Who Flinches First?: Wild Have Standing Trade Offer for Trocheck

Vincent Trocheck is one of the bigger names available at this season’s trade deadline, and the New York Rangers know he’s going to be a popular player over the next few days. In fact, he’s so high on one team’s radar that the Rangers already got a standing offer from the Minnesota Wild for him. However, right now, they seem to be thinking, ‘Hmm, maybe we should wait and see what more is out there.’

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As per Elliotte Friedman, the Wild really, really like Trocheck. The NHL insider noted on TNT that pretty much everyone thinks Minnesota already told the Rangers, ‘Hey, here’s our offer —we’re ready to trade you these things right now if you say yes.’ In other words, they’ve put their trade offer on the table, and it’s just sitting there waiting.

Now the Rangers have to decide:

• Do they take Minnesota’s offer (which seems solid and ready to go)?
• Or do they keep shopping around to see if another team offers even cooler toys before time runs out?

The Pros and Cons of The Rangers Waiting

The Rangers are essentially holding Trocheck and thinking, “Do we swap with Minnesota today, or wait and maybe get something even better from someone else?” There are a few risks in doing what they’re doing.

While Minnesota is acting like the kid who already said “I’ll trade you my shiny Pokémon for yours” and is waiting patiently… there is only so long the Wild will wait. While the Rangers look for a better deal, Wild GM Bill Guerin will keep looking around the market for other centers. If one pops up, you can be sure it will catch his attention. Eventually, if the Rangers don’t want to do business, Guerin will take his business elsewhere.

Alternatively, the Wild’s offer for Trocheck is probably a solid one. The longer the Rangers wait, one of two things will happen based on supply and demand. If more centers become available, Trocheck’s value will decrease, making it so the Rangers may have to take a lesser return in the trade. If no centers are available because other teams have acquired them, Trocheck becomes the only real option. His price skyrockets. But if it gets too high, the Wild may back away.

It’s a bit of wait and see game, but there are only four more days for these two teams to make their choice. Who flinches first?

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