The Minnesota Wild’s pursuit of a No. 1 center has been one of the biggest storylines of the summer. With under a month before the new league year begins on July 1, Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has emerged as their top target. But they may be in trouble if they can’t pull off a blockbuster deal as potential fall back options are coming off the board.
The latest name could be New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier. Hischier is currently working on a contract extension with New Jersey as he enters the final year of his contract. But while he could have been a trade target if things fell though, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports the two sides are coming closer to a potential deal.
“Although talks are ongoing, my speculation is that Hischier and [the Devils] will land on a medium term contract extension somewhere between the $11 million to $13 million.” Weekes wrote on his X account Thursday night.
It’s important to note that Weekes didn’t say a deal was done, but to have those terms in place may signal an agreement is around the corner. If that’s the case, it should put more urgency on the Wild to land Larkin and perhaps put Bill Guerin in a bidding war he may not be able to win.
Devils C Nico Hischier could be off Wild’s offseason wish list soon
Larkin may be a better fit due to his previous relationship with Quinn Hughes as well as former Team USA teammates Matt Boldy and Brock Faber. He has also been more consistent during his career as a six-time 30 goal scorer including a career-high 34 goals last season.
The problem here is the Wild’s lack of assets and if they can’t come up with a package the Red Wings like or find a third team to facilitate the deal, Minnesota could be looking for alternative options.
Hischier would have been a strong pivot. The No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, Hischier is a two-time 30-goal scorer and has put up 60 points in each of the past five seasons, which would give the Wild the top-end talent they’re looking for down the middle.
A new contract for Hischier may have been another obstacle to worry about as the Wild are looking to extend Hughes this offseason, but it may have been tolerable with the contract not kicking in until next year and Minnesota in a win-now window.
The latter part is something the Wild would have had to worry about had things gotten to that point, but it appears they may not get the chance. If Hischier signs, it could further weaken a center market that has already been depleted with over two weeks left before the start of free agency.
The Wild wouldn’t be completely out of options as they could renew trade talks with the New York Rangers to acquire Vincent Trocheck. But after the Wild scoffed at New York’s asking price at the trade deadline, Trocheck’s value has seemingly increased as he’s listed as the No. 2 asset on The Athletic’s offseason trade board.
With Hischier potentially coming off the board, the Wild need to act accordingly and it could lead to an all-in pursuit of Larkin as the offseason continues.
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