Wild before Friday's deadline, leaving only one unsigned.

Defensemen Justin Falk and Justin Penner and forwards Jarod Palmer and Casey Wellman all signed one-year, two-way contracts, the team announced.

James Sheppard, who missed last season because of a fractured patella suffered in an ATV accident, is the lone restricted free agent who hasn't agreed to terms.

The deadline for players to accept their offers was 4 p.m. Friday.

Falk, 22, had three goals, 11 assists, 41 penalty minutes and a team-best plus-16 rating in 55 games last season with the American Hockey League's Houston Aeros. He also appeared in 22 games with the Wild, tallying three assists.

Palmer, 25, had nine goals, 19 assists, 64 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating in 65 games last season with Houston.

Penner, 24, had four assists in 10 games with Houston after the Wild acquired him from the Boston Bruins in the Anton Khudobin trade on Feb. 28.

Wellman, 23, had 14 goals and 21 assists in 42 games with Houston. He also appeared in 15 games with the Wild, tallying a goal and an assist.

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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