The Minnesota Wild have an interesting offseason approaching with little cap room and little roster space. While general manager Bill Guerin is expected to make changes to the roster, there is the question of whether the team will consider buying out a player or two.
The Athletic’s Michael Russo (subscription required) writes that one player who is a candidate for a buyout is goaltender Devan Dubnyk. The scribe adds that if Minnesota opts to buyout Dubnyk, it likely would be to open up a roster space as opposed to saving on cap space. Dubnyk was the starting goaltender at the beginning of the year, but struggled immensely this season in 30 appearances with an 3.35 GAA and a .890 save percentage. Granted, the veteran still has one more year at $4.3MM. However, more importantly, the team may want to move on from Dubnyk with Alex Stalock taking over the starting role. They also have AHL Goaltender of the Year in Kaapo Kahkonen ready as well as the potential to go out and get a goaltender such as Braden Holtby or trade for Matt Murray.
- The Athletic’s Joe Smith reports that the Department of Player Safety took a look at the hit from Boston Bruins forward Nick Ritchie on Tampa Bay’s Yanni Gourde during Game 3 Saturday. There will be no suspension as the hit was timed at .6 seconds from the time the puck was released. Gourde was clearing a puck during the second period when he was hit from behind by Ritchie in a shoulder-to-back hit, sending Gourde flying forward into the boards where he hit his head. However, the league rarely suspends players for hits at .6 seconds, especially ones that don’t include head contact.
- The Bruins won’t have it easy as they face elimination on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, down 3-1. The Associated Press’ Stephen Whyno reports that fourth-line forward Chris Wagner won’t be available for Game 5 due to an undisclosed injury. Wagner missed Sunday’s practice along with Ritchie, while Sean Kuraly did skate with the team after missing two games. Both Ritchie and Kuraly are day-to-day, but Wagner is definitely out, according to Bruins’ coach Bruce Cassidy. Wagner played quite well in the round-robin series scoring two goals, but has not tallied a point in the Tampa Bay series and boasts a minus-five plus-minus.
- The Athletic’s Eric Stephens (subscription required) took a look at players destined to stay with the Anaheim Ducks and those who could find themselves elsewhere next year. One interesting observation is the inclusion of 27-year-old forward Rickard Rakell, a two-time 30-goal scorer. Of course, Rakell’s last two seasons have been quite disappointing with just 33 goals in his last 134 games and he could find himself being the scapegoat for the past two years of losing. On top of that, Rakell would be quite an attractive trade chip for playoff teams that could offer him more talent up front to work with.
Matt Murray and Jack Johnson for Eric Staal and Devin Dubnyk?
Wild get a long term goalie that Guerin knows well, but have to eat Johnson’s deal. Pens get a perfect third line center for their last best run and have to take the Dubnyk deal, but both are off the books after next year when Marino needs a second contract and Malkin and Letang become eligible for extensions.
Why though
LMAO
The Wild are going to run out KK and see if he could be a franchise goalie.
We get it,you don’t like MM or JJ.
I’d trade JJ to anyone for a 12th rounder in a 10 round draft.
FTR, I like Matt just fine. Just business. Need cap space.
Typical irrational fan post. Overrate your own players and think that teams will gladly take your inept ones too. Matt Murray will fetch at best a second round pick and more likely a third. Waiting to see you suggest tradingJosh Bell and Polanco for Fernando Tatis Jr. any day now.
lol good one mc
Do you still think it’s 2015?
Staal is a 35 year old with one year left on his deal on a bad team. Dubnyk is a 34 year old minor leaguer who is still owed $4.33 million.
Staal might fetch a late second round pick if he were traded. He might not. Dubnyk has negative trade value (as does Johnson). You can hide a bad overpaid D man easier than you can a bad overpaid goalie.
If they think Murray is a starter, that is a bargain price. A steal, actually.
If they don’t, they won’t trade for him at any price.
Seriously, which of 35 year old Eric Staal or 34 year Devin Freakin’ Dubnyk are you comparing to Tatis?
On any planet…
The NHL suspending Ritchie probably would have been a plus for the Bruins with the stupid penalties he has been taking
He’s so bad