NHL Insider Urges Minnesota Wild to Trade for Old Friend
The NHL Trade deadline is quickly approaching and the Minnesota Wild have a lot of moving parts on their hockey team lately. There’s no doubt they will be looking to add before the March 7 deadline. In fact, Michael Russo (The Athletic) had the Wild as “cautious buyers” in this piece from over a month ago.
While things have changed pretty drastically for Minnesota, since Russo’s article, the Wild still sit near the top of the Western Conference standings and will be looking to improve the roster as much as they can possibly afford, as they navigate the next two months of the regular season. But… what are they looking for?
Could Minnesota Wild bring Mikael Granlund back?
Then, just last week, veteran NHL insider and senior writer for The Athletic, Chris Johnston, floated the idea of the Minnesota Wild reuniting with an old friend via trade. Johnston likes Mikael Granlund as a left-shooting forward who can switch between wing and center for the Wild.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Granlund was a first-round pick by the Wild who spent seven seasons playing for the organization. Still, wouldn’t it be a nice homecoming story? Minnesota could really use a forward who can toggle between center and wing while chipping in with some offense. Granlund ticks all of those boxes and should come with an added level of comfort given his familiarity with the organization.
Chris Johnston – The Athletic (subscription required)
Mikael Granlund is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, so would likely be a one-year rental for the Wild given the contract Granlund will likely demand on the open market. The 32-year-old leading the San Jose Sharks in scoring, with 35 points, which puts him on pace for a career high, which is currently set at 69 (2016-17).
Related: Minnesota Wild Injury Updates – Mostly Good News on Kaprizov, Spurgeon and Middleton
The former Wild No. 9 overall pick (2010) would also give Minnesota some much-needed help on the faceoff dot. He’s winning draws at a 47.2-percent clip this season and is skating more than ever (21:11 ATOI).
In the same piece, The Athletic‘s Pierre LeBrun identifies Vegas as a potential landing spot for Granlund, which would make the hottest team in the Western Conference even better. It would behoove Minnesota to keep that from happening. Vegas is 8-2-0 over their last 10 games and have posted the fourth-best goal differential in the NHL this season.
Wild also looking for help on the blue line
With Jake Middleton just beginning to skate after hand surgery, and Jared Spurgeon being lost for two to three weeks, Minnesota might be seeking defensive help via trade. Enter Brian Dumoulin, per Brennan McClain of Pro Hockey Rumors.
Given his cost-effective salary and ability to play on both sides of the blue line, he should have several suitors at the trade deadline. Dumoulin has a 10-team no-trade clause in his contract meaning Anaheim can discuss his availability with the 21 teams off his list. The Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets are all legitimate contenders who could use more defensive depth on their blue line.
Brennan McClain – Pro Hockey Rumors
Related: All Matt Boldy Does is Win Shootouts
Dumoulin, 33, also has a contract expiring at the end of the season. He’s blocked 61 shots in 38 games for Anaheim, a piece of the puzzle that’s missing in Minnesota without Middleton and Spurgeon. He’d be second on the team in shots blocked according to Money Puck. Dumoulin is making just $3 million this season, so he’ll have plenty of suitors given his playoff success.
Minnesota is one of the 21 teams to which Dumoulin would accept a trade, but the Wild will likely wait until their blue line is at full strength before considering any trades prior to the NHL trade deadline on March 7.
Whether they should is debatable, but the Wild have managed to hold it together thanks to the elevated play of Marco Rossi, even in the absence of Hart Trophy candidate Kirill Kaprizov.
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