Follow me on Twitter Follow @TheJeremyLaura
*if you’re wondering why I’m dong posts for each team as they’re knocked out of the post season, it goes back to Yzerman’s end of season comments. He essentially said that they would speak to each team as they finished their seasons. There aren’t going to be 30 “good fit… teams, it’s just an exercise in reviewing. I’ve enjoyed your input. Minnesota, for sure, is a team where I’m not sure what deals could be made. But, let’s take a shot!
When the Predators were eliminated, there was a feeling that changes need to be made. Minnesota is an odd commodity in these playoffs. The signings of Parise and Suter were going to be the cornerstone of a championship team. The team has added pieces through drafts and trades, but the long post season run has eluded them.
Minnesota was a bit of a surprise in their post season push. Running into the Vegas Golden Knights didn’t do them any favors. The roster is a bit of a mishmash with Suter and Parise on their “Wild for life… deals and some promising young players. There are 15 expiring deals on the current roster, and going down the list of players that could be on the “trade block… just doesn’t inspire a lot of opportunity. I’m going to do a little different split and list some possible free agents that Yzerman could look at as well as trades
Possible Trades: *I’m just assuming that Suter and Parise aren’t going to be moved. Parise was scratched in the playoffs, though his return was inspired. The ages and dollars really aren’t what the rebuilding team would be looking for.
Mats Zuccarello - 33 years old, 3 years left at 6 million (plus NMC) for a Winger who hasn’t broken 20 goals since 15/16 just doesn’t seem very realistic, but I’ll go ahead and list him. “Character guy…, for sure. Hard worker.
Victor Rask - 28 year old center with 1 year left at 4 million. Last hit 20 goals the same year Zuccarello did.
Marcus Foligno - 29 year old winger. New 3 year deal at 3.1mm per kicks in next year. Probably not an idea trade candidate. Leadership/character type guy possibly.
Matt Dumba - 26 year old defenseman with 2 yrs left at 6 million. MD has been on the trade block for 2 years now (off and on). Has been highly regarded, but hasn’t generated much excitement in terms of trade offers.
Free Agents:
Nick Bjugstad - 28 yr old Center/wing coming off of 2.05 million dollar deal. 6’6… right shot. I liked him when he was in Florida. I’m not sure what his ask in free agency will be.
Nick Bonino- 33 year old center, coming off of a 4.1 million dollar deal. Was mentioned with interest by a reader in a previous blog
Marcus Johansson - 30 year old center/wing coming off of 4.5 million dollar deal. Career high 24 goals in Washington a few years ago. 9 with Buffalo last year. 6 in this shortened season.
Here is the Minnesota Cap Friendly page. If you see someone you’d like to take a shot with via trade or free agency, let me know in the comments.
Check out my previous blogs: