Article: The Wild Could Trade Jared Spurgeon To Four Contending Teams This Offseason

[Kalisha Turnipseed]

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[Dis-allowed display name]

I suggested moving him in the middle of the 22/23 season and the thought was/is I am crazy.  I love the guy, he is small, he gets demolished come rough playoff time, he is getting old, he is expensive.   Now his body might begin to fail him.  He had more value back then.

It is a use your head over your heart kind of thing.

Edited April 24 by Dis-allowed display name

[JRR]

If at all possible the need to move Mighty Mouse , if nothing else but for Cap space.   Faber needs to take the C , or at minimum an A if Kaprisov defers . 13 million in cap space not to mention dumping the Coasters Jojo Merrill and Freddy would do wonders

[mnfaninnc]

34 minutes ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

I suggested moving him in the middle of the 22/23 season and the thought was/is I am crazy. 

I think there would have been trouble getting him to waive his full NMC back then. Now that it becomes an M-NTC, much easier to move him.

What I noticed come playoff time was that Spurgeon has been unable to perform at a #1 pairing level. He could probably do a 2nd pairing, but he pretty much disappears as a top pairing guy in the playoffs. Perhaps that's what you mean by "crushed?"

[mnfaninnc]

This is something we will need to seriously consider. What I liked about Kalisha's suggestions were a concentration on RHS players (except for Broberg who is too good to worry about that). 

With the Hurricanes, it looks like they are probably going to blow it up after this season. It would be nice if we could add Skjei. He could come home. But that would be a UFA contract. They also don't seem to mind having some smaller players around. They have spent heavily on defense, I'm not sure they want to still go in that direction.

So, we've got Noel Gunler as a proposal. Why is Gunler playing in the Liiga? If you will remember, the Chicago Wolves went independent this past season (something that didn't work) and many Carolina affiliate players needed new places to play. Carolina is the only current team that does not have an AHL affiliate. 

Why do we only get to retain 20% of Spurgeon's salary? Mr. Cheatachu? This suggests that we really need a capologist on this team! I wonder if teams like Toronto and Edmonton can swallow that salary with an iffy medical card? I'd love to try and get Broberg, and I think that is exactly the type of player Brackett would be jumping up and down, pounding the table over. 

Vancouver is interesting. I thought they had their own cap problems? Jett Woo was a late birthday in his draft year. He's an RFA this season, and has spent 0 time in the N. I wonder if he is eligible for that 10.2 free agency? Capfriendly says no. 

How much of the A offense would transition? It would be an interesting training camp. 

If it were me, I'd probably want Broberg and send Spurgeon home. I wonder if we'd have to eat a contract to do it?

[Mateo3xm]

I feel like Buffalo would be a good trade partner. Could get a nice pick or a forward from them because of how loaded they are with prospects.

[MNCountryLife]

50 minutes ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

he gets demolished come rough playoff time

I could argue the majority of our roster has gotten a thorough beat down in the playoffs.  Other than Brodin, Spurgeon has not had a 1D caliber player standing next to him.  That needs to be considered in judging him.  

Tough not to like a guy that seems to have beaten all the odds and has a history of getting it done.  I agree though: He is older and expensive...and unlikely to be playing at a 1D level in 25-26.. when we really need him.  

Our depth at D is horrible.  Why not trade Spurgeon away and drop in a younger guy and give them 20 minutes a night.   The hope being to have them playing at a high 2D to 1D level by the end of the year. 

[Citizen Strife]

Faber being so good has made trading Spurgeon less of a pipe dream.  Having a lot of term left is my worry, less so the money.

[Mateo3xm]

In no certain order, here are some players we should target or draft.
A Center with skill and size or a RHD/LHD with skill and size would be fantastic and top of the priority.
There has been talk about catton dropping because he’s short. I think he’s closer to 5’10. We need big players but Catton is exceptionally talented.
Hage would be one of my favorite picks. He’s Extremely talented, skilled and fast and he’s rocketed up the rankings recently.
Yakemchuk would be fantastic but I have a feeling him, Iginla, Catton and probably Eiserman will probably all be taken before it’s our turn.

Tij Iginla C 6ft 185 lbs
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2024-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Tij-Iginla

Cole eiserman Wing 6ft 196 lbs
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2024-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Cole-Eiserman

Carter Yakemchuk RHD 6’3 190lbs
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2024-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Carter-Yakemchuk

Berkley Catton C
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2024-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Berkly-Catton

Michael Hage 6’1-6’2 C 190lbs
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2024-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Michael-Hage

Adam Jiricek. 6’2 RHD 175lbs
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2024-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Adam-Jiricek

Consta Helenius C/RW 5’11 180lbs
http://www.mynhldraft.com/2024-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Konsta-Helenius

Liam Greentree Rw 6’2 188lbs
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/577205/liam-greentree
 

[Citizen Strife]

All on the Iginla train if he's there.  Jarome was a Wild killer.  I kinda doubt the Flames pass on him though.

[mnhockeyfan03]

If Billy is smart and means business he will trade Spurgeon this summer before the draft and not ask for to much besides a 2nd or 3rd round pick as he will realize the cap savings on what he can get in a free agents is greater.  Same thing with Gus, Freddie and Nojo.  Rossi you may be able to get assets for but definitely should be traded as well while his value is high but don’t overvalue him.  He is not more than a 3rd line player.  Middleton should be looked at for the right piece.  Any of the 4th line guys or fringe AHL guys should be used as sweeteners to get a better draft pick or trade.  Big changes are needed this summer and it starts now.  Watch the playoffs and see how much better these teams are than us.  We aren’t even close.  They have speed and size and we have sub 6 foot scrubs that back down.  Billy make us believe you are serious about a cup.  Also get Yurov here.  

[MacGyver]

Part of the issue here is everybody thinks Spurgeon should bring this player or that player,  or a pick(s) in a certain round. Lets not forget there are at least two teams involved in every trade. You think there are any teams in the league that are unaware of the Wilds cap position and what few players they have that can be moved that will even bump the needle? Guerin has no bargaining power and little to bargain with. Spurgeon is worth more to us than he is to any other team right now. I doubt he is going anywhere and if he does there will be very little return. 

[kirillgonkillya]

Have been saying this for a few seasons now. He's never healthy, is getting up there in age, and I've never been a fan of the decision to make him the C.  He's great when he's out there but he has played 82 games maybe once if I remember right and has rarely played over 70 games. He has always been injury prone probably due to his lack of size and given his age, it seems like his body is really starting to break down now. See what you can get for him BG. 

[Willy the poor boy]

RIP Al Shaver.

How many times I fell asleep with my Motorola radio listening to Al calling the game.

[Dean]

I like the thinking but Billy won’t trade him. I can’t see him trading him after making him captain.  He should be traded . That’s the guts we need from our gm . He wouldn’t be on Vegas s roster at that cap hit. They would trade him for future considerations. I like spurg ,  respect what he’s done in his career  and this organization. However I don’t think he is a playoff defenseman , especially at that cap hit . You need more from him for that cap hit . Watching the playoffs, there’s no way he and whatever partner you gave him could handle any of these top lines  especially for 7 games .  The wild need a lot of upgrades to take on teams like Vegas , col , Dallas , Winnipeg , Nashville next year.  It gives me some hope to read they were in on Cutter Gauthier for Rossi.  Maybe Billy is really serious about upgrading. 

[Dango]

How about trading to Arizona for Shea Webbers  2  more years of injury reserve money which is 1 year shorter than Spurg  contract  , Arizona is loaded with draft picks and all their Ds are free agents . . Thats with the plan were going to replace his roster spot with a 800k IA guy or other 800k FA or  trade  .   

[hydguy75]

I respect him for what he has contributed to the Wild, however fail to witness justification for keeping him on the MN rolls.  Especially as a "C".  The Wild are missing Leadership and team mentality.  Absentee leadership, or at least inconsistent with the injuries and missed games, isn't working.  There have been many articles this season about where to put blame for Goals Against; D core or the goalie situation?  Lack of a strong D leadership is glaring.  Faber as a rookie stepped up to contribute, with broken ribs for 2 months.  Spurg is in the final quartile of an NHL career, and hoping for a complete and healthy 82 game season out of him after missing that mark for the last several seasons is unrealistic.  That "C" seems more honorary on #46 than it does indicate what the Wild is missing.  I never understood having a small D as the team captain, unless he is some legendary leader that he possesses infectious inspiration and propels into a winning era.  Trade him, and get what you can.  At minimum, rip that C off his jersey. 

[MacGyver]

7 hours ago, Dean said:

I like the thinking but Billy won’t trade him. I can’t see him trading him after making him captain.  He should be traded . That’s the guts we need from our gm . He wouldn’t be on Vegas s roster at that cap hit.

Good point. Billy and Kelly Mckrimmon are polar opposites. Billy has his boys who get his loyalty and I believe Spurgeon is in the club. McKrimmon over in Vegas is afraid to trade no one or trade for someone at any given time. Big splash moves are a regular occurrence there. No one is safe on that roster but yet it's a players destination target. Why? Because they built a winning culture in a few short years. Players know they are expendable there but are still happy to go there hoping for a chance to win the prize because your chance of that happening there are usually quite high any given year including this one. They are already handling Dallas. 

They get criticized for the way they play the LTIR cap space rules. Nothing is stopping any team in the league from doing the same thing. If the Wild did the same thing with the same results not a soul here would have a complaint. Billy is an emotional thinker not a creative one. 

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, MacGyver said:

Billy is an emotional thinker not a creative one.

Oh Snap!

I think you've summed it up in one sentence.

#Guerin'sachillesheel

[Patrick]

Turnipseed has a Turnipbrain when it comes to trade proposals.

[raithis]

18 hours ago, MacGyver said:

Part of the issue here is everybody thinks Spurgeon should bring this player or that player,  or a pick(s) in a certain round. Lets not forget there are at least two teams involved in every trade. You think there are any teams in the league that are unaware of the Wilds cap position and what few players they have that can be moved that will even bump the needle? Guerin has no bargaining power and little to bargain with. Spurgeon is worth more to us than he is to any other team right now. I doubt he is going anywhere and if he does there will be very little return. 

This.  I get that Spurgeon can be a really good player, but we can't act like every other team can't see his age, size, injury history, contract, etc too and think he's worth a younger player with upside.  Most of the proposals have us trading him to teams that are trying to figure out how they are going to sign all the players they want to sign let alone take on a larger contract for a player that is older and injury-prone.  I don't think Spurgeon is anyone's idea of a 1D outside of the Wild.  If he's traded, it will be at a loss and will require other picks/prospects/players (ones with upside) to get anyone with youth and better upside back.

[raithis]

8 hours ago, hydguy75 said:

At minimum, rip that C off his jersey. 

I like Spurgeon a lot, but for a team to say they are "grit first" and then to have Spurgeon as their captain doesn't make sense to me.

I'd rather put the C on Ek, someone who constantly works hard on being better and will go all in for the team.  I'd rather that be our identity.  That's who I want all our youngsters to see when they meet the team.  I want them to see his example and how he never stops working to improve his game, be it adding muscle or working on faceoffs or whatever.

Spurgeon worked hard to get to this level too and I am not forgetting that, but it's the intensity that Ek has that Spurgeon just doesn't.  I wish the rest of the team could see that intensity in their captain.

[mnfaninnc]

22 hours ago, Dango said:

How about trading to Arizona for Shea Webbers  2  more years of injury reserve money which is 1 year shorter than Spurg  contract  , Arizona is loaded with draft picks and all their Ds are free agents

Now we have to call this franchise Salt Lake! This is really going to confuse me.

[mnfaninnc]

15 hours ago, MacGyver said:

Billy is an emotional thinker not a creative one. 

This is why he needs an AGM who is a creative trade thinker. One who can put together a package on several different levels, not just 1 for 1 or 2 for 1. We need someone who can think like a 3D chess board. This guy doesn't need to be a capologist either.

[mnfaninnc]

11 hours ago, Patrick said:

Turnipseed has a Turnipbrain when it comes to trade proposals.

I like her effort on suggestions. Sometimes I think she's looking in the wrong direction, but sometimes she's got some great suggestions.

I just wish she'd get here in the trenches with us to discuss this stuff.