The Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens have completed a one-for-one trade on the eve of the hockey season. The deal sees Will Bitten arrive in Minnesota with Gustav Olofsson headed the other way.
This is a deal that may eventually swing in the Minnesota Wild’s favour; whilst Gustav Olofsson was able to step up to the NHL level now, Will Bitten gives them a little more offensive depth in their pipeline.
Will Bitten arrives with the Iowa Wild with three fifty-points plus seasons in the OHL on his resume and based on his showing at the Rookie Tournament, looks to be evolving into quite a decent player.
The Canadian-born youngster is also only twenty years old, so has plenty of room for further development.
He has play-making prowess, creating offensive plays but also has a two-way element to his game, chasing down pucks and causing turnovers. Roughly what we have come to expect from these slightly smaller-built wingers that are proving more and more popular in the big-time.
Gustav Olofsson, on the other hand, found himself on the outside looking in such is the defensive log-jam for the Minnesota Wild.
At one point, he was rightfully viewed as almost a lock to make the NHL roster full-time for the Minnestoa Wild, but fact is, the team has a fair bit of depth and strength on defense already.
This trade, to my thinking, leans more favourably towards the Minnesota Wild. They’ve managed to grab a young guy with plenty of untapped potential.
He fills a positional need in their system; there is a glut of offensive talent there compared to the defensive depth.
And frankly, Gustav Olofsson may have gone as far as just potential was going to get him with the Minnesota Wild.
Heading East to Montreal may be a blessing in disguise; the Montreal Canadiens are a team looking to get younger, it’d seem, and maybe that’s where he can fit in and shine.
All in all, I’m quite happy with the return on this trade.