A trade for Vincent Trocheck isn't going to get many Minnesota Wild fans very excited. Is he the dynamic first-line center that Wild fans have coveted for years? No. Would he be my first choice as an upgrade for the Minnesota Wild’s top six? Also, no. However, I think a move for Trocheck could make sense for the Wild.
Recently, The Athletic’s Joe Smith outlined a deal for Trocheck that would require the Wild to send 2023 first-round pick Charlie Stramel, a 2027 first-round pick, and defenseman David Špaček to the Rangers in exchange for Trocheck. I think the deal makes sense for the Wild under the right circumstances.
By this point, Trocheck’s resume is well known to Minnesota Wild fans. He's 32 years old, good in the faceoff dot, and a great penalty killer. Trocheck can also chip in offensively; he’s posted 50 or more points in his last five seasons. He may not be dynamic offensively, but I don't think he'd have to be to be effective for the Wild. With star wingers like Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy that drive play, Trocheck could be a complementary piece down the middle on a top-six line for the Wild.
Is trading for Vincent Trocheck worth the gamble for the Wild?
Much of the deal Smith outlines revolves around how you view Charlie Stramel. The 21st pick in the 2023 draft has seen his value rise over the past two years. After a couple of disappointing seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers, Stramel transferred to Michigan State, where he scored 9 goals and 27 points in 37 games for the Spartans in his junior season. Last year, Stramel took his offense to another level, posting a career high in goals (19), assists (25), and points (44) in 37 games.
The uptick in production is certainly positive, but recent examples (Stramel’s former Spartan teammate, Isaac Howard, comes to mind) are a reminder that college production two or three years after being drafted doesn’t necessarily translate to immediate NHL production.
I don’t have a big issue including someone like Stramel in this kind of deal because I don’t necessarily believe in his offensive upside. I think Stramel tops out as a really solid third-line center, but the Wild are already pretty well stocked with that kind of center. Danila Yurov is slightly younger than Stramel and has already played a season in the NHL. Ryan Hartman and Nico Sturm are signed through the 2026-2027 season, and Michael McCarron just signed a six-year deal. Unless you think Stramel can jump into the top six right away, I think it makes sense for the Wild to move him for a player who can help the top six during this winning window.
The logic is similar for me when it comes to including a first-round pick and Špaček. If the Wild are going all in on the next couple of seasons, it’s very unlikely that anyone they draft at the back end of the first round next year will be able to help them in this window. The same goes for Špaček, who was solid in the AHL last season, but is stuck behind a logjam of young defenseman. The Wild are better off trading future-focused resources, like the first-round pick and Špaček, for someone like Trocheck that can help them win right now.
At the moment, it doesn’t sound like New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury is willing to part with Trochek for this package. I don’t think the Wild are in any rush to make this deal either, as they are looking to swing a deal for a player like Dylan Larkin, who is a better fit for their top-line center need. However, if the Wild strike out on Larkin and Drury comes down a touch on his asking price, I think Trocheck would be a fine consolation prize.
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