By Kalisha Turnipseed -
It's time for the Minnesota Wild to add another superstar. Kirill Kaprizov isn't enough to help the Wild get over the playoff hump, especially playing in an elite Central Division and Western Conference. Minnesota is too dependent on its prospect pool to drive to win. However, prospects take time to adjust to the NHL and may not make an impact soon enough to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota after his contract expires. Kaprizov is the Wild’s franchise player, and they need to keep him here.
Mitch Marner is a star player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Auston Matthews is their franchise cornerstone. It would likely take a lot for Toronto to move Marner, but they may trade him if a team presents the right offer. Like the Wild, the Leafs are looking for answers to why they've endured playoff disappointments.
Marner will become an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) in 2025-26 and likely cash in on his next extension. It’s unlikely that the Leafs would change one of their cornerstones, but they also must consider their cap situation. Therefore, the Wild need to be aggressive and enter the Marner sweepstakes.
Marner has a No-Movement Clause (NMC) that prevents the Leafs and Wild from making a trade. However, the Wild may get Marner to waive his NMC. Let's use Matthew Tkachuk as a comparison trade example for Marner.
Tkachuk was enduring first-round exits with the Calgary Flames and was uncommitted to Calgary. Therefore, the Flames traded Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, and a conditional first-round pick in 2025. The Panthers are contenders, and Tkachuk has been an excellent cornerstone for Florida alongside Aleksander Barkov. Kaprizov and Marner can duplicate the star combination of Tkachuk and Barkov.
How can the Wild bring in Marner? It will start with trading Matt Boldy, opening up cap space to extend Marner. Boldy represents Huberdeau in this case. Boldy's been a pleasant surprise for the Wild as part of their core four, but he's not a superstar with experience like Marner. Can Boldy become a superstar someday? Maybe, but he isn’t yet. Marner can replace Boldy's skillset. While Marner doesn't have Boldy's size, he's more skilled and a game-breaking player.
The Wild should move Riley Heidt, who represents Schwindt as a top prospect. Danila Yurov is untouchable because he’s producing against professionals in Russia. Experts don’t project Heidt to be a 100-point scorer, but seeing him as a top-six talent in the NHL is not unreasonable. Marner has a 100-point upside since Kaprizov is a proven 100-point scorer. Marner would complement Kaprizov more immediately than any prospect.
To continue moving cap space, the Wild should have Frederick Gaudreau waive his Modified No-Trade Clause (M-NTC). That should create around $9.1 million of cleared cap space to extend Marner. Gaudreau would thrive as Toronto’s fourth-line center. The Wild should also look into moving Declan Chisholm as someone who can fulfill depth purposes on the blueline behind Morgan Reilly. Chisholm won't be expensive to extend, but Minnesota needs to save money to extend Brock Faber because he’s becoming their best defenseman.
The Wild can likely complete the trade by moving a conditional first-round pick in 2025, much like the Panthers did for Tkachuk. The terms are that it becomes a first if Minnesota reaches the Western Conference Finals. If not, it becomes a second. General manager Brad Treliving can live with knowing he's getting a potential first, Boldy, Heidt, and Chisholm. The Wild also moved Gaudreau's contract for a superstar, which is sweet.
Marner will excel playing on the top line with Kaprizov, where they can create scoring magic. Pairing them would allow Joel Eriksson Ek to be an effective two-way center playing with two high-end producers. They become the 2015 draft line, capable of doing damage offensively at even strength and on the power play, which is what the Wild desperately lack.
Marner would give the Wild a lethal top power-play unit. Marner is a better playmaker than Mats Zuccarello. Marner will be able to set up Kaprizov a lot for goals. However, Marner can also finish.
Marner won't waive his clause unless he’s more likely to get a contract extension with a new team. The cap will open up in 2025-26 for the Wild, allowing Guerin to take advantage of pursuing Marner. Matthews signed a four-year extension worth $53 million ($13.25 million AAV) with the Leafs instead of signing a long-term deal. Could this spell the end of the Matthews era in Toronto? If so, Marner may not be staying much longer.
Should the Wild consider offering Marner a seven-year extension worth anywhere from $12.75 million to $13 million AAV? Marner has leverage due to his NMC. He isn't moving unless he's got a favorable long-term contract. If the Wild can offer Marner an extension close to what Matthews is making, then Marner will likely consider waiving it.
Marner has been productive in the playoffs despite the Leafs facing early-round eliminations. Marner has scored 50 points in 57 career playoff games, which is close enough to a point-per-game. That would give the Wild primary scoring when they need it the most alongside Kaprizov.
Adding Marner would help Eriksson Ek's production. Eriksson Ek always came up short regarding winning the Selke trophy. If Eriksson Ek plays with Kaprizov and Marner all year, he'll reach point-per-game production, including scoring 40 goals. Eriksson Ek is the perfect center to bring out the best in Kaprizov and Marner.
The Wild are building around their superstar, Kaprizov, by adding another superstar to help take the load off Kaprizov. Marner will be motivated to help the Wild get over the hump. A change of scenery will be good for Marner to learn about the hockey culture in Minnesota, and Kaprizov is pleased with the addition of Marner.
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