The Minnesota Wild finally picked up their first win of the season on Monday. Yet, they immediately followed that up with a loss on Tuesday and are on their way to another loss tonight. The Wild will likely head home from their Canadian road trip with a 1-6-0 record on the year and their only points coming against the Ottawa Senators. Combine that with last season’s “big” trade acquisitions of Kevin Fiala, Ryan Donato, and Victor Rask all having been healthy scratches at least once and free agent centerpiece Mats Zuccarello being held scoreless through four games prior to an injury, and it is easy to see why the situation in Minnesota this season is already so bleak. Thus, it should come as little surprise that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports in his “31 Thoughts” column that Minnesota will “listen on everything.” New GM Bill Guerin is likely eager to make his mark on the team and hopeful that he can right the wrongs of his much-maligned predecessor, Paul Fenton. As one might expect from the level-headed Guerin, Friedman writes that he is not willing to rush into anything just for the sake of making a move, despite such a poor start. However, should the opportunity present itself to make a move that he feels is right for the team, Guerin won’t be afraid to pull the trigger and shake things up. Friedman feels that team’s biggest need is to add right-handed forwards. Currently, the team has just two: Ryan Hartman and Luke Kunin. If one exists on the trade market, a young, natural right wing or righty center could be a good long-term investment for Minnesota. However, the Wild are likely to be in more of a seller mode than buyer in the immediate future. Much of their roster is signed long-term, but Jonas Brodin, Eric Staal, Marcus Foligno, and perhaps even captain Mikko Koivu, an impending free agent, could be on the block.
- The Carolina Hurricanes hoped to land an NHL forward when they traded away defenseman Justin Faulk, but a potential deal with the Anaheim Ducks that would have brought Ondrej Kase to Raleigh fell through and the team settled for defenseman Joel Edmundson and promising, but raw forward prospect Dominik Bokk. Now, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the search for a top-nine forward continues for Carolina, despite their red-hot start. Neither of the two names mentioned by LeBrun as players that the ‘Canes have kicked the tires on should come as any surprise. The first is disgruntled young Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi, who is currently playing overseas. This matches up with a recent report that the Oilers continue to pursue NHL-ready Carolina prospect Julien Gauthier, but turned down a one-for-one offer for Puljujarvi this summer. With both Edmonton and Carolina playing well and wanting immediate help, it could be that the trade now makes more sense for both sides. The second player named is Joshua Ho-Sang, another frustrated young forward who is currently sitting at home waiting to be traded by the New York Islanders, who instructed him not to report to the AHL after he failed to make the team. Both Puljujarvi and Ho-Sang are behavioral question marks, but bring both upside and roster flexibility should reigning GM of the Year candidate Don Waddell decide to make a deal.
- LeBrun also reports that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is likely no longer on the trade block. While at one point both sides had agreed that a change of scenery was a good idea, the Sabres are off to a strong start this season and Ristolainen recently spoke about how much he is enjoying playing for new head coach Ralph Kreuger and his happiness with being in Buffalo. LeBrun doubts that the team wants to upset their early momentum, while noting that trade talks this summer did not bear any fruit anyway. Ristolainen can still be a key contributor for the team and they seem content to maintain the status quo so long as they continue to accumulate points.
Does Ho Sang and Puljujarvi have legitimate behavior problems or are you assuming based on them wanting a trade? I can’t blame them man, it’s not a good fit, and they feel like it’s costing them their future. I don’t see how that’s a “behavior problem.” Wouldn’t anybody want to move jobs if they didn’t feel like where they were currently was a good fit? Cmon now.
it is. he signed his contract with the team. they arent beholden to his demands, especially as a non-UFA player. not reporting where a team tells you to go is a behavioral problem. the reason he hasnt been traded is he is not worth the money he is making and no one wants him. he’s getting paid, and he should shut up and accept it.
Ho-Sang in particular is an entitled POS. This is the guy who believed he was the best prospect in his draft, he said he would draft himself first overall. He slept through training camp and got sent back to junior the first year, I believe something similar happened the following year. Then of course he wore 66 in his NHL debut and got roasted.
Minnesota needs to just blow it up and start over. It’ll be a slow process and probably will take a few heavy financial hits but until they can unload some dead weight players with huge money coming and re-evaluate the younger group of guys…this team is a go nowhere, last place dwelling, money pit. They need to realize its time to play for a top 3 draft pick. Top priority is a legit goal scorer. Never had one of those unless you count lazy ass Gaborik as one. Guerin has a huge job on his hands. Give him time and be patient. It won’t happen over night.
I agree with you. I think they need to be careful though because they have some older guys with term (Parise suter etc) that would be tougher to move. They also have KK that they have to convince to come over. I would probably keep Parise since I think it would cost a fortune to move him, but I’d try and move suter. Try like heck to build around KK dumba + some of their younger guys. Maybe move DD if they can get some picks/young F prospects too
Totally random but would edm be interested in a staal + suter with some cap retention for Caleb Jones + Jesse + rnh?
Minnesota w/Suter and Stall come in at $10,788,461 (Suter at $7,538,461) Edmonton Nugent-Hopkins at $6,000,0000 , Jones at $700,000 now Puljujarvi last year contract at $925,000 ? Edmonton at $7,625,000 difference of $3,163,461 would say if Minnesota pays Edmonton the difference of $3 million+ I would say , trade in the making now Guerin has to sign the checks to Edmonton , and Wild get Puljujarvi back from wherever he is , done deal sign the paper……. good trade Lindros88