Wild trade tracker: How Guerin plans to be active in a thin market, plus Dumba likely staying, more deadline updates
With the Wild having factors in six straight and eight of their previous 9 and instantly two factors south of chief Dallas on the Central Division facet of the Western Convention standings, common supervisor Invoice Guerin says his gamers have proven they’re critical and he hopes to be “very active” on the deadline.
But it surely gained’t come by mortgaging the longer term.
“The target is to make the workforce higher if we are able to,” Guerin mentioned of his trade deadline technique. “It depends upon asking costs and value and issues like that. We don’t need to make the workforce worse in any means proper now or for the longer term. We simply need to guarantee that we’re correctly managing our belongings.”
Guerin isn’t prepared to trade first-round picks and prime prospects, as he admits his greatest aim is constant to plan for the longer term to open the window vast when the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyout hits of $14.7 million the following two seasons are gone.
“That’s why we don’t eliminate high-end belongings. It’s as a result of we’re planning for that,” he mentioned.
The most important query is how active he can truly be.
All indications are he’s not ready to add gamers with time period, that means the dream of some Wild followers of Brock Boeser coming to Minnesota with two years on his deal at $6.65 million. And the market is thinning shortly with Patrick Kane shut to heading to Broadway and Timo Meier to Newark.
Two gamers it’s believed the Wild had curiosity in — Montreal’s Evgenii Dadonov and Dallas’ Denis Gurianov — have been traded for one another. Tyler Bertuzzi, someone the Wild actually like, can also be off the marketplace for now.
One participant the Wild have expressed curiosity in is Philadelphia’s James van Riemsdyk, who’s having an unproductive season (23 factors in 40 video games) however may carry dimension and scoring contact (three targets shy of 300), particularly on the ability play. However his foot velocity isn’t nice, he isn’t the grittiest and one would assume he’d be on the second power-play unit, which will get the waning seconds of most energy performs as a result of the No. 1 unit both scores or eats up the vast majority of the 2 minutes.
Just a few weeks in the past, the Wild had tepid curiosity. That appears to have elevated, likely as a result of the market is turning into desolate. Guerin talked contract about Filip Gustavsson in the previous week together with his agent, Kurt Overhardt, who additionally represents JvR. So chances are high his identify got here up.
Different names on the market embrace Chicago’s Max Domi, who’s having a nice 12 months however is someone the Wild have by no means appeared to have a lot curiosity in (nicely, since Paul Fenton tried to purchase him and Christian Dvorak for Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter); Washington’s Conor Sheary, a stable playoff performer who Guerin is aware of nicely from Pittsburgh; injured Columbus speedster Gustav Nyquist; Chicago speedster Andreas Athanasiou; and Montreal’s Sean Monahan (injured) and Jonathan Drouin
Truthfully, the participant which will take advantage of sense to match with Matt Boldy is Zucker, who ranks fourth in Wild historical past with 132 targets and is one among three Wild-drafted gamers to rating 30 targets for them (Kirill Kaprizov and Marian Gaborik are the others).
However Guerin traded him to Pittsburgh in the primary place, so he in all probability feels “been there, achieved that.”
(Final up to date Feb. 27. Bookmark this web page and examine again repeatedly for more updates.)
Dumba likely going nowhere
Basic supervisor Invoice Guerin says Matt Dumba is likely going nowhere.
“If someone comes by means of and affords us a boatload for him, we’ll give it some thought,” Guerin mentioned. “However I truly assume Matt’s enjoying his greatest hockey of the 12 months proper now. I might in all probability guess that he’s right here by means of the top of the 12 months, however I can’t make that promise.”
What’s attention-grabbing is one purpose Guerin doesn’t need to trade Dumba is that they don’t have a appropriate alternative contained in the group. Iowa veterans Dakota Mermis and Andrej Sustr aren’t enjoying in a top-four position, and Ryan O’Rourke, who’s having a very robust 12 months for Iowa, and Daemon Hunt aren’t prepared.
“We don’t have anyone in Iowa that may exchange Matt Dumba,” Guerin mentioned. “We don’t have a rookie that may exchange Matt Dumba. Matt Dumba’s been in this league for, what, 10 years? You don’t simply exchange these guys with, like, anyone. They’re top-four defensemen. That’s one thing. We don’t have that.”
The most important query is that if Guerin feels that means now, gained’t he additionally really feel that means this summer season after they simply let him stroll? Guerin was requested if Dumba got here to them and was prepared to take a important pay minimize on his $6 million wage if he’d think about bringing him again. Guerin mentioned they’d determine that out later if that hypothetical occurs, however fact be advised, what he can’t in all probability say publicly is the Wild are banking on College of Minnesota’s Brock Faber having the ability to play subsequent season with Jonas Brodin and have already determined they’ll’t afford Dumba it doesn’t matter what.
“We’ll determine it out,” Guerin mentioned. “We’ll have to have someone play there. That’s simply what we’ll have to do. When you look across the league, you all the time see guys enjoying out of place. You all the time see guys enjoying too excessive in the lineup. … I imply, no one would say Jacob Middleton’s a No. 2 defenseman. However he’s for us. He’s enjoying in our prime pair with (Jared Spurgeon). It’s simply sort of a tag. It’s a quantity. It’s what works for us. We’ll determine it out.”
(Feb. 27)
Wild GM Invoice Guerin doesn’t need to trade Alex Goligoski, who in all probability is aware of as soon as Brodin returns to the lineup, he’ll be a nightly wholesome scratch once more.
Although Guerin in all probability desires to do proper by him, he additionally is aware of he wants depth and should not need to trade him till the summer season.
“To be trustworthy with you, I haven’t talked to Goose about something in the final couple of minutes,” Guerin mentioned. “However no, we’re not going to be simply giving folks away. Like I’ve advised you earlier than, Goose and I’ve a relationship again from after we performed collectively, however my job is and I’m obligated to do what’s proper for the Minnesota Wild first, after which we are able to deal with the opposite stuff later.”
Nonetheless, one wonders, if Goligoski have been prepared to waive his no-move, would it not make sense to trade him and improve the depth with one other defenseman?
Additionally, Addison, a pending restricted free agent who the Wild might be prepared to trade now or this summer season like Jordan Greenway, has performed three video games in a row with Brodin sidelined and assistant on Kaprizov’s time beyond regulation winner Sunday versus Columbus.
Just a few days earlier in Columbus, Addison mentioned he was making an attempt not to take into consideration the trade deadline.
“You may’t learn into issues proper now,” the 22-year-old defenseman mentioned. “For me, I’m simply making an attempt to be a workforce participant it doesn’t matter what, work laborious and get higher.”
(Feb. 27)
Brock Boeser’s agent working to facilitate a homecoming
It’s no secret that Brock Boeser is on the trade block in Vancouver.
And the Burnsville, Minn., native would love a return to his residence state to play for the Wild, who may use some assist with scoring in their prime six.
The issue is Boeser’s contract, as he has two years left after this one at a $6.65 million common annual worth. These are the years Minnesota will be cap crunched.
However agent Ben Hankinson, with permission from the Canucks, mentioned he’s been in contact with Wild common supervisor Invoice Guerin about making an attempt to discover a means to make it work.
“They’re making an attempt to transfer some issues round, probably,” Hankinson mentioned Wednesday on The Athletic Hockey Present. “More importantly, possibly are they on the within (of the playoffs)? They clearly had a huge win final night time. There’s 82 video games, you don’t assume one win would be so vital. However the place are they sitting? Does Billy need to add? Or may he be a potential vendor?
“However the place does Brock Boeser match? I feel he suits in completely (as) a top-six scoring wing, in all probability enjoying with (Matt) Boldy. However there are different items in play. There are rumors that (Jordan) Greenway may be going. Clearly the entire (Matt) Dumba rumors. (Calen) Addison has been scratched a little bit, too. There’s a ton at play.”
Hankinson pointed to how Guerin tried to make one other Minnesota-born shopper, Ryan McDonagh, match over the summer season when the Lightning felt compelled to transfer the top-four defenseman due to cap constraints.
McDonagh had 4 years left on his deal at $6.75 million, however Hankinson mentioned Guerin gave it a shot earlier than the Lightning made a take care of Nashville. Hankinson famous that to match McDonagh, Guerin would have had to “transfer in all probability a defenseman he positively didn’t need to transfer.”
“(Guerin) is all the time each state of affairs, whether or not that’s middle or winger or Brock Boeser particularly,” Hankinson mentioned. “He’s 25 years outdated. He can rating. He’s not scoring at a nice charge this 12 months, however he’s placing up a lot of factors. However I feel he’d be a nice match.
“There’d have to be a lot of wage retained by Vancouver, and I don’t assume that’s one thing they’re too excited to do, as a result of they only signed Brock Boeser. Billy would have to have them eat a huge, huge chunk of that $6.65 (million) to match him in subsequent 12 months and the 12 months after, as a result of that’s when the cap will get actually tight for the Wild.”
(Feb. 22)
Addison sitting
You may argue for the timing of scratching Wild defenseman Calen Addison, who has now sat for 3 consecutive, pivotal division video games.
However there’s clearly one thing brewing right here between the teaching workers and the rookie defenseman, who has been a spark for the ability play however struggles in his personal finish. The actual fact this was the second time Addison has been sat over a three-month span means it’s a recurring downside; in December it was for only one sport. And it appears as if Addison doesn’t utterly agree with the coach’s evaluation. Coaches advised him he was enjoying “scared,” and never participating.
“I’m not scared on the market,” Addison mentioned.
However one factor is for sure: Coach Dean Evason’s recommendation to watch captain Jared Spurgeon is one thing Addison wants to take critically. If anybody is aware of about being a shutdown defender as a smaller man, it’s Spurgeon, who is 2 inches shorter.
For more, try our new weekly Wild insider column.
(Feb. 20)
Curiosity in Bertuzzi
There have been 13 scouts on the Wild-Predators sport Sunday, together with a late add: Detroit assistant common supervisor Shawn Horcoff.
The Wild have expressed curiosity in pending free agent Tyler Bertuzzi, so Horcoff’s uncommon go to to Minnesota was notable.
For more trade deadline protection, try The Athletic’s trade deadline stay weblog, which launched Monday and is updating continuously with notes from across the league.
(Feb. 20)
The Wild’s half in the O’Reilly trade
The Wild performed the a part of intermediary in the Maple Leafs–Blues blockbuster on Friday night time, which created a night time filled with exercise inside the final supervisor’s sales space through the Wild’s 2-1 shootout win over the Stars.
We’ve bought the story on the way it went down right here.
(Feb. 17)
A ‘kick in the ass’ for struggling Greenway
Jordan Greenway is aware of he’s not enjoying nicely sufficient.
He enters Friday’s sport with simply two targets in 37 video games and had three minor penalties two video games in the past, together with two unhealthy ones in the third interval.
However common supervisor Invoice Guerin tried to present a spark final week in a laborious, heart-to-heart dialog with the 26-year-old winger.
“It was simply what he felt have been some issues that might possibly assist me be more productive on the scoresheet,” Greenway advised The Athletic. “And put a little fireplace underneath me, bought me going a little bit. It’s simply making an attempt to shake issues up. It was one thing he felt I wanted to assist me put more pucks in the web.”
Greenway enjoying higher would be good for the Wild in two methods. First, they want all the assistance they’ll get offensively, particularly at five-on-five. And second, the actual fact Greenway continues to be in the lineup is one other indication the membership is actively buying him forward of the March 3 trade deadline. He has two years left on his contract after this one at a $3 million common annual worth.
Greenway drew the ire of the group final month when he didn’t arrive on time for a sport towards the Blues and put the workforce in a bind; he had to be scratched in the second half of a back-to-back with no further forwards on the roster.
Greenway didn’t get into all of the specifics of the dialog with Guerin. However the message was obtained.
“In truth for myself, I don’t actually need any exterior motivation,” mentioned Greenway. “I feel I count on a lot out of myself. It’s nice when you may get these, not even assurances, however a kick in the ass.
“On the similar time, I do know I’m not enjoying in addition to I ought to. I do know what I’m not doing.”
(Feb. 17)
Goligoski showcase?
Alex Goligoski is drawing into the Wild lineup for the second straight sport Friday.
It’s largely as a result of rookie Calen Addison has been a wholesome scratch as coach Dean Evason tries to get the purpose throughout that he has to be higher defensively. However with a giant variety of scouts anticipated to attend Friday’s sport with the Stars, this might additionally be a means for the Wild to showcase Goligoski, a 37-year-old veteran who has sat out more than half the video games this 12 months.
(Granted: Addison has been the topic of trade hypothesis, as nicely, as you’ll see for those who scroll down.)
Goligoski desires to play, and whereas it’s more likely the Wild would oblige him and transfer him in the summer season, his being in the lineup helps different groups get a nearer look because the deadline approaches.
(Feb. 17)
Wild trade targets
There’s no cure-all ready for the Wild on the trade deadline, and the truth that Guerin isn’t in giving up excessive picks or prime prospects for leases will take them out of the marketplace for a number of the greatest fish. However there are some gamers on the market who may make sense for Minnesota to at the very least think about.
How would Patrick Kane match? Or Brock Boeser? Or Ryan O’Reilly?
Right here’s a deep dive on the obtainable gamers, with evaluation of contracts, price, competitors and more.
(Feb. 15)
Guerin talks trade deadline plans
Guerin appeared on Thursday’s version of Straight from the Supply and touched on a number of topics concerning the trade deadline. Bear in mind, all of this might change if the Wild proceed to plummet earlier than the deadline:
On whether or not he plans to wait to see the place his workforce’s at after the homestand to make a trade to add offense: “Yeah, it’s a actually good query. I’ve considered it each methods, to be fairly trustworthy with you. And it’s robust as a result of proper now asking costs are a lot. We’re nonetheless simply not in a place the place we wish to hand over first- and second-round picks for someone we all know that can be a rental. We hope that Greenway can begin scoring more, (Ryan) Hartman can begin scoring more, (Marcus) Foligno can begin scoring more — guys like that may simply begin contributing offensively a little a little bit more. That will be the most effective state of affairs as a result of then we are able to resolve a lot of issues, a lot of issues internally.”
On banking cap area however not being prepared to hand over important belongings in a trade: “Yeah, it’s a bizarre spot. We’ve … bought like a foot in every scenario. Plenty of cap area the place we may do one thing, however we are able to’t have anyone signed previous this 12 months, so we don’t need to hand over prospects and issues like that. So we’ve sort of bought one foot in, one foot out, however I feel over the following couple of weeks we’ll actually be ready to sort of dial in and determine what we’re going to do.
On how each different sport I waver between considering the Wild’s greatest want is a top-six middle or a scoring winger to assist spur Matt Boldy: “I’m the identical means as a result of our workforce has been, I don’t need to say inconsistent, however we’ve been constantly inconsistent. One night time I really feel like, ‘Oh man, we’d like a middle.’ However then the following night time, it’s like, ‘God, we’re simply not scoring five-on-five. We may actually use anyone to assist us rating.’ However once more, I feel that’s why I want to be actually affected person and simply actually give this workforce on a regular basis I can to be constantly higher.”
On whether or not costs may come down the longer he waits: “I don’t get the sensation proper now that a lot of men are essentially trying to spend a lot on leases. I get that feeling. I imply, that’s the best way I’m. There are such a lot of good gamers on the market that might be obtainable. However for me, it’s simply weighing what you’re getting and what you’re giving up. And is it price it? If one thing actually is sensible and we have now to sacrifice a prospect, … then possibly that’s what we are able to do. Take a look at the (Kevin Fiala) deal we made with Los Angeles. After years of accumulating picks, they felt they have been ready to hand over Brock (Faber). I feel someday down the road, we’ll be ready to try this. I don’t essentially assume it’s proper now.”
On whether or not he nervous scratching Matt Dumba two video games in a row would make it more troublesome to trade him: “Individuals are at our video games watching, so we’re not fooling anyone. There’s a observe file there, too, (the place there’s) fairly a good, lengthy observe file for Matt Dumba enjoying some actually good hockey. You don’t simply change into a unhealthy participant in a single day. He’s nonetheless a good hockey participant. He performed possibly his greatest sport of the 12 months towards Tampa Bay (in his first sport again). He was phenomenal and he’s been good ever since. I’d hate to say it labored, but it surely did.”
On doing proper by Alex Goligoski, who has been scratched 30 video games, and buying and selling him as a result of he desires to play, versus feeling he wants to maintain him as insurance coverage: “It’s actually robust as a result of him and I’ve a relationship. We have been teammates in Pittsburgh. Yeah, I would like Alex Goligoski to be joyful. I don’t need him to be sitting in the stands. It stinks. That’s one of many robust issues about my job, however that’s my job. I’ve a accountability to the workforce first.”
On why he hasn’t recalled Marco Rossi when the Wild may use an infusion of scoring or a middle: “I feel Marco was in all probability a little additional away than possibly we needed to admit. He’s achieved so nicely and has dealt with it so nicely, and he’s enjoying very nicely. So it’s labored. I feel this actually proves when you’ve gotten younger gamers and issues aren’t going nicely, they want to play. They want to play in the American Hockey League. … The matter of reality is we don’t have a place for him to play proper now. The day will come, however I feel proper now it’s good that Marco’s simply tremendous targeted on being in Iowa and serving to that workforce. … I don’t need to carry Marco up and simply say, ‘Properly, right here. Drawback solved. We bought our man.’ It’s an excessive amount of strain for a younger child. If we ever carry him up and he will get in and he does that, then nice, then we’re higher off for it. However for me to say we’re going to take this child who struggled originally of the 12 months and simply insert him again into our lineup in the hardest time of 12 months and (say) he’s going to do nice, I don’t assume that’s truthful to put that sort of strain on him straight away. Like I mentioned, if we carry him up and he will get in and he does it, then nice. However I’m not gonna sit right here and say, “That is coming.’”
(Feb. 9)
Jordan Greenway’s ticket out of city
The irony of Boldy’s seven-year extension final month is it likely wrote Greenway’s exit papers out of Minnesota — and Boldy and Greenway are good buddies and have the identical agent.
The Wild are actively buying Greenway, whether or not the transfer is for now or this summer season. He has had a disappointing season, with two targets and 4 assists in 33 video games, has two years left on his contract at $3 million and final month overslept, missed a sport towards St. Louis and put the Wild in a horrible spot with no further wholesome forwards on the roster. Due to in-game accidents, the Wild at one level had 9 forwards enjoying in a second sport in 24 hours.
However there’s little question the Wild would be promoting low and can be hoping different groups see a 6-foot-6, 25-year-old energy ahead who averaged 27 factors the previous 4 seasons and was a part of the productive GREEF line — not an underachieving participant in the midst of a poor season.
“When you take a look at it as a entire, it’s in all probability down season for me,” Greenway mentioned Feb. 8. “However we nonetheless have a giant a part of the season to go.”
(Feb. 8)
Wild trade board: Who stays, who goes and what’s Invoice Guerin considering?
An evaluation from @RussoHockey and I. What sort of deal they’re likely in search of and who’re doable trade chips. https://t.co/QVTDTlMEFX
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) January 26, 2023
Newest on Matt Dumba
Dumba is sort of all the time in trade rumors. And, particularly with this being his final season with the Wild, the hypothesis will run even more rampant for the pending UFA. The actual fact he was scratched twice final month actually raised some eyebrows. However the backside line is the Wild gained’t transfer Dumba except they’ve a appropriate alternative. So he may find yourself being an “personal rental.”
One huge purpose for that: We’re sensing Guerin is getting no curiosity for Dumba.
As one scout advised Joe Smith final month, there are a number of defensemen obtainable and Dumba is “one of many final guys” groups these gamers speak about. The scout famous Dumba may be a fifth or sixth defenseman on a profitable workforce, however there are occasions when he takes too many penalties and makes too many turnovers.
As #mnwild maintain profitable, Matt Dumba is aware of his days in Minnesota may be nearing an finish
“I’m simply making absolutely the most of it and having fun with daily as a Minnesota Wild participant and having fun with simply the good group of men that we have now.”
My story>>> https://t.co/WFm0SC8eNn
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 18, 2023
(Feb. 8)
May Calen Addison be on the block?
It’s unlikely the Wild transfer Addison on the deadline. He’s 22, runs the purpose on the highest power-play and can be among the many prime rookie scorers this season. But when Guerin certainly is in search of a hockey trade and senses Addison — a pending restricted free agent — desires more than they’ll deal with in a cap crunch, there’s all the time a likelihood. That holds very true due to the actual fact they’re nonetheless working with him on his D-zone play, which is why he was scratched earlier in the season.
It nonetheless would appear if Addison will get traded, it’d be more likely over the summer season.
(Feb. 8)
Calen Addison mentioned getting scratched final month “pissed me off.” Dean Evason had a chat with rookie, telling him to focus more on the d-zone. “Watch No. 46.” On how #mnwild bought most from Addison, w/ assist from position mannequin Jared Spurgeon. Growth in #NHL https://t.co/DTUtwKSXiv
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) January 5, 2023
A rock, a laborious place and Alex Goligoski
That is a robust scenario for the veteran defenseman from Grand Rapids, Minn. For the workforce, too. Goligoski has been scratched for more than half of the Wild’s video games this season. And, except there’s an damage — like Jonas Brodin’s on Wednesday — he gained’t be getting in. Goligoski loves dwelling again residence and loves his teammates, however he’s annoyed as he desires to play. There’s a likelihood Goligoski, who has some no-trade safety, asks Guerin to transfer him to a place he can play. However the Wild might not oblige till this summer season, as they don’t have a lot NHL-ready depth on the blue line. And the second you deal one defenseman, two get harm.
(Feb. 8)
Alex Goligoski goes from nightly scratch to time beyond regulation hero on the night time he’s honored
through @TheAthletic https://t.co/cy9te2i5iK
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) November 21, 2022
(Prime picture of Matt Dumba: Bruce Bennett / Getty Photos)
