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Minnesota Wild: Franchise 5 Worst Trades of All-Time

By Cody Defoe

ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 17: A general view of the Xcel Energy Center before Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild on April 17, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 17: A general view of the Xcel Energy Center before Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild on April 17, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Wild
ST. PAUL, MN – FEBRUARY 25: Ryan Smyth #94 of the Edmonton Oilers watches his shot get blocked by Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center on February 25, 2007 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images) /

#4 Dwayne Roloson Traded to Edmonton

In the 2005-06 NHL Season, following the 04-05 NHL Lockout, goaltender Dwayne Roloson was struggling mightily in the net for the Minnesota Wild. One season prior, he had been an NHL All Star and the clear #1 goalie in the Wild goalie tandem.

At the 2006 NHL Trade Deadline, the Edmonton Oilers traded their 1st Round Draft Pick and a future conditional pick to Minnesota for Roloson.

The 1st Round Pick was flipped out of town at the 2006 Draft prior to it’s selection, ultimately becoming forward Trevor Lewis drafted by the Los Angeles Kings. At face value, the Oilers 1st Rounder therefore never played in a Wild jersey and was of no value as far as these rankings go.

The conditional pick became a 3rd Round Pick in the 2007 Entry Draft, but was also traded away prior to the 2006 Draft. It eventually became Spencer Machacek drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers, but again no value to the Minnesota Wild.

Roloson, on the other hand, found his game again and manned the Edmonton crease all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals that season. He would then play another 3 years for the Oilers as the unquestioned starter, keeping the team competitive while masking their overall team deficiencies.

Roloson would continue to be a starter all the way up until his retirement at 42, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning within 1 game (and 1 goal) of the Stanley Cup finals at the ripe age of 41.

It may be a stretch of the imagination, but Dwayne Roloson led 2 different teams on deep playoff runs after leaving Minnesota. Had he stayed, could the Wild have hoisted the Stanley Cup by now? There’s no way to know for sure, but I know the Wild didn’t get nearly enough value out of the pieces Edmonton gave them.

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