Article: Minnesota Wild Asset Tierlist: 2026 Trade Deadline Edition

[Tony Abbott]

View full article

[Scalptrash]

All valuable assets for the future of the Wild. Hopefully Billy doesn't squander what's left for a rental.

[MNCountryLife]

Panthers got Marchand for a 2nd round pick.  If we are looking for a rental I'm not sure why we would have to give up a #1 all the time.

[MNCountryLife]

You remove Wally and Gus will fall down.  Yurov is getting better every single game.  The guy is potentially a better version of Ek.  BG Gave up so much for Jiricek I don't see how he lets that go without looking the fool.  He made his bed with the Jiricek trade.

When you are 2nd or 3rd in the league in points you could also sit still if the right trade doesn't present itself.  Although I doubt BG will sit still.

[Tony Abbott]

4 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

Panthers got Marchand for a 2nd round pick.  If we are looking for a rental I'm not sure why we would have to give up a #1 all the time.

No second-rounders until 2028.

[Burnt Toast]

Dallas and the Aves won’t be holding back on Trade Deadline adds. The Wild will need to sign a good player just to keep up with the best teams. I think the sellers will be asking for a lot in return. Exciting times. 

[Patrick]

Trade Kaprizov. Free up cash and get a premium player in return. 

Something like Jack Hughes to MN, KK to San Jose, Boatload of assets from San Jose to New Jersey.

We would then have enough cash to sign anyone we want.

[Fezig]

I'd say anyone is on the table after last nights performance against the Devils. Blech.

[TCMooch]

10 hours ago, Patrick said:

Trade Kaprizov. Free up cash and get a premium player in return. 

Something like Jack Hughes to MN, KK to San Jose, Boatload of assets from San Jose to New Jersey.

We would then have enough cash to sign anyone we want.

You playing NHL 26 again with trades set to easy and no trade/movement clauses?

[Pewterschmidt]

If this team is running a system the addition of Hughes nullifies any system’s and instead makes every shift pond hockey.  Endless series of button hooks, blue line bobbles and 75 ft passes.  It’s high risk high reward hockey with 43 in lineup.  It’s 43’s world and everyone else (including 97) is just living in it.  I’ve yet to see this group level up with Hughes.  But P-break the record and the standings?  I’ve watched this movie where this group owns the league in January only to be out in 6 games round one.  
only way the Hughes Hail Mary ™️ works is if 97/12/36/38/14 get onto 43’s page

[0 Stanley Cups]

Except for Vancouver, teams are still in the playoff picture and are not selling off yet.  Wait until after the Olympics to see who comes back injured to their respective team.  Maybe we can trade for Trocheck, Schmaltz, or Geno for some center help.

[Scalptrash]

18 hours ago, MNCountryLife said:

Panthers got Marchand for a 2nd round pick.  If we are looking for a rental I'm not sure why we would have to give up a #1 all the time.

I guess you don't know Billy (2nd for Nyquil).

[Will D. Ness]

2 hours ago, Pewterschmidt said:

If this team is running a system the addition of Hughes nullifies any system’s and instead makes every shift pond hockey.  Endless series of button hooks, blue line bobbles and 75 ft passes.  It’s high risk high reward hockey with 43 in lineup.  It’s 43’s world and everyone else (including 97) is just living in it.  I’ve yet to see this group level up with Hughes.  But P-break the record and the standings?  I’ve watched this movie where this group owns the league in January only to be out in 6 games round one.  
only way the Hughes Hail Mary ™️ works is if 97/12/36/38/14 get onto 43’s page

Putting the puck in the open net might help too.  WTF?  Boldy looking like Trenin last night.

I don't mind playing a more open game actually.  We sold the farm for 43 so that means we become more fluid tactically.  I don't think KK97 is complaining either, it suits his game.  

It's a fine line for sure and we need to get there.  If we are not willing to do this, then we shouldn't bring in a top tier Norris guy.  Faber is pushing his limits as well and it's a good thing.

[Pablo]

4 hours ago, Fezig said:

I'd say anyone is on the table after last nights performance against the Devils. Blech.

EEK is absolutely needed for our success.

[MNCountryLife]

The last two games I thought we were clearly the better team.  But for whatever reason we seem unable to score on what appears to be open nets.  What we saw was a frustrated team yesterday in the 3rd period.  We were pushing and we shouldn't have needed to push.  Morning skate needs to be Morning Shoot... so players get used to seeing the puck go in the net they are aiming at.

[mnfaninnc]

On another thread, I recommended a low budget trade to acquire Kotkaniemi. Now that we have assets on the table, Heidt + '26 5th that gives us Kotkaniemi at 50% retention. Kotkaniemi at $2.4m is right in the Sturm pay neighborhood. 

[MNCountryLife]

I see Dean Evason was fired this morning.  That's too bad.  He has a solid D structure but lacks the offensive game plan.  I wonder what is up next for him.

[MNCountryLife]

2 hours ago, Pablo said:

EEK is absolutely needed for our success.

Agreed.  The guy really is crucial to our success.  How many goals do we score when he is screening the goalie?  Lots.  He does so many little things right at the C position that everything becomes just a bit easier for the players around him.  Anyone know if he will be back by the 15th?

[OldDutchChip]

i think it's time to cut ties with Foligno. him, vlady and sturm - that trio needs to be trimmed down to 1. preferably keeping sturm. i'd be looking at marchenko and try to get him. they owe us for Jiri! maybe we ship Jiri back and a 1st in 2027 and Foligno for him? 

Edited January 13 by OldDutchChip

[Pablo]

22 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

Agreed.  The guy really is crucial to our success.  How many goals do we score when he is screening the goalie?  Lots.  He does so many little things right at the C position that everything becomes just a bit easier for the players around him.  Anyone know if he will be back by the 15th?

Day to day. Hopefully the 15th is the day

[MNCountryLife]

5 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

i think it's time to cut ties with Foligno. him, vlady and sturm - that trio needs to be trimmed down to 1. preferably keeping sturm. i'd be looking at marchenko and try to get him. they owe us for Jiri! maybe we ship Jiri back and a 1st in 2027 and Foligno for him? 

I have mixed feelings on both Foligno(2g) and Trenin(3g).  They are board hounds that check ... and while I like that... they have little to no upside.  I would be okay if they were 4th liners.  3rd line wingers with only 5 goals between them in 47 games.  That isn't good.  At what point do you look at production and say it just isn't enough and move on.

[OldDutchChip]

12 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

I have mixed feelings on both Foligno(2g) and Trenin(3g).  They are board hounds that check ... and while I like that... they have little to no upside.  I would be okay if they were 4th liners.  3rd line wingers with only 5 goals between them in 47 games.  That isn't good.  At what point do you look at production and say it just isn't enough and move on.

Honestly - Trenin i have no issues with. His point production is ok but his overall play is excellent. He also delivered last POs and has not been prone to idiotic mistakes like Foligno. I know Foligno wears an A and is liked and appreciated but.....i think it's time. Move Yurov to the red line. Get Marchenko. Make Boldy a C. and roll out - 

Zuccy Ek Kap - Boldy MJ Marchenko - Yurov Trenin Vlady - Henny Harty Sturm

[Dango]

The WILD are most likely in the playoffs and most teams are fighting for a spot so just wait it out until the deadline and there's 5x as many  trade options available ,   or even do the season and you got $$$  from cap increases and expiring contracts ,  can be real serious next year and i think some contracts switch from NTM to 10-15 team NTC .  Make a move with your full arsenal of assets & options  unless theres that for sure thing pops up ,    Im also not sure if other teams will try adding the same type of player we are because most of those  teams already have # 1,2,3, centers .

[MNCountryLife]

54 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

He also delivered last POs and has not been prone to idiotic mistakes like Foligno. I know Foligno wears an A and is liked and appreciated but.....i think it's time.

I did like the play of Trenin last year in the PO.  One of the few bright spots we had.  BG has always tried to have an enforcer on the team.  Foligno still serves that position.  Having never been in an NHL locker room I can only speculate on the importance of having that guy that is willing to stick up for the entire team.  It wouldn't seem needed to me.  But from what I am told... if players don't stick up for each other the locker room starts to fall apart.  If that is true then Foligno is still quite valuable.

[OldDutchChip]

7 minutes ago, MNCountryLife said:

I did like the play of Trenin last year in the PO.  One of the few bright spots we had.  BG has always tried to have an enforcer on the team.  Foligno still serves that position.  Having never been in an NHL locker room I can only speculate on the importance of having that guy that is willing to stick up for the entire team.  It wouldn't seem needed to me.  But from what I am told... if players don't stick up for each other the locker room starts to fall apart.  If that is true then Foligno is still quite valuable.

I can see that but when Foligno is reserved for 4th line, that really helps no one. He'll protect Sturm and Ben Jones? They are not the ones that are going to be targeted. 

He needs to be on the ice, along side our elite producers, to deter any violence on our top guns. But he is not and won't be. He is essentially Reaves. Barking from the bench playing 5-7 mins a night. No one will likely fight him.

Maybe someone will bite or more likely - he will force an opponent and initiate the fight - costing us goals/game/series - which he's done before in previous POs.....so is that really what we need? Don't we have enough bottom 6 enforcement in Harty and Trenin? I think we do.