The Minnesota Wild has been doing everything they can to try and strengthen the team’s depth throughout but focusing mainly in the middle. General Manager Chuck Fletcher has done a good job indeed by doing so when he locked in Mikko Koivu, the team’s franchise player, for seven years. He went on to lure in free agent Matt Cullen. He didn’t stop there though….

Friday, the Minnesota Wild made an announcement that they had added veteran center John Madden to their highly talented and experienced lineup for the 2010-2011 NHL season. The contract is for a single year, is said to be worth $1 million, and has a potential of $250,000 in bonuses.

Madden, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, is known for his defensive and faceoff techniques and specialties. Last season, Madden played with the Chicago Blackhawks and recorded 10 goals as well as 23 points within the 79 regular season appearances that he made. In the 22 playoff appearances, Madden recorded a single goal as well as a single assist.

Before last season with Chicago, the center was with the New Jersey Devils for 10 NHL seasons, where he helped acquire two Stanley Cups in 2000 as well as 2003. The Devils initially acquired Madden in June of 1997 as an undrafted free agent. Now, coming off of his third Stanley Cup with Chicago, Minnesota is hoping that Madden can help the Wild to the top and claim a Stanley Cup themselves.

For his career, Madden has recorded 150 goals as well as 320 points during 791 regular season appearances. Further, he has recorded 21 goals as well as 43 points during 134 playoff appearances. Not bad totals so let’s hope that this veteran center can help give Minnesota a good name this year.

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