Ryan Suter Photo by Bridget Samuels/ Flickr

It’s only fitting that two of the best American born hockey players in the NHL today sign landmark new contracts on the Fourth of July.  The Minnesota Wild have made a huge move in signing both defenseman Ryan Suter AND  left winger Zach Parise.

Rumors were flying that both players could have been headed to big name clubs like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, or Detroit Red Wings. Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch even flew to Suter’s farm yesterday with Ken Holland and Chris Chelios to court him.

Apparently, both players got the same deal: 13 years valued at $98 million dollars. Parise has a full no-movement clause.

The crazy part?  The Wild are still under cap.

We’re waiting to see if Mike Modano announces he wants to come out of retirement to play for the Wild as well. (Totally joking.)