NHL Trade Deadline 2011: Which Wild Prospects Are Trade Bait?

It has been made quite clear for awhile that GM Chuck Fletcher would be fully comfortable making a push for the playoffs with the Wild's current players. However, with his captain sidelined, it would seem his unwillingness to sacrifice a part of the organization's future has loosened up.

Now, which prospects do the Wild have that might act as trade bait?

Very much like the Wild's professional roster, the Wild's prospect depth chart have similar weaknesses in offense, while boasting a solid defensive core and talented goaltenders.

Seeing how the Wild have a deep defensive pipeline, as well as being blessed with several talented goaltenders,we'll take a look at a few prospects that could potentially bring in a NHLer during trade deadline.

As a side-note, Professor Lyons, I want my A...

Other Defensemen

The Wild have a logjam of goaltenders, so it would only make sense that they would be willing to part with one of them in order to fill up holes in other areas, such as forwards.

Hackett has been having a good rookie season with the Aeros. When Anton Khudobin was called up to the Wild, Hackett stepped up in assume the starting goaltender role, posting a .930 save percentage in those 7 games. But while he would demand a fine price, like Scandella, I have a hard time imagining Fletcher trading such an important piece of the future for some rental.

Other Goaltenders

However, with Endras coming to North America next season, as well as Hackett playing another year with the Aeros (who knows where Dimples might be...), it allows the Wild to trade Darcy Kuemper, who has been having a terrific season in the WHL. He is the leader in every major goaltending categories (1.91 GAA, 0.931 save percentage, 39 wins, 11 shutouts). And while personally, I would love to see a Hackett-Kuemper duo in Houston, if the Wild realistically want to attract some talent through trades, they have to give to get.

Cody Almond has always been an interesting prospect for Wild fans. Due to his extreme versatility, no one was extremely sure what he would develop into. However, lately it seems he has made an emphasis on becoming a two-way player that could possibly develop into a smart, safe third line player.

There is hope that Almond would be able to pick up his game with the absence of the Wild's centermen, but losing Almond for a proven NHLer would be a fair price.

Other Forwards

Future

After much talk about the Wild keeping their future intact, reality comes back and hits the team hard with injuries to the captain Mikko Koivu, as well as Kyle Brodziak. In a race for the playoffs, every point is valuable and already suffering from offensive droughts, having its top player injured doesn't help.

Trade deadline is approaching, so the Wild will have a few days to apply bandages through trades. But seemingly comfortable with its pro roster, the team will have to then trade away a part of their future.

But as long as the cost balances out the gain, I'll be satisfied (we do NOT want Chris Simon...).