Minnesota Wild Trade Targets: Forwards
Earlier I took a look at Minnesota Wild trade targets on defense. Now it’s time to delve into the pool of forwards that may be on the move.
The March 2 National Hockey League trade deadline is approaching, and the Wild are just outside of a playoff spot.
Recently forwards Ryan Carter and Jason Zucker were sidelined with injuries. Carter is expected to be out for a month, and Zucker joins winger Matt Cooke as players that are likely done for the season.
This creates a vacancy on the penalty kill and depletes some of Minnesota’s scoring depth.
A number of players will be available, if the price is right, that can address these needs. Here is a list of forwards that you should keep an eye on as the deadline approaches.
Dec 13, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Sean Bergenheim (20) brings the puck into the Buffalo Sabres zone during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Bergenheim, left wing
5’10’, 205 lbs
February 8, 1984
Average Annual Value: $2,750,000
A Sean Bergenheim trade seems imminent. He was scratched from the Florida Panthers’ lineup again Sunday. George Richards of the Miami Herald reported Bergenheim and his agent have requested a trade out of Miami.
Bergenheim is a bottom-six winger with strong two-way play and an ability to chip in offensively. During the Tampa Bay Lightning’s run to the conference finals in 2011 he racked up nine goals in 16 games (along with two assists). The next year he played seven playoff games with the Panthers and posted three goals and three assists.
At 31 years of age, Bergenheim is still effective according to possession stats. He ranks second on the Panthers in average shot attempts per 60 minutes of play.
Gone Puck Wild’s editor Dustin Nelson wrote about how Bergenheim has been one of Florida’s better possession players based on Usage-Adjusted Corsi.
Bergenheim also happens to be from Finland. An origin that hasn’t traditionally been a deterrent for the Wild brass.
Jan 18, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; AArizona Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette (50) prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Antoine Vermette, center
6’1”, 198 lbs
July 20, 1982
Average Annual Value: $3,750,000
Antoine Vermette is well established as a two-way forward with skill and aptitude on the penalty kill. With over 800 games to his name, he can provide leadership, secondary scoring, and the size/skill element that is so crucial in the western conference.
As far as points go, he hasn’t performed much in the playoffs, with nine goals and nine assists in 58 career playoff games. He’s also a minus-20 this year, but that is with an Arizona Coyotes squad that has been dismal this year.
The native of St. Agapit, Québec has a 56.1 faceoff percentage on the season. Minnesota has a history of going for guys strong in the faceoff circle over the last few years. They acquired Zenon Konopka for the 2012-13 season, and signed David Steckel to a professional tryout prior to the 2013-14 season. And my mom thinks he’s good looking… so there’s that.
Feb 16, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center David Legwand (17) faces off against Carolina Hurricanes center Jay McClement (18) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Jay McClement, center
6’1”, 205 lbs
March 2, 1983
Average Annual Value: $1,000,000
Another faceoff specialist, Jay McClement will likely have a new team come the post-deadline portion of the season. A move to a contending team might be a bit of a birthday present for McClement, who turns 32 on March 2.
McClement would play on the fourth line with the Wild. But an acquisition of a center such as McClement would give Minnesota the freedom to move Kyle Brodziak. Brodziak has come up in trade rumors for awhile now, but could be moved as he is in the final year of his contract.
McClement also can fill holes in the penalty kill left by the vacancies of Carter and Cooke.
Feb 17, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Islanders goalie Chan Johnson (30) stops the shot by Carolina Hurricanes forward Jiri Tlusty (19) during the 2nd period at PNC Arena. The New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jiri Tlusty, left wing
6’0”, 209 lbs
March 16, 1988
Average Annual Value: $2,950,000
Jiri Tlusty can provide good scoring depth for a team making a run for, and in, the playoffs. His best season was the lockout-shortened 2012-13, where he tallied 38 points (23 goals, 15 assists) in 48 games.
He would be more of a Zucker replacement (despite the disparity in speed) than a Cooke/Carter penalty-killing fill-in.
The price for Tlusty is probably pretty high, especially as a rental. But should General Manager Chuck Fletcher get creative, he could add essential scoring depth to the Wild lineup.
Feb 10, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Chris Stewart (80) skates with the puck as Ottawa Senators center Mika Zibanejad (93) chases during the second period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Stewart, right wing
6’2”, 231 lbs
October 30, 1987
Average Annual Value: $4,150,000
Chris Stewart really burst onto the NHL scene when he had 64 points in his sophomore season in 2009-10 with the Colorado Avalanche. Now with the Buffalo Sabres he owns a league-worst minus-30 this season.
It will be a gamble, but the only way to find out whether Stewart’s play is a reflection of the team around him and whether he can bounce back to his old form will be via trade.
His combination of size and scoring ability could provide a major boost to a team in the playoffs. Especially in the west.
Jan 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Erik Cole (72) skates against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Dallas Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 7-1. Cole has goal and assist. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Cole, left wing
6’2”, 205 lbs
November 6, 1978
Average Annual Value: $4,500,000
Erik Cole can bring speed, size, and a good shot to a team. Now 36 years old, his impact on the ice is declining. But he can still score.
You should click here to see what Dustin Nelson wrote about what acquiring Cole might do for a team. Just the Coles Notes include that his zone starts have been more frequently in the offensive zone recently, which helps mitigate regression in his production. His possession numbers aren’t strong either, and haven’t been over the last few years.
A Cole trade probably won’t happen until closer to the deadline, as the Stars try to determine whether they can make the postseason. One thing that might make all fringe teams turn into sellers is that all non-playoff teams have a chance at winning the Connor McDavid lottery. Should he get moved, he’ll provide some scoring depth and leadership for his new team.
Feb 3, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Martin Erat (10) looks to pass against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Arizona beat Columbus 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Martin Erat, left wing
6’0”, 195 lbs
August 29, 1981
Average Annual Value: $4,500,000
Martin Erat could be one of several pieces to leave Arizona before the deadline. He can bring good two-way play and secondary scoring to wherever he might get traded. The Czech winger was once a seventh-round selection, but he’s hit 49 or more points eight times in his career.
The price for Erat just might be lower than it was two years ago, when he was shipped from Nashville to Washington in exchange for Filip Forsberg.
Jan 21, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Daniel Winnik (26) skates with the puck in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel Winnik, center
6’2, 210 lbs
March 6, 1985
Average Annual Value: $1,300,000
Daniel Winnik could be a good addition for a team looking for depth up front and help on the penalty kill. He’s got 24 points in 58 games this season, so he can contribute a little offense. His biggest quantifiable asset is his 3:27 average short-handed time on ice per game. A number that leads all NHL forwards.
He’s one of several players that may leave Toronto as the Maple Leafs are on the brink of retooling their roster.
Feb 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) goes to take a shot against the Edmonton Oilers at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Edmonton 5-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Kessel, right wing
6’0”, 202 lbs
October 2, 1987
Average Annual Value: $8,000,000
Phil Kessel is anther member of the Leafs that could wind up elsewhere this season. He’s a proven goal-scorer, and can distribute the puck too.
With 244 goals and 263 assists in 507 career games, there’s no disputing his offensive ability. But like many snipers, he can be streaky. His defensive play is shaky at times too. He would be a huge asset for a team looking to add some real speed and goal-scoring to its look.
Kessel back in Minnesota (where he played college hockey) wouldn’t have the media circus to deal with that he has in Toronto, and he wouldn’t have to be the go-to guy, with plenty of other scoring options on the roster.
The price for Kessel would be very high, and Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis doesn’t need to lower it as he could wait until the offseason to move Kessel. After this season, he’ll still have seven years left on his 64-million dollar contract (an eight-year extension he signed in October, 2013).
Jan 9, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Jaromir Jagr (68) battles for the puck with New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen (51) during the first period at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jaromir Jagr, right wing
6’3”, 240 lbs
February 15, 1972
Average Annual Value: $5,500,000
At 43, Jaromir Jagr is still an offensive force on the ice. The mullet may be gone, but he’s still got moves reminiscent of some guy that sings in a band call The Rolling Stones. Not as fast as he was in years past, he still gets around the ice well for a guy that is 240 pounds. I guess that can be attributed to most of that weight being in his legs.
He’s got over 700 career goals and over 1000 career assists. The New Jersey Devils aren’t too close to the playoffs, so Jagr, who’s on a one-year deal, is trade bait.