The Minnesota Wild were looking to make a big splash at the trade deadline to improve their chances of contending for a Stanley Cup. General manager Bill Guerin was unable to get a big deal done, given the high asking prices for the players available, such as New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck. Given the inability to land a big fish at the March 6 deadline, all eyes will be on the offseason to see if Guerin will be able to pull something off.
Could it be the captain of Team USA, Auston Matthews? The Athletic's Wild reporter Michael Russo speculated that Guerin, by holding onto the top assets he had left, would go for a big player in the offseason, such as Matthews, given the state of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
During an appearance on Sportsnet 590 The FAN with Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne, Russo talked about the chances of the Wild acquiring Matthews. But, Russo expressed pessimism over the team's chances of landing him due to their lack of assets.
“If [Auston Matthews] was on the trade block, the Wild would be in on that… but unless Auston said ‘I’m only going to Minnesota,’ I don’t see how the Wild would have the assets.”@RussoHockey joins @RealKyper and @jtbourne to discuss Bill Guerin’s interest in Matthews. pic.twitter.com/gL5LrIoYVy
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) March 19, 2026
“If [Auston Matthews] was on the trade block, the Wild would be in on that… but unless Auston said ‘I’m only going to Minnesota,’ I don’t see how the Wild would have the assets," said Russo.
Wild reporter pessimistic about team's chances of trading Auston Matthews
One of the points that Russo makes is that if a team were to trade their superstar, they would be looking to get a return like the Vancouver Canucks got from the Wild for defenseman Quinn Hughes. Guerin traded away Liam Ohgren, Zeeve Buium, Marco Rossi, and a first-round pick. It was a premium trade package, but it's what Guerin was willing to give up for a game-changing defenseman like Hughes.
"I just don't know if the Wild would have the assets to get that done because any GM is going to look at the Quinn Hughes trade as sort of the template for a trade like that, and the Wild could not do Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, and a first," said Russo. "They just don't have those assets anymore. And I think if Auston Matthews suddenly became on the trade market, I think there would be a lot of teams in it."
While the Wild don't have the assets, it could work in their favor if Matthews were to request a trade to Minnesota, exclusively. After all, he does have a full no-trade clause.
Matthews was recently ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery for a grade 3 MCL tear after a knee-to-knee hit by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. The Leafs are well out of playoff contention, and were sellers at the trade deadline. Given the outlook of the team, one has to wonder if there will be massive changes in the offseason.
This season, Matthews recorded 27 goals and 26 assists in 60 games this season.
Guerin has openly praised Matthews multiple times. He named him the captain of the United States men's ice hockey team, one that ended a 46-year gold medal drought. If Matthews were to demand a change of scenery, Guerin would understandably be all over it. But with their current pool of assets, they may not have the best chances of landing the center outright.