The Minnesota Wild began the NHL season with high aspirations, expecting to compete for the Stanley Cup. Their optimism was reinforced by the pre-season extension of star left winger Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year contract. However, as November arrives, the Wild find themselves struggling and sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
NHL Rumors: Wild Seek Aid Through Trades
General Manager Bill Guerin is actively exploring the trade market to bolster his team. On October 31, reports emerged from Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco indicating that Guerin is searching for a forward. The aim is to enhance the scoring ability of the Wild’s middle six forwards.
Potential Trade Targets
Several players have been mentioned as possible trade options:
- Nazem Kadri (Calgary Flames)
- Pavel Zacha (Boston Bruins)
- Casey Mittelstadt (Buffalo Sabres)
While all three players are generating trade speculation, teams like the Flames and Bruins are not yet in full sell mode, hoping to improve their own seasons. Zacha and Mittelstadt present more affordable options in terms of salary and could be more appealing for the long term compared to Kadri.
Any transactions involving these players are likely to take place in the second half of the season, but that may be too late to make a significant impact for the Wild. Analysts from The Athletic, Joe Smith and Michael Russo, are skeptical that Guerin will secure a trade that delivers immediate benefits to the team. They argue that the Minnesota Wild may need to find solutions internally to address their challenges.
Sabres’ Levi Seeks New Opportunity
The Buffalo Sabres are also facing a unique situation regarding their goaltending depth. Devon Levi, a 23-year-old considered the team’s goaltender of the future, has struggled to secure a spot in the primary lineup. Recently, there were rumors suggesting he sought a trade before being reassigned to the Sabres’ AHL affiliate in Rochester.
Since those initial reports, there have been no updates confirming any trade requests or offers regarding Levi. Nonetheless, given the limited availability of goalies in the current trade market, this situation remains one to monitor closely.
Overall, both the Wild and Sabres are navigating challenging periods and exploring potential changes within their rosters to better their standings in the competitive NHL landscape.
