Potential Trade Targets For The Minnesota Wild On Defense
The Minnesota Wild are playing good hockey again.
The addition of Devan Dubnyk has reinvigorated the team, as the Wild is pushing back towards playoff spot. With the National Hockey League trade deadline coming up on March 2, there are some defensemen near the end of their contracts that could be changing locations.
A lot of teams are looking for defensive depth as the postseason approaches, which will up the price for acquisitions at the point. Here, Lyle Richardson of The Hockey News writes about who the Detroit Red Wings may target. They, like the Wild, could also use an offensive, right-handed d-man.
Here are a few blue-liners to keep an eye on.
Stay tuned in the coming days for the list of forwards to watch.
Nov 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) with the puck during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Green, shoots right
6’1”, 208lbs
October 12, 1985
$6,083,333, last year under contract
Mike Green may not be producing at a point-per-game pace anymore, but he is still a big threat from the blue line.
Twenty-nine years old, and on the final year of his contract with the Washington Capitals, the 6’1” defenseman has five goals and 27 assists in 44 games this season.
Green, with two 70+ point seasons under his belt, fits in with Minnesota’s need for an upper-pairing right shot that can play powerplay minutes. These are the very things that make him expendable in Washington, as they have Matt Niskanen and John Carlson filling those roles.
It seems likely Green will be shipped out of Washington, as they get something in return for a player that would be too costly to bring back (considering their depth on defense).
Jan 20, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) plays with a split lip after taking a puck to the face against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Marc Methot, shoots left
6’3”, 231 lbs
June 21, 1985
Average Annual Value: $3,000,000, last year under contract
On paper, Marc Methot is a good fit for the Wild. Methot has never put up many points, with his 23 last season being his career-high (including his time in the Ontario Hockey League). But he is big, and reliable defensively.
If Minnesota looks to make a playoff push this year (should they make it into the postseason), they need size on the back end. Teams like Anaheim and St. Louis play a grueling style that can walk over smaller teams.
Methot also fills the need Minnesota has for a left-handed shot on the bottom pairing. They have frequently been using right-handed defensemen playing on their offside. This makes it that much harder to breakout from the defensive zone while under pressure from a fast forecheck.
With Ottawa on the outside looking in, they will conceivably be sellers at the deadline.
Dec 31, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jeff Petry (2) skates against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Petry, shoots right
6’3”, 196 lbs
December 9, 1987
Average Annual Value: $3,075,000, last year under contract
Jeff Petry is a 27-year-old right-handed defenseman that could be a valuable addition for a team’s playoff push/run.
Petry has a modest 11 points in 51 games this season and plays both powerplay and penalty kill minutes. He has the combination of skating well with a large frame. He would likely be a second or third-pairing defenseman with the Wild.
That Petry is a -23 this season shouldn’t be taken too seriously, as he is surrounded by a young group in Edmonton that has struggled mightily.
Dec 29, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) shoots the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Cody Franson, shoots right
6’5”, 213 lbs
August 8, 1987
Average Annual Value: $3,000,000, last year under contract
Cody Franson is big, and great at manning the powerplay. He’s got an elite shot.
His work in the defensive zone is suspicious at times, and he’s not the fleetest of foot, but would give the Wild the size it needs in a physical western conference, and a boost on the powerplay.
The Toronto Maples Leafs appear to be in need of a roster overhaul. Franson could be a player that gets moved, though the price would likely be high.
Jan 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Andrej Sekera (4) takes a shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Carolina defeated Toronto 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Andrej Sekera, shoots left
6’0”, 200 lbs
July 8, 1986
Average Annual Value: $2,750,000, last year under contract
Andrej Sekera is a left-handed defenseman with lots of offensive upside. The 28-year-old put up 44 points last season, while averaging 23:40 minutes per game.
He wouldn’t fit Minnesota’s need for an offensive right-handed shot, or a physical lefty for the bottom pairing. He does carry a bargain cap hit for his output and could be a big addition to any team looking to make a run this season.
Carolina is in a position to retool for the future, and Sekera could be on the move. In the final year of his contract, he could quietly bring a nice return to the Hurricanes.
Feb 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek (4) skates with the puck against Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Zbynek Michalek, shoots right
6’2″, 210 lbs
December 23, 1982
Average Annual Value: $4,000,000, last year under contract
Zbynek Michalek made his NHL debut with Minnesota during the 2003-04 season. He then spent five seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes before going to Pittsburgh. After two season with the Penguins, he returned to the ‘Yotes. It’s possible he will make it a round-trip this season, should the Wild go after him.
Michalek plays a defensively-sound game, and has some offensive ability. He is a veteran that can add to the bottom or top of a team’s defensive corps. With Arizona ready to overhaul their roster, expect Michalek to go somewhere.
Nov 2, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Andrej Meszaros (41) during the game against the Detroit Red Wings at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Andrej Meszaros, shoots left
6’2″, 223 lbs
October 13, 1985
Average Annual Value: $4,125,000
Andrej Meszaros is averaging 17:50 of ice time with the Buffalo Sabres, and only holds a minus-11 in 34 games this season.
He’s got only one goal and five assists in those 34 games, but is a veteran defenseman that provides stable defense and makes good breakout passes. He’s got the size and the left-handed shot that could make him a good fit for Minnesota.
With Petry likely leaving the Oilers, a Meszaros departure is important for the Sabres in their quest for Connor McDavid.
That’s definitely nothing that would cross the mind of Sabres’ general manager Tim Murray, but it does seem like there are a lot of defensemen available that would suit the needs of the Wild.