We were fortunate to sign both Zach and Ryan. Looking back now, in hindsight with a year removed, I can't even say how lucky we are that we did sign them. You hear horror stories of all these big free-agent signings that don't pan out, and we signed arguably the best defenseman in the League and one of the best goal scorers in the League. Both players lived up to expectations. They're great people."

-Minnesota Wild GM Cliff Fletcher. More on the Wild from Brian Compton of NHL.com.