Breaking Down Your Minnesota Wild Trade Proposals

It is officially the offseason, is there a better way to start it then having you all send in a bunch of mock trades?

DISCLAIMER: These trade proposals were sourced prior to the draft, so some pieces have been used (draft picks) or moved (Luke Kunin).

Here is the list of eight mock trades that were submitted and I am not surprised that most include Matt Dumba. He is the Wild’s biggest asset in retrieving a top-six center. His defensive partner Jonas Brodin signed a seven-year extension which is just another hint to the Wild shipping out the 26-year-old right-shot defenseman.

Let’s dive in.

Trade #1

Here’s the deal, the Wild need a center in return. If the Wild were to accept a trade for something other than a center, it would have to be for an elite winger or a bunch of futures.

Matt Dumba should be a hot commodity, he is 26 with term and on a team-friendly contract for a player destined to break out sooner rather than later. We already saw a glimpse of his future when he led the league in goals by a defenseman before his season-ending pectoral injury.

Miles Wood is a middle-six winger and the 2020 first-rounder is 20th overall. I don’t think this even gets Bill Guerin’s attention to be quite honest. However, I think it is fair to say that the Wild are probably eyeing a return that is probably more than most teams are willing to pay, especially with Dumba’s down year.

I honestly don’t see the Wild and Devils as trade partners despite New Jersey’s need for a top-four right-handed defenseman. I think the only way this were to happen would be a blockbuster trade that involves Nico Hischier or the Devil’s willingness to surrender their 7th overall pick.

I highly doubt the Devils would even consider trading Nico Hischier. What about Matt Dumba, Joel Eriksson Ek, Luke Kunin, and a 2020 first-round pick? (Insert laugh here, there is no way the Devils trade him).

Who says no? – Wild say no because they need a top-six center, not a middle-six winger.

Trade #2

My initial thought was this was an overpay, but I actually like this one. I’d be willing to make this move in order to have the ability to draft one of Quinton Byfield, Tim Stutzle, or Marco Rossi (Now knowing the results of the draft with Minnesota getting Rossi…)

Rumor has it that Bill Guerin has been unpleased with the trade offers for Dumba thus far, and Elliotte Friedman noted that the Wild might not be able to fetch a top-six center for Dumba.

Trades are about overall value, the Wild may get the best value out of a Dumba trade by making a move through the draft, and getting the ability to draft second is paramount.

While the Wild partway with a top-four defenseman, one of their better prospects, and their 9th overall pick, they would have the chance to draft second and acquire a young center in Kupari.

However, the Kings definitely don’t take this deal for several reasons. First and foremost, they already have Drew Doughty on the books at 11 million for seven more seasons.

Second, they just inked Sean Walker to a four-year deal. They already have two top-four right-handed defensemen that cost them just under 14 million. If you add Dumba, that is almost 20 million just on the right side alone.

Who says no? – Kings say no because of positional depth rather than value.

Trade #3

I definitely like this one and I think I would go ahead and execute this trade if I am the Wild. I think in terms of value, this is more than fair. Matt Dumba could be alongside Thomas Chabot on the first-pairing and provide the Senators with more depth.

The question here is not whether the value is equal, but more if Ottawa needs Dumba. I don’t think Ottawa necessarily needs Dumba, to be honest. They are in rebuilding mode, and drafting another top player like the likes of Byfield, Stutzle or Rossi would be huge for the Senators organization. I just don’t think they take this trade when more than likely Dumba walks into free agency when his contract is over.

Who says no? – Ottawa says no because of the lack of need.

Trade #4

I don’t see it. I like the idea of acquiring Kerfoot, but it wouldn’t involve Matt Dumba or Joel Eriksson Ek. Eriksson Ek holds more value of the two and I just don’t think it really makes sense to swap the two.

Kerfoot is a solid third-line center with top-six potential and I am not sure why his name is in any rumors. If I am Bill Guerin, I would listen to an offer of Kerfoot, Dermott, and a first-rounder for Dumba.

Ultimately though, I don’t send Matt Dumba or Eriksson Ek to Toronto without acquiring William Nylander. While Nylander can play both wing and center, I think he could survive as a center in Minnesota.

Who says no? – Wild say no because Eriksson Ek holds more value in a trade surrounding these two young centers.

Trade #5 and #6

https://twitter.com/KaprizovKlub/status/1311431402982912007

I think the first one is fair in terms of overall value, but I am not sure that Tampa would want Dumba. They already have significant money invested in Victor Hedman and Ryan Mcdonagh. Both Erik Cernak and Mikhail Sergachev both need contract extensions that are likely lucrative. I don’t think Tampa has the cap space or the need for Dumba.

This doesn’t even include the risk of making this trade for Tampa. The Seattle Expansion Draft is set for next summer and they likely don’t want to add another asset that can be exposed in the draft.

There is too much risk in taking Dumba along with the obvious issues of re-signing players like Cernak and Sergachev. Brayden Point has emerged into a top-ten center and will be due for a significant pay raise two seasons from now from his current $6.75 million AAV. They need to look ahead and see how much they can afford to invest in their defensive corps.

Regarding the second one, I don’t think it makes sense to include those forwards in the trade. Yanni Gourde is a top-six forward while Victor Rask is a fourth-line center. That trade makes Tampa significantly worse next season in their quest for a repeat.

Who says no? – Tampa says no

Trade #7 and #8

(Note: Both Donato and Dubnyk were traded to San Jose for Draft Picks)

This is interesting given all the speculation regarding trade between these two teams. It is very confusing because moving Dubnyk to San Jose is a cap dump unless the Wild retain salary (note: they did). I think San Jose would rather have Donato than Dumba involved in the trade.

San Jose has roughly 30 million invested into their top-four defensive core, adding Dumba just makes that worse financially. It is very interesting to see what the Wild would get in return for a Dubnyk and Donato package. There is absolutely no way the Wild get Tomas Hertl in return for those two.

The only way the Wild acquire Hertl is if they surrender significant assets.

Looking at the Sharks roster, the only thing I can think of is acquiring draft capital in this trade. Dubnyk and Donato package for a second or third-round pick?

I still don’t get why the Wild are even shopping Ryan Donato?

Who says no? – San Jose says no

Thank you to everyone who contributed a trade to this article!