GoneWild Mailbag: Your Deadline Trade Ideas for the Minnesota Wild!

You pitched, We listened. Here are our thoughts on potential trades the Minnesota Wild could make. And some, in retrospect, probably need a time machine to be possible.

On Monday, I addressed the idea that Minnesota and Toronto could be potential trade partners. There has been plenty of speculation that the Maple Leafs would consider Matt Dumba as an option at the deadline, but Bill Guerin has publicly listed his demands: first-round pick and a top-six center.

The issue: Toronto doesn’t have their first-round pick and they won’t part with either of their top two line centers Auston Matthews and John Tavares. Their third line center is someone that the Wild aren’t interested in Jason Spezza. Older, not that fast, Spezza has publicly stated that he wants to finish his career in Toronto.

We address my initial trade idea later. It’s what we call a teaser.

The Trades That Are No Longer Possible

So the Wild traded Jason Zucker on Tuesday to Pittsburgh. Several pitches included trading Zucker. We aren’t going to ignore those ideas, especially because we appreciate you being involved with us. So here they are:

Zucker and Dumba to Carolina

From GonePuckWild’s own, Brandon Quast:

So there are a couple of quick issues. #1 It’s unlikely to happen, Suzuki and Bean are Carolina’s top two prospects, as ranked by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler (subscription required). #2 Carolina wouldn’t be cap compliant.

So, we messed with it a bit. We removed Suzuki, Carolina’s top prospect, and tacked on Erik Haula and Martin Necas. For Minnesota, we replaced the now departed Jason Zucker with Ryan Donato.

Unsure if Carolina would say yes. Necas looks legit and I doubt they want to part with the combination of Bean, Haula, and Necas. Could maybe substitute Bean with either of the first-round picks they own in the 2020 draft. Even still, probably too steep.

Zucker and Stalock to Pittsburgh

Cam Hall pitched this idea:

So Cam predicted the right team but gave up a little bit extra to get their Stanley Cup Winning Goaltender and Nick Bjugstad. Herein lies the issue: Bjugstad is on IR. So, he wouldn’t be immediately impactful for the Wild and has one additional year on his contract than Alex Galchenyuk, who the Wild ended up getting partially.

The trade would be approved by the League, but I doubt the Wild would trade for a player that’s currently on IR. Plus, with Galchenyuk, his contract is done at the end of the season, so the Wild will have some available cap space to use in Free Agency.

Zucker to Pittsburgh for… Wait. This Looks Familiar.

The Jokester, Mr. Quast, pitched this idea the day after Jason Zucker was traded. Funny guy

https://twitter.com/quastgonewild/status/1227253429686407168

We’ve discussed the trade-in depth here, give it a read it!

Trade That are Still Possible

Brodin and a 2021 2nd Round Pick to Buffalo

Elan noted that Buffalo has to be desperate with how their promising start has turned into a disappointment in a hurry. They need defensive help, so he proposed Buffalo and a 2nd to Buffalo for Sam Reinhart.

The League would approve the trade, but Buffalo already has eight defensemen, so I would have to imagine that they would want to ship out a defenseman with Reinhart. Minnesota likely doesn’t want to acquire any of their d-men, all have largely big contracts, and Buffalo would want more for the add-ons. Perhaps Minnesota could tack on someone like Donato or Rask, but still unlikely. Reinhart is one of the few highlights on that Sabres squad that isn’t named Jack Eichel or Rasmus Dahlin, so they likely want a lot.

Victor Rask and Carson Soucy to Nashville

Hockey Dude MN Wild proposed this idea:

While the League would approve this trade, Nashville would probably laugh that offer off. Granlund is finally producing in Nashville and Victor Rask hasn’t been a factor for the Wild. The value would likely come from Carson Soucy, but still, not nearly enough.

As a note, Victor Rask hasn’t played a game since February 1st, the first game after the All-Star break and Bye Week, the 6-1 loss to Boston.

Parise and Dumba to Toronto

Rick proposed a trade that would likely set the League on fire.

Now, it has been reported that Parise would consider waiving his no-move, as recently as last offseason, but I believe under new management and the promising prospects on the way, the Wild wouldn’t be willing to put themselves in Cap Recapture danger by moving Parise.

Further, the trade would put the Leafs over the 23-man roster limit, so they would have to send someone back with Marner, like Aberg or Marincin.

Also, I just don’t believe that the Leafs are going to move Marner during this contract.

My Trade Idea

The trade proposal that started it all. I originally pitched this idea:

Now, it got criticism because the Wild weren’t going to get enough value back for Dumba, which in fairness, is likely true. I pitched it because Kerfoot is like Kunin in playstyle and ability: both can play center or wing, and both are gritty forwards. Play with a strong edge in their game.

I tacked on Barrie to balance cap, plus he’s on an expiring contract, gives the Wild $5.5m to spend in the offseason if they elect to not resign Barrie. Engvall has been an exciting young winger, and because the Leafs won’t likely have their first-round pick this season (Carolina owns it unless it’s a top 10 pick), younger players would have to be used as a substitute.

As a revision, I added on Donato for the Wild and Nick Robertson for the Leafs. Robertson had a dominant World Juniors for the United States and could make departing with Dumba more fathomable.

Would either side take this deal? I have no clue. Leafs might feel like they are giving up too much youth and a defenseman that has been fine for them this season, and the Wild are only getting one (potential) center in the deal, Kerfoot. His faceoffs aren’t great (48.3%), but has an xGF% of 52.4%. So, yeah. I have no idea if either team would say yes, which could mean, it’s a decent deal.

Anymore trade ideas? What do you think of the proposed ideas? Leave a comment or reply to our tweet with your thoughts or more ideas!