10 a.m. UPDATE
Ex-Wild winger Erik Haula has been traded from Carolina to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Vincent Trocheck, whom the Wild were reportedly interested in.
Haula, Walmark and two prospects going to Florida in exchange for Trocheck https://t.co/4xp39AVZWs
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 24, 2020
9:15 a.m. UPDATES
New name: #mnwild are getting lots of calls on right-shot D Greg Pateryn, who has one year left at $2.25 mil.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 24, 2020
Both would be in play for a No. 1 center/goaltender, No. 2 center + other pieces. If it's not there, Guerin waits.
I do get the impression this morning he's at least attempting to swing for the fences today, but takes two to tango https://t.co/TTO4LfrwOj
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 24, 2020
Original story 7 a.m.
Sunday’s loss to the St. Louis Blues pushed the Wild to five points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference playoff race, and by the time the Wild are back in action Tuesday against Columbus the roster could look significantly different.
The question is if General Manager Bill Guerin will be the maestro of any big moves before Monday’s 2 p.m. trade deadline.
“There’s not an urgency to do anything,” Guerin told The Athletic’s Michael Russo Sunday. “There’s just no rush. It’s got to be something of significance for now or the future, or we wait.”
Basically, Russo says Guerin will need to receive a “no-brainer” offer in order to deal defensemen Matt Dumba or Jonas Brodin, whose names have littered the rumor mill for months.
My reaction to what I’m hearing 👇🏻… buckle up for today. pic.twitter.com/70pEJqTLLn
— Ryan Carter 👃 (@Ryan_Carter22) February 24, 2020
TSN’s Frank Servalli wrote Sunday that Carolina really wants to add a defenseman before the deadline, saying they’re willing to package center Erik Haula and a 2020 first-round pick for the right player.
Is Haula, the former Gopher and Wild forward who scored 29 goals two seasons ago with the Vegas Golden Knights, the impact center the Wild needs? The first-round pick in a deep draft is certainly appealing considering Minnesota already owns its own first-rounder and the Penguins’ first-rounder from the Jason Zucker trade.
To be clear: the Wild and ‘Canes haven’t been linked, but the needs and assets certainly seem to make sense to a degree.
The clock is ticking the rumors will likely only increase as the day ticks onward. Check back for updates.
