The Expansion Draft is looming and the Wild have exactly one week to make a trade before the league initiates a five-day league-wide freeze of all trades.
It’s no secret that the Wild are in danger of losing a significant player to Las Vegas for absolutely nothing. That’s why it’s likely the team could move a player – most likely a defenseman – between now and the next seven days.
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune said on the MNSPN podcast earlier this week that he believes the team will move Matt Dumba, while Joe Haggerty of Comcast Sports North East believes the Boston Bruins are targeting Jonas Brodin.
Which made NHL insider Elliot Friedman of Sportsnet.com, ponder if the Wild go after Jonathan Drouin (again) of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“The Wild have expansion draft concerns,” said Friedman. “Either Jonas Brodin or Matt Dumba could make sense for the Lightning. Drouin would be an intriguing piece there, too.”
This isn’t the first time someone has suggested that Drouin could be a fit for Minnesota. In January of 2016, the Wild targeted Drouin and league sources stated the Lightning was interested and wanted a return that was centered around Dumba, but no deal was ever made.
After Tampa hung onto Drouin the move paid off as the 22-year-old registered 53 points (21 goals) this past season for the Lightning.
Drouin is currently a restricted free agent, so if the Wild acquired him, they’d control his rights to negotiate a contract or the two teams could work out a sign-and-trade.
The former No. 3 pick in the NHL Draft is considered by some to be a “generational talent,” and although Minnesota has depth, they lack the superstar which is something Drouin brings to the table.
