Article: Could David Jiricek Get 'Ohgrenned' After the Wild's Trade for Quinn Hughes?

[ArizonaWildFan]

If I'm GMBG, I'm looking at the standings today. The East is a complete log jam with no teams out of playoff contention. In the West Utah, Chicago, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver are most likely out of the playoff picture. Which of those teams has the 1C or 2C that I need and would be potentially available?

There's realistically only one and that's Nick Schmaltz from Utah. He has 14G and 22A through 42 games. He's not a 1C and could possibly be 3C in Minnesota depending on chemistry with Kaprizov and Zuccarello and whether or not he could displace Yurov. Not worth it.

I would be hesitant to part with either Gus or Wally this season. Billy may want to add another piece, and the Wild certainly need one, but the options are extremely limited.

[Dis-allowed display name]

16 minutes ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

 

I would be hesitant to part with either Gus or Wally this season. Billy may want to add another piece, and the Wild certainly need one, but the options are extremely limited.

I think you try to move Gus but not until the offseason.  If  by long shot chance you found somebody to swap you a needed top six with Gus in the deal, I supposed you could throw some fertilizer on the flower and roll him out of the retirement home for the playoffs. 

I mean, he has not had a farewell tour in months.

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

Not sure I understand your comment.  Are you thinking another team will retain a players salary?

That is correct. And we should go for it when we trade for that NOW talent. I do believe that there are some franchises that will have some difficulties trying to hit the floor. Perhaps a 3 way deal could be done? 

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, bisopher said:

Cue the "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear" image, same as Dallas...🙂

From the looks of things, it appears that Dallas has moved over into the right lane.

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, hydguy75 said:

Spurgeon.  $7.57M, Age 36.  On paper this one makes the most sense to move, but watching his finesse Defense disrupt so many passes, shots, etc.  this one is tough to even consider.  BG will most likely let him retire-out here and we'll benefit come postseason. 

Since the arrival of Hughes, Spurgeon has gotten, well, physical. He's already thrown down 2 much larger wingers on this trip, and against the Kings he did make a couple of physical plays. Factor in that he is the captain and likely saved the season with his players' only meeting, it might just be the right move to keep him. What I'm seeing is a hungry Spurgy, and it's been pretty nice.

[MNCountryLife]

2 hours ago, hydguy75 said:

The Moose.  $4M, also UFA next year.  Age 34, his stats this year not as good as expected.  Consider offering him a move to his hometown of Buf, in exchange for Tage or Tuch?  Buf is on a heater right now 9-1-0 in Last 10.  If they lose momentum before TDL, would they consider bringing Foligno back?

I'm not really worried about bottom 6 players that much.  There are a lot of them and can usually be picked up in FA when needed.  It's the game changers that are hard to get.  Ek always surprises me when we are getting our heads knocked around and suddenly he rises to the occassion and nets a game changer.  

Now if we could send out a bottom 6er for a guy like Tuck or Tage (like you mentioned) ... wow... that would be huge.

2 hours ago, hydguy75 said:

Spurgeon.  $7.57M, Age 36.  On paper this one makes the most sense to move, but watching his finesse Defense disrupt so many passes, shots, etc.  this one is tough to even consider.  BG will most likely let him retire-out here and we'll benefit come postseason

100% agree on this.  Spurgeon has earned his stripes and I do hope that BG lets him retire in the Wild uniform.  Even in his twilight years the guy is still performing.  I've been impressed with him every year I've watched.  A true pro.

[Burnt Toast]

9 hours ago, Dis-allowed display name said:

I am not convinced of all of this "win now" momentum

Nationally the Wild are top 5. The Hockey Guy had them 2nd in his power rankings for three weeks. Even being that high they only get mid to high teens % to take home the cup. Aves are having an incredible season and they are in the low 20%. That’s the reality of winning what many people think is the hardest to win championship. We are in the conversation for sure but you’re also not alone in being less than optimistic. Personally this is the best Wild team I’ve seen so I’m all in. I will reevaluate after the Olympics and trade deadline. 

[Dango]

The Wild will make the playoffs and therefore dont need anyone right now so just wait until the deadline period when the playoff picture is more clear . 

[hydguy75]

2 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

Now if we could send out a bottom 6er for a guy like Tuck or Tage (like you mentioned) ... wow... that would be huge.

I get it- we would need to bundle more lures than only Foligno to secure T or T from BUF, so this is only rhetorically answering the question - what assets are available to trade for leveling up?  We quickly running out of assets to trade without going backwards, thanks to a few lopsided deals over the past couple of years. 

[Thomas]

On 1/5/2026 at 7:16 PM, hydguy75 said:

Not factoring NMC's, how do we open up cap space without regression in this win-now mode?  

Zucc $4.1M, UFA, and aging out.  He can still skate fast (enough) to be paired with KK, this season, but what about after?  Eventually we will need to create / buy the KK win-now line.  So do we hit extend to another aging vet, or cut bait and find someone to better align with the KK 8 year contract? ....

 

I think he'll sign a 2yr once or a two year twice.
He's repeatedly stated he wants to play as long as he is able to, and feels that he has something to contribute.
Mid season he's 4th on the team at PPG with 0.79

Yes, he's just played 24 games so far this season and the injury that kept him out at the start of the season I think was a groin that needed surgery. Fair enough, you get older and your body is starting to fail.
At that age I already had had back surgery for sciatica, broken shoulder blade an concussion from crashing my bicycle while out training, numerous shoulder and rib injuries from crashing my motorcycle as well playing hockey growing up.

His second injury this season was a ruptured testicle from friendly fire (Faber I believe) that needed repairing. A freak injury that can happen to anyone and is not age related.

His third and final thus far was concussion related (probably). Also not age related.

Over his career he's suffered at least three broken wrists from blocking shots and a cracked skull, also from friendly fire (Ryan McDonagh), neither age related.

So in summary; he'll sign again 🙂

[Thomas]

deleted, double post

Edited 17 hours ago by Thomas
double post

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, Thomas said:

I think he'll sign a 2yr once or a two year twice.
He's repeatedly stated he wants to play as long as he is able to, and feels that he has something to contribute.
Mid season he's 4th on the team at PPG with 0.79

Yes, he's just played 24 games so far this season and the injury that kept him out at the start of the season I think was a groin that needed surgery. Fair enough, you get older and your body is starting to fail.
At that age I already had had back surgery for sciatica, broken shoulder blade an concussion from crashing my bicycle while out training, numerous shoulder and rib injuries from crashing my motorcycle as well playing hockey growing up.

His second injury this season was a ruptured testicle from friendly fire (Faber I believe) that needed repairing. A freak injury that can happen to anyone and is not age related.

His third and final thus far was concussion related (probably). Also not age related.

Over his career he's suffered at least three broken wrists from blocking shots and a cracked skull, also from friendly fire (Ryan McDonagh), neither age related.

So in summary; he'll sign again 🙂

Slapnutz