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Who Should the Wild Look to Move at the Trade Deadline?

By Jonathan Brill

SAINT PAUL, MN - JANUARY 22: Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild defends Robby Fabbri #14 of the Detroit Red Wings during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on January 22, 2020 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAINT PAUL, MN - JANUARY 22: Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild defends Robby Fabbri #14 of the Detroit Red Wings during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on January 22, 2020 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Mid-way through the bye week, the Minnesota Wild find themselves five points out of the Wildcard that’s currently held by Vegas and Arizona at 57 points.  The month of February will be a great challenge for the Wild. Who might be on the move?  Here are Five Possibilities

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JANUARY 25: Eric Staal #12 of the Minnesota Wild skates in the game between Pacific Division and Central Division during the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Enterprise Center on January 25, 2020, in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JANUARY 25: Eric Staal #12 of the Minnesota Wild skates in the game between Pacific Division and Central Division during the 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Enterprise Center on January 25, 2020, in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Wild are slated for 12 games leading up to the 2020 NHL trade deadline.  Of those 12 games, nine will be played against teams currently holding a spot in the playoffs.  In true Minnesota Wild fashion, I could see this team play lights out in February, and seemingly handcuff General Manager Bill Guerin.  Do I think the team is competitive enough to challenge these teams in February? Of course, but I think we all understand that this core isn’t going to bring Lord Stanley to Tom Reid’s Pub on 7th Street.  It would be in the Wild’s best interest to look to build for the future in hopes that some of our younger prospects can make an impact down the road.

Jonas Brodin

DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 27: Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center on December 27, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. The Wild defeated the Avalanche 6-4. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 27: Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Jonas Brodin #25 of the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center on December 27, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. The Wild defeated the Avalanche 6-4. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The first player the Wild should look at trading is left-handed defenseman, Jonas Brodin.  Arguably Brodin could get the biggest return out of the five players.  Brodin is one of the better skaters in the league, and when it comes down to winning games in April and May, you want a strong defensively minded player that can get your club out of a jam.  That is exactly what Brodin is.  His play inside of his zone is concise and to the point.  Brodin rarely makes mistakes in his zone, and often gets the Wild out of trouble.  Per CapFriendly, Brodin carries a 4.16 million dollar hit this season and next.  Currently at the age of 26, Brodin will look for term and most likely a raise on his next contract.  I think right now Brodin’s value is probably at its peak.  I think the Wild could easily get a first-round pick and notable prospect or two for the Swedish born defenseman.

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