The deal is worth $775,000 in the NHL and $125,000 in the minors.

The 24-year-old Walker played in four games with the Wild last season, as well as 70 regular-season games with their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. In the minors, the 5-foot-11 forward scored 14 goals and 31 assists for 45 points, including three power-play goals and three game-winning goals on 176 shots. He led Iowa in points, assists and shots in 2023-24.

The Edina, Minn., native has spent two seasons playing professional hockey, recording 41 goals and 52 assists for 93 points, 12 power-play goals and 294 shots in 126 career AHL regular-season games. He’s also played 13 NHL regular-season games, all with Minnesota.

He scored his first-career NHL goal in December 2022 aagainst the Winnipeg Jets, potting an empty-netter to seal a 4-1 win.

FIRST NHL GOAL FOR SAMMY WALKER!!#MNWILD | @walker_sammy10 pic.twitter.com/z1MuZzq5Iu

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) December 28, 2022

Before turning professional, Walker spent four seasons playing for the Minnesota Gophers in the NCAA. He scored 48 goals and 64 assists for 112 points and 81 penalty minutes in 144 games while at the University of Minnesota, and served as team captain during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

Originally taken in the seventh round (200th overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Walker declined to sign with the club and wound up staying in his home state, signing a two-year, entry-level deal ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Minnesota finished the 2023-24 regular season with a 39-33-10 record and 87 points, sixth in the Central Division and 11 points back of the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.