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Wild extend captain Mikko Koivu’s contract for two years, $11M

Minnesota Wild v Arizona Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 08: Mikko Koivu #9 of the Minnesota Wild awaits a face off against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on April 8, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Wild defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Minnesota Wild fans fearing that the 2017-18 season could be Mikko Koivu’s last can breathe a sigh of relief, and that suspense didn’t even carry into opening night.

Instead, the Wild signed Koivu to a two-year contract extension worth $11 million.

That $5.5M cap hit kicks in during the 2018-19 campaign and ends after 2019-20. It represents a minor cut in pay for Koivu, as he’s entering the final year of a deal with a $6.75M cap hit.

Koivu, 34, enjoyed a strong first season under Bruce Boudreau, becoming a Selke finalist for the first time in his underrated career. He’s been Minnesota’s captain since 2008-09.

Koivu’s deal would qualify as a 35+ contract, according to Cap Friendly.

The Finnish forward likely valued stability, maybe taking a little less in AAV for the sake of peace of mind.

This continues a busy week-or-so for the Wild, who also broke their impasse with RFA Marcus Foligno by handing him a four-year, $11.5M deal.

Opinion: this Koivu deal is a much, much easier decision to justify, even taking into account his advanced age.