Minnesota Wild
Wild Want Top-Six Help, But These Trade Targets Scream Middle-Six
Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin should dream bigger with his trade deadline targets.
The Minnesota Wild already made their big splash this season when they acquired Quinn Hughes. A rash of injuries has them playing .500 hockey over the last 10 games, but they’ve still managed to tie the Dallas Stars for second in the Central Division. While the Wild’s roster is the envy of most teams in the league, general manager Bill Guerin might still have some work to do to improve his squad before the trade deadline.
One issue with the Wild is that their top-six offense doesn’t entirely match up with the Stars and Colorado Avalanche, who they’ll need to beat in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Guerin’s wish is to acquire a top-six center, according to David Pagnotta on today’s DFO Rundown, but the rumored wishlist is concerning at best.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, as a top-six center for the Wild, might not yield the outcome Guerin expects. While the Finnish-born center needs a fresh start, he would have to play miles better than he has this season to make an impact on Minnesota’s roster. While battling injuries this year, Kotkaniemi is on pace for just 15 points in 61 games.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ center also has some concerning playoff history. In 83 career playoff games, he has just 26 points. Experience is one reason to trust that he could figure it out in the playoffs for Minnesota, but it is a massive risk to take for a team that just went all-in to get Quinn Hughes.
Wild’s Trade Targets Who Could Work
Vincent Trocheck could be a solid option for the Wild in a middle-six role. He has been good on a bad New York Rangers team this season, and his last playoff experience in 2023-24 saw him record 20 points in 16 games. He might not be in a stage in his career to anchor a first line in the postseason, but Trocheck would be fine in more limited usage.
The same goes for the other two players mentioned: Ryan O’Reilly and Brayden Schenn. O’Reilly seems like more of a stretch, as the Nashville Predators are attempting to rally over the season’s final 30 games and steal a wild card spot, sitting just three points out.
Schenn was on the trade block last season before the St. Louis Blues started to rally, and they’re back in last place in the Central Division this year. It seems less likely they’ll make a miraculous run this season, which could put St. Louis’ captain back on the market. Schenn is on pace for the least-productive offensive output of his career, but he could be a solid addition to the middle-six for the other elements he brings to the game.
Next: The Quinn Hughes Trade and the Canucks New Future
More News
