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Three offseason moves the Minnesota Wild should consider making

By Chris Donovan

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, right, has some tough decisions keeping the Wild as a contender now and into the future.(David Berding/Getty Images))
Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, right, has some tough decisions keeping the Wild as a contender now and into the future.(David Berding/Getty Images)) /
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Trade Cam Talbot

Minnesota Wild, Cam Talbot
Cam Talbot has been a solid goalie for the Minnesota Wild over the past two years and was named to the NHL All-Star Game roster this season. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Cam Talbot was an All-Star for the first time in his career, at age 34. He actually played better than the other All-Star goalies during the game (see his two incredible saves on Dylan Larkin and Rasmus Dahlin).

During his tenure with the Wild, Talbot has proven remarkably efficient. Aside from his terrible performance in the 2022 Winter Classic, Talbot has been reliable and consistent. Talbot is under contract for one more season (signed 3 years- $11 million) and the team would save $3.6 million by trading him after the season.

During his time with the Wild, Talbot has played in 60 games, has gone 37-16-6 with 3 shutouts, and 2.71 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Kaapo Kahkonen is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season and will command a significant pay increase from his $750,000 salary this season. The former AHL goalie of the year has played well in extended appearances the past two seasons and has gone 16-8 in 2021 and 10-3-2 in 2022 while filling in for Talbot.

Kahkonen would fill the void in net from a trade, and could be pushed for playing time from former second round pick Hunter Jones. Worse case scenario, Kahkonen could keep the crease occupied until 2021 first round pick Jesper Wallstedt is NHL ready.

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