Frédérick Gaudreau is in Minnesota to stay. The Quebecer has agreed to the terms of a new five-year, $10.5 million deal with the Wild.

The 29-year-old forward will pocket $2.1 million annually until the 2027-28 season. That’s an increase of nearly a million a year from his last contract, which expires this season.

Frédérick Gaudreau is one of the great stories of the NHL. The Bromontois has not always had it easy. Never drafted, he played four seasons in the American League before playing a full campaign on the Bettman circuit in 2018-2019, with the Nashville Predators. The following year, he returned to the American League.

That season allowed him to sign a one-year contract with the Penguins in 2020 and arrive in Pittsburgh “more confident.” More “himself”, that is to say “more versatile and complete than strictly defensive”, he explained to La Presse last October.

As part of Sidney Crosby’s roster, Gaudreau had 10 points in 19 games, earning him a contract with the Wild the following year. Last year, his patience and effort finally paid off; he had 44 points in 76 games with the Wild, which was by far his best offensive output of his career.

This season, Gaudreau has a record of 17 goals and 36 points in 81 games. He is the sixth best scorer on his team. That’s not to mention his 52 blocked shots.