As the Wild approach the midway mark of the schedule it is clear that the team is headed in the right direction. So what is missing and what will Chuck Fletcher be looking to do as the deadline approaches?
This is a very unique season too, give the fact that Las Vegas will be joining the league at the end of the season and the issue of player protection is on every teams' radar.
For the Wild of course they are stacked with a solid D corps and regardless of all the models these so called experts dream up, barring some kind of trade the Wild will lose a defenseman.
So that said does Chuck Fletcher try to move one of those defenseman ahead of that in order to get a return? I think not as the prospect of being a legitimate contender in the wide open Western Conference far outweighs that argument.
I will get into my thoughts on who should and should not be protected at a later date, but for now the story is what is this Wild team missing, or better yet what is on the wish list as the trade season begins?
My thoughts are that Fletcher should not be looking to make any real splash at the deadline. If a valuable depth forward with some grit and sandpaper qualities is available at a low asking price then that would be a good add, and possibly a goalie for depth at the most valuable position come playoff time.
Thoughts?