WildHBcommunity:Lets Dig Into Minnesota Wild Trade Deadline Decisions
Most Important Thing Learned During the 2014 NHL Trade Deadline About Wild
In the days, weeks, and months leading up to the 2014 NHL trade deadline, the Minnesota Wild content generators (writers, bloggers, analysts, radio, TV, and fans) all attempted to diagnose which players currently on the roster would still be on the roster after March 5th and who could possibly be onto their next NHL destination.
The most important thing learned during the 2014 NHL trade deadline about the Wild was they had very little interest in surrendering ANY of their prospects in a trade. What is stark is the name mentioned by general manager Chuck Fletcher of prospects teams asked about.
Fletcher stated that teams asked about Mathew Dumba, Gustav Olofsson, and Kurtis Gabriel. I think everyone was wondering if Jason Zucker would be on the move because of his highly scrutinized role and position in the prospect hierarchy here in Minnesota.
I think it speaks volumes that Fletcher entered the trade market with significant needs and wants to improve a team that has flat-out responded to great adversity by not giving up anything I would deem to be a significant part of the present or the future. Truly a masterful performance by Fletcher and his front office staff ahead of what is shaping up to be the most highly competitive Western Conference playoff push in recent memory.
What the Minnesota Wild traded away at the 2014 NHL trade deadline...
Torrey Mitchell
When the Minnesota Wild signed Torrey Mitchell as a free agent to a three-year, $5.7 million deal in July of 2012, I immediate thought his arrival meant Cal Clutterbuck's departure would come sooner rather than later. Mitchell's strength has been his versatility and energy during his career with the Sharks and Wild. He profiles as a player that can play in multiple situations in the bottom six forward core and contribute on the penalty kill. Mitchell failed to make a major impact here in Minnesota despite being afforded an opportunity to elevate himself to the third line at different times during his nearly two seasons with the Wild.
Mitchell's departure leaves Dany Heatley as the last of the NHLers on the roster for the Wild who previously were members of San Jose Sharks teams. Devin Setogucci and Heatley looked to be key members of the Wild's future after the 2011 NHL draft trades that brought them to Minnesota but Fletcher and his front office have clearly moved in their plans without them and Mitchell requesting a trade cements that as fact. One of the 2nd round picks also headed to Buffalo along with Mitchell in the trade was acquired when Fletcher dealt Setogucci to the Winnipeg this summer.
Mitchell will get a chance in Buffalo to play in a more prominent role and use his experience and versatility to help what is sure to be a very young and inexperienced Sabres team navigate what is sure to be a tough couple seasons as they rebuild. Mitchell was likely to see the press box as a healthy scratch more often during the last 20 games of the season as NHL roster limits and his contract was keeping him in the Wild's lineup.
2014 second round pick (from Winnipeg Setogucci trade)
The Wild sent this pick to Buffalo as part of the Matt Moulson deal, the Sabres also will receive the Wild's own 2nd round pick 2014 to complete last year's Pominville trade.
I believe the Sabres and new general manager Tim Murray will be looking to add as many skilled wingers and centermen in the 2014 NHL draft as possible and they will have the draft pick ammunition to do so. They could likely be looking to move around in the draft as well to target players that look like they can make an immediate impact because this upcoming draft is thought to be a very thin one.
2016 second round pick
Pushing out the other draft pick to 2016 allows the Wild to show and prove with their trajectory and confidence in their ability to contend for a Cup, making that second round pick a bottom of the draft type pick anyway. Certainly wouldn't want to limit your ability to add young prospects especially in 2015 which is thought to be a more talented draft class so giving a 2016 pick makes sense to me.
2014 fourth round pick
The Wild was owed a fourth round pick 2014 from the Sabres to complete the Pominville deal so they also owned their own pick in the fourth round as well. The difference would be top of the round versus bottom of the round but being honest it is a very insignificant return given both Backstrom and Harding are done for the year. Bad spot to be in.
Here is some Video coverage of Fletcher and the New Additions:
Chuck Fletcher on Moulson Deal:
Matthew Moulson
Iilya Bryzgalov
Cody McCormick
Just My Take, Tony Dean
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