Tools » the case and Gagne was awarded his third

MINNEAPOLIS -- Matt Cassel was one day away from hitting the free agent market and fielding offers from other suitors. Then the Minnesota Vikings swooped in at the last minute. The Vikings agreed to terms with Cassel on Friday on a deal that will keep him in Minnesota, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because an official announcement had not been made. Terms of the deal, which was first reported by NFL Network, were not immediately available. The move helps solidify the Vikings shaky quarterback situation. The team used a musical chairs approach to the position last season, rotating Christian Ponder and Cassel, and even starting Josh Freeman for one game during a miserable 5-10-1 season. Cassel was by far the most effective of the three, going 3-3 in his six starts and being on the field at the end of all five of the teams victories. He completed 60.2 per cent of his passes for 1,807 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions after signing as a free agent from the Kansas City Chiefs. But he opted out of the final year of his two-year deal in February, and there was concern Cassel would choose to move to another team after he was forced to split time with the ineffective Ponder. New head coach Mike Zimmer said Thursday he "would love to have Matt Cassel back if Matt Cassel wants to be back." But the coach was also bracing for the likelihood Cassel would at least test free agency before giving the Vikings an answer. "Hes got a bunch of pretty girls looking at him right now," Zimmer said then. "And he wants to explore and see whats best for him. I dont blame any of these guys. In free agency, I think thats why they have the rules is that they get a chance to go see what their markets worth. Then if they find a better situation than what they think is here, then I think thats everywhere." It appears Cassel knew where he wanted to be all along. Cassels familiarity with the teams offensive players -- Adrian Peterson, Greg Jennings, Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Rudolph among them -- and the way the team responded to Cassels leadership on the field were among the big reasons the Vikings wanted him back. The agreement would appear to make Cassel the front-runner to be the starter when the 2014 season opens with new offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner calling the plays. Ponder is still on the roster, but his performance over his first three seasons has inspired little confidence among his teammates. The Vikings have the eighth overall pick in the upcoming draft, and there remains a strong possibility they will select someone to be the teams quarterback of the future. But keeping Cassel in the fold will reduce the pressure on the team to start a rookie. "It all depends, but what I want to do is play the best guy," Zimmer said. 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This remedial statistical method has gone 9-5 in picks through the first three rounds. Bobby Hull Jersey . -- Phil Mickelson came to the St.Glendale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Brad Marchand scored twice to lead the Boston Bruins in a 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Simon Gagne, Loui Eriksson and Kevan Miller all scored for the Bruins, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Tuukka Rask allowed two goals on 26 shots in the win. We definitely didnt want to go home without getting a point on this road trip, said Marchand. Joe Vitale and Mikkel Boedker lit the lamp for the Coyotes, who have lost six of their last seven. Devan Dubnyk was tagged for four goals on 24 shots while Mike Smith stopped 8-of-9 in relief. We need our goaltenders to clean up a little more, Arizona head coach Dave Tippett said. The first goal came just 58 seconds in as a turnover in the neutral zone led to a rush down the other way, with Marchand finishing it off on a wrister from the left circle. Bostons second goal came off a turnover as well, as a Dubnyk clearing attempt was picked off by Miller along the boards. His first shot was blocked in front, but he picked it up again annd buried the second chance at 5:58 of the first.dddddddddddd Arizona got one back on Vitales wrister from the right wing on a rush play at 13:11 of the first. Boston, though, put the game away in the second with three goals. The first came at 8:34 as Gagne tipped in a Daniel Paille shot. The goal was initially waived off as it was thought Gagne kicked it in, but a review determined that wasnt of the year. It was a 4-1 game six minutes later as Marchand finished off a 2-on-1 break with a wrister from the left wing for his eighth of the year, and Eriksson put home a rebound in the final minute of the frame for a power-play goal. Boedker scored his ninth of the year on the power play at 5:41 of the third to account for the final score. Game Notes Boston returns home to face Chicago on Thursday ... Arizona hosts Nashville on Thursday ... Boston has won five straight against Arizona ... Boston went 1- for-2 on the power play and Arizona was 1-for-4. ' ' '