If you know anything about the Minnesota Wild over the past twenty years, it’s probably that they are in desperate need of a number one center. Fast forward to today and everyone is obsessed with trading for either Jack Eichel or Sam Reinhart from the Buffalo Sabres. Rightfully so, as both players are absolutely unreal. But let’s think here… what else should the Wild consider beyond those two via trade? I’ve got four options for you.
TRADE PROPOSAL #1
Minnesota Wild get: Nolan Patrick, 2021 2nd Round Pick (46th Overall)
Philadelphia Flyers get: Matt Dumba
ANALYSIS: The Wild get a young, immensely talented, unproven right-handed center in desperate need of a change of scenery along with an early draft pick for Judd Bracket and co. to work their magic with. The Flyers get a proven, top-four, right-handed defenseman that GM Chuck Fletcher and AGM Brent Flahr know very well.
TRADE PROPOSAL #2
Minnesota Wild get: Rickard Rakell
Anaheim Ducks get: 2021 First-Round Pick (21st overall)
ANALYSIS: A player of Rakell’s caliber helps the Wild win now with his scoring ability and versatility in the lineup. The Ducks get a much-needed first-round pick in an attempt to accelerate their rebuild.
TRADE PROPOSAL #3
Minnesota Wild get: Christian Dvorak
Arizona Coyotes get: Matt Dumba
ANALYSIS: The Wild nearly acquired Dvorak along with Max Domi from the Coyotes in the summer of 2018 in a trade involving Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter. Now the Wild finally get their man in Dvorak and the Coyotes get Dumba to help shore up their top-three defenseman alongside Jakob Chychrun and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. It’s a #OneForOne.
TRADE PROPOSAL #4
Minnesota Wild get: Mika Zibanejad
New York Rangers get: 2021 First-Round Pick (21st Overall), Jordan Greenway, & Alexander Khovanov
ANALYSIS: This one is the juiciest of them all. The Wild get a stud, right-handed, number one center at the beginning of his prime and the Rangers get a nice haul of building pieces to help with their rebuild. Zibanejad and future ROY (assuming he doesn’t get robbed) Kirill Kaprizov would be ludicrous together.
Don’t get it twisted though, this guy is coming to Minnesota whether you like it or not!