By Kalisha Turnipseed -
The Minnesota Wild must upgrade their top-six. Mats Zuccarello is still injured, and they are stuck with slotting both Vladimir Tarasenko and Marcus Johansson in their top six. Both Marco Rossi and Joel Eriksson Ek have to deal with their production plummeting when they’re not playing with Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy due to Minnesota’s lack of scoring depth.
That isn’t sustainable for the team. Therefore, Guerin should look at the trade market to bolster the Wild’s scoring depth. Philadelphia Flyers right wing Owen Tippett might be available, and he fits the description of a top-six wing.
His stats alone should earn him a spot on Bill Guerin’s wishlist, especially given his affordability.
2024-25 Stats (All Situations)
- Blocked Shots: 63 (2nd on Flyers, 39th in NHL)
- Takeaways: 32 (1st on Flyers, T-24th in NHL)
- Goals Above Expected (GAE): 4.1 (2nd on Flyers, T-58th in NHL)
- Goals Per 60 Minutes (G/60): 0.97 (3rd in Flyers, T-138th in NHL)
- Points Per 60 Minutes (P/60): 2.1 (T-3rd on Flyers, T-149th in NHL)
- Shots Per 60 Minutes (S/60): 9.16 (1st on Flyers, 46th in NHL)
-
Shot Attempts Per 60 Minutes (SAT/60): 20.66 (1st on Flyers, 14th in NHL)
- Kaprizov is 15th with 20.26
- Shot On Goal Per Game (S/G): 2.4 (2nd on Flyers, T-67th in NHL)
- Shot Attempts Per Game (SAT/G): 5.5 (1st on Flyers, T-30th in NHL)
- On-Ice Goals Percentage (OIG%): 51.4% (3rd on Flyers, T-233rd in NHL)
Tippett played a sound two-way game with the Flyers last year. He isn’t just a one-dimensional winger with a lethal shot. He’s someone who fits Hynes’ system because he can play responsible minutes defensively. It’s something Guerin would appreciate because he prefers big-bodied forwards. He’s also someone who can pile on shot attempts since he finished ahead of Kaprizov last year.
Boldy and Tippett can be shades of Boldy and Kevin Fiala
Minnesota’s offense felt more complete when Fiala was here. However, they couldn't afford him in the cap crunch and traded him for Brock Faber. While I don't expect Tippett to have the playmaking skills like Fiala, he can be a pure finisher that Boldy desperately needs. Tippet also possesses excellent straight-line speed, which will aid in breakout passing.
The Wild will be able to frequently give Kaprizov a break because they can start Boldy and Tippett together in a game. Eriksson Ek will likely be their center, forming a reliable scoring line that is effective in all situations.
Tippett plays with Trevor Zegras, who is Boldy’s former teammate from the US National Development Team. Zegras isn’t as good as Boldy and doesn’t have the size to win puck battles. Boldy would be an upgrade over Zegras in every aspect.
Tippett's contract can become a bargain
$6.2 million is a little steep for Tippett, who hasn’t exceeded 60 points yet. However, he’s only 26 years old, and he can break out into 60 points in the right setting. The Wild won’t have to deal with extending Tippett. He’ll be 33 years old once his contract expires in 2032. That means the Wild will have Tippett for his prime years, in which he can still become a 30-goal scorer.
The power play will be more lethal
Option 1:
Eriksson Ek
Tippett - Kaprizov - Boldy
Buium
Option 2:
Eriksson Ek
Kaprizov - Tippett - Boldy
Buium
The Wild’s power play is already showing early signs of being good, but now they can be the best power play because Tippett completes the top unit. The Wild have an elite power play QB in Zeev Buium, who's making an early impact. Kaprizov and Boldy have been electrifying.
Teams still cross-check and mug Eriksson Ek around the net, but he still scores on rebounds. Now they have a right winger who can score from Alex Ovechkin's office. Tippett can also serve as a great bumper, too.
Adding Tippett would move Zuccarello to the second unit once he returns, which will impact Rossi and Tarasenko. Instead of Johansson, you can play Ryan Hartman as the net-front to aggravate the goalie. Jared Spurgeon is just right to play the point. You want that kind of stability to defend short-handed chances. Zuccarello’s the QB.
3 ways the Wild can trade for Tippett
Trade 1
- To Flyers: Yakov Trenin, Liam Ohgren, and 2028 2nd round pick
- To Wild: Tippett and 2028 3rd round pick
Trenin would be the odd man out. Marcus Foligno has an NMC, which is still puzzling to this day. Marcus Johansson continues to play a premium role because Guerin and Hynes love his game. Ryan Hartman is likely staying because he’s the Wild’s store-brand Brad Marchand.
In the offseason, Trenin improved his skating so he can play higher in the lineup. While he's still a bottom-six forward, he can serve as a valuable net front presence and make some underrated plays. Ohgren will also be the odd man out. He isn't playing in the team's top-six anytime soon.
Ohgren will serve better on a rebuilding team that will be patient with his development. The Wild typically wants immediate production from young players when they’re on the NHL roster. Tippett's a more seasoned version of Ohgren, but Tippett's a right-shot wing. Wild can use more right-handed shooters.
Trade 2
- To Flyers: Trenin, David Jiricek, and 2028 2nd round pick
- To Wild: Tippett and 2027 3rd round pick
It may be time for the Wild to trade Jiricek, who they haven’t used regularly in the NHL. Minnesota hoped a change of scenery would get Jiricek going, but the Wild is trying to win; Jiricek’s development will have to wait. The Flyers could use Jiricek, who can benefit their power play. They'll be patient with his growth.
Trade 3
- To Flyers: Jonas Brodin, David Jiricek, and a 2026 3rd-round pick
- To Wild: Tippett and Jamie Drysdale
The Wild could use a scoring winger to take the weight off of Kaprizov and Boldy, and another offensive defenseman to take pressure off Buium. While Spurgeon's presence is solid on the power play, the upside of Drysdale can help elevate the second power play when Buium's not on the ice. This trade gives Buium a Robin!
Minnesota has put itself in a situation where it needs to extend Spurgeon one to two years to support Brock Faber with shutdown minutes. Replacing Brodin won't be easy because he's easily the team's best skating defenseman who can shut down the league’s best. However, he isn't always available in the lineup due to injury. Brodin would still be the best veteran mentor for Jiricek in a new environment.
The Wild could bring in St. Paul’s Ryan McDonagh, who won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019-20 and 2020-21. He'd be a cheap top-four signing for a couple of years. Perhaps he can stabilize Drysdale while Faber and Buium play together? Spurgeon and Middleton can reunite and be a great third pairing.
Minnesota has other options, such as Daemon Hunt, whom they reclaimed off waivers, and Carson Lambos, who can play behind Buium and Middleton. However, they don't bring McDonagh’s veteran experience. However, I'd like to see how Lambos or Hunt looks alongside Drysdale. Middleton and Spurgeon are technically your top pairing, which is a solid top pair. Buium and Drysdale joining forces could enable the Wild to play at a higher level.
The Wild need to upgrade their top-six, and Tippett is a good start towards them doing that. That will help the Wild have another top-six caliber player until Zuccarello returns to the lineup and reunites with Kaprizov, which will then move Tarasenko and Johansson to the bottom six.
Tippett should be excited for a new start, especially being on the top power play where he can grow into a 30-goal scorer. Will he reach 40? That remains to be seen. We just know that Tarasenko or Johansson won’t get top-six minutes over Tippett, which is the main goal. The Wild aren't trying to win in 2025-26, but will be in a better place to contend in 2026-27 or 2027-28.
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