By Bekki Antonelli -
The Minnesota Wild may want to move Ryan Hartman at the deadline, but he’s a hard sell at the moment. The 30-year-old winger has caused more trouble than his current salary allows.
In the 2021-22 season, Hartman had 65 points in 82 games and ended the season +31, a career season for the 2013 first-round pick. However, Hartman had multiple injuries and suspensions in the following two seasons, so he hasn’t played an 82-game season since or had .79 PPG. He had 37 points, a .63 PPG average in 2022-23, and 45 points and a .61 PPG the season after.
Before last season, the Wild signed Hartman to a 3-year, $12 million contract starting in 2024-25. However, he has only 17 points this season in 48 games, lowering his PPG average to .35.
His growing suspension list has also diminished his value. During Minnesota’s February 1 game against the Ottawa Senators, Hartman got called for roughing Tim Stutzle off the faceoff.
After the puck dropped, Stutzle leaned forward, and Hartman raised his elbow and drove Stutzle’s face into the ice. Hartman already had 4 suspensions and 7 fines, so the NHL Department of Player Safety initially suspended him for ten games because he was a repeat offender.
The NHLPA filed an appeal for Ryan Hartman, who argued that he was using his hand for balance and the fall was accidental. Player Safety was unconvinced, so Gary Bettman upheld the suspension but reduced it to 8 games.
Hartman’s lack of production, recent suspension, and high price tag will be discouraging factors if the Wild try to trade him. He has a full no-trade clause for this season, so he would have to agree to the move, further complicating the situation. However, other teams could be interested in Hartman as a potential enforcer, and he may be interested in more ice time elsewhere.
Consider Marcus Foligno. The 33-year-old Minnesota forward has nearly identical stats but with a few key differences. He has 22 points this year and 62 PIM in 61 games (.36 PPG). In the same offseason that the Wild extended Hartman, they signed Foligno to a 4-year, $16 million contract. This season, Foligno has the same cost, similar production, and similar PIM to Hartman.
However, the Wild have gotten good value for Foligno. Bill Guerin would not have named Foligno as an assistant captain if he hadn’t demonstrated leadership ability on the team. Foligno is also +8 this season and only has one prior suspension, which was for 2 games and 3 years ago. He makes the Wild frustrating to play against and picks his fights with purpose.
He started a fight with Vegas Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar on January 12 in retaliation for Kolesar’s hit on David Jiricek.
If Hartman can play more disciplined while continuing to be physical, he could be a great enforcer. Minnesota has this role filled with Foligno, and with the second-worst PK in the league at 70.9%, they can’t afford more penalties.
However, if the Wild want to trade Hartman, they must find a team looking for an enforcer. Many teams already have one, and not every team necessarily needs one.
The New York Islanders rank second to last in penalties with 152, don’t have an enforcer, and need to make a change to clinch a playoff spot. There have been rumors that the Wild want Brock Nelson, but it is unlikely that New York will want to trade him. However, the Islanders might consider trading Anthony Duclair.
Anthony Duclair signed a 4-year, $14 million contract with the Islanders, starting in the 2024-25 season. He also has a no-trade clause and must agree to a trade. The 29-year-old sustained a lower-body injury earlier this season and missed 28 games. Despite being healthy again, the Islanders scratched him for their Monday game against the New York Rangers.
Islanders’ head coach Patrick Roy said he is “not happy” with Duclair’s play and expected more, but also noted he missed many games and is not conditioned. In the 30 games Duclair has played, he has only 9 points in 30 games and has a -10 plus/minus.
Duclair might be coming off a down season, but he had 58 points in 74 during the 2021-22 season for the Florida Panthers before undergoing surgery for his Achilles Tendon. He helped the Panthers make it to the final round of playoffs in 2023, but they sent him to the San Jose Sharks for the 2023-24 season. He was traded again mid-season to the Tampa Bay Lightning, then signed as a free agent by the Islanders for 2024-25.
Since his surgery, Duclair has not had an opportunity to settle in and build team chemistry. He doesn’t rack up penalty minutes, with 8 total this season over 30 games. Considering his lack of conditioning, Duclair would likely fill in gaps rather than drive winning in the playoffs, but he wouldn’t gain penalties for the Wild. Hynes also uses the summer to focus on strength and conditioning and could bring Duclair back to prime by next season.
Hartman suspensions and fines make him a difficult player to keep on the Wild, but he may be effective as an enforcer elsewhere. Trading Hartman for Duclair would solve problems for both teams. Although Hartman and Duclair are currently on multi-year contracts with no trade clauses, they may be willing to move in hopes of more ice time.
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