The Minnesota Wild are unlikely to make the playoffs this year, although there still is a slight chance. That means that Trade Deadline might be a quieter affair this year with more selling for draft picks than anything else. Bill Guerin went through a flurry of re-signings at the beginning of the season, but who else could have their contracts extended before next season?
As of right now, there are 6 Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) on the active roster (plus Pat Maroon, who is currently injured) and 3 Restricted Free Agents (RFAs). The UFAs are Brandon Duhaime, Jake Lucchini, Alex Goligoski, Zach Bogosian, Dakota Mermis, Marc-André Fleury, and Maroon. The RFAs are Connor Dewar, Mason Shaw, and Declan Chisholm.
Brandon Duhaime-Trade
Duhaime has been a name being tossed around as a potential trade target. He’s a great playoff player. He can score, make plays, be physical, and hop up in the lineup if needed. Duhaime is also not afraid to drop the gloves if necessary. Right now, it feels like Duhaime will 100% be traded and not re-sign with the Wild.
Jake Lucchini-Move On
Lucchini has been a good forward pulled up from the Iowa Wild. This season, he’s played 21 games with the Wild and has 2 points (1 goal and 1 assist). He’s been a good addition to the third line and fourth lines, but he hasn’t made a big splash. With more of the Wild’s prospects joining Minnesota this spring and summer, Lucchini will probably move on to another team.
Alex Goligoski-Retirement
Goligoski has not spent much time on the ice with the Wild this year. He’s been a good player to have, though, as the blue line was decimated at one point and Goligoski was able to skate top pairing minutes when called upon. At 38 years old, retirement might be his choice this summer. If he wants to play more, though, it probably wouldn’t be for Minnesota.
Zach Bogosian-Re-Sign
Guerin has already talked about wanting to re-sign Bogosian. The defenseman was added via trade at the beginning of the season and has taken the chance to show that he still has plenty to offer on the blue line. Bogosian is a great physical presence and can skate more than just third-pairing minutes, as he showed when both Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon were out of the lineup. Bogosian has been skating in the league for so long that it’s easy to forget that he’s only 33 years old. From the way he’s been playing, he’s got a few more years of good hockey in him.
Dakota Mermis-Move On?
This has been a banner year for Mermis, who has shown that he can skate for an NHL team for more than just a game or two. The captain of the Iowa Wild, Mermis has instead skated for Minnesota most of the season on the third-pairing. He’s had 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points on the year. He’s made a great case to be signed to another NHL contract, but whether that is in Minnesota or not remains to be seen. With salary crunch issues, Minnesota has to be careful about who they sign and for how much.
Marc-André Fleury-Re-Sign
At the beginning of the season, Fleury didn’t come right out and say it, but it truly felt like this would be his last year in the NHL. But even at the age of 39, he has not slowed down and is playing just as well as he ever has. With Filip Gustavsson struggling with consistency this year, re-signing Fleury to keep up the tandem would be a good idea. Jesper Wallstedt is only 21 years old. Having him stay in the AHL for another year or two with a few stints in Minnesota would not be a bad idea. Both goalies would benefit from a few more years of mentoring by Fleury.
Pat Maroon-Who Knows?
Maroon is currently recovering from back surgery that will put him out of commission for a few more weeks. That being said, there might be interest in playoff teams to trade for him. The Wild acquired Gustav Nyquist last year even though he was injured and he ended up being a great pick-up. If Maroon stays with the Wild this season, it seems like a toss-up as to whether or not he is re-signed. Maroon is the kind of player that Guerin loves to have and his price is cheap. If there’s a spot in the lineup, we could see him back in a Wild sweater again.
Connor Dewar-Trade
Dewar has been another trade target. As an RFA, if the Wild don’t plan on re-signing him this summer, trading him for some kind of draft pick would be a smart idea. With Marat Khusnutdinov on his way over, Dewar is more expendable as the only current Wild center who can be traded.
Mason Shaw-Re-Sign
Shaw has just played in his first few NHL games after his fourth ACL surgery and recovery. The wrecking ball player is physical and practically a one-man penalty killer. The Wild, and Guerin specifically, promised Shaw that they would stick with him through his recovery and they fulfilled their promise, tearing up his AHL contract for an NHL contract a few weeks ago. If Guerin was going to move on from him, he wouldn’t have given Shaw full access to team facilities for his recovery period. Hopefully, Shaw can sign a contract with some term to give him a little more security.
Declan Chisholm-Re-Sign
Guerin picked Chisholm up on waivers from the Winnipeg Jets and that wasn’t just as a filler. Chisholm is a young blue-liner who is finally getting the opportunity he deserves and he is showing that he can stay in the lineup. He would be a great slot-in to the third pairing with Bogosian next year.
What About AHL Players?
There are several pending UFAs and RFAs currently playing in Iowa. That includes notable prospects Adam Beckman, Adam Raska, and Sammy Walker, who have all been pulled up to play in Minnesota once or twice. Raska especially made a strong showing and could be a good substitute for Duhaime when he is ultimately traded. There are several others that may be re-signed mostly to stay in Iowa, but with the potential to be pulled up. That includes Simon Johansson, Nic Petan, Steven Fogarty, Nick Swaney, and Jujhar Khaira.
For more Minnesota Wild news and vibes, listen to Her Wild Side Hockey Podcast.
