The Minnesota Wild are getting themselves in on the action of the trade deadline.
According to multiple reports, the Wild have traded winger Brandon Duhaime to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, Minnesota is receiving a third-round draft pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Duhaime, 26, is a pending unrestricted free agent and is set to hit the open market for the first time in his career this summer. Whether or not Colorado will keep him beyond that is still to be seen, but they certainly could do worse than signing him to a contract extension beyond this season for some needed forward depth.
But this isn't about the Avalanche and a player we love heading off to a divisional rival, the Wild received what should end up being a pick in the first 90 or so selections of the 2026 NHL Draft for him, and it's a pure symbol that they are actually willing to sell off some pieces for pure future assets, instead of wavering in the middle.
Compared to what other rental forwards are getting -- like Vladimir Tarasenko going to the Panthers for a third- and a fourth-round pick -- this is excellent business done by Bill Guerin and the Wild.
A fourth-round pick from the 2016 NHL Draft, Duhaime has steadily risen up to the NHL before eventually becoming a mainstay in the Wild's bottom-six forward group for the last three seasons. Known for his speed and tenacity on the puck, the man from Coral Springs, Fla. has brought every bit of effort to become a mainstay in the NHL and has contributed to the Wild through their franchise-best seasons (we are not thinking about this season).
For now, Duhaime's replacement in the Wild's lineup appears to be sniper Adam Beckman. The young winger lined up alongside Connor Dewar and Frederick Gaudreau on the team's fourth line at practice on Thursday before the team faces the Coyotes in Arizona.
Next for the Wild, they have just 24 hours to determine if they want to sell anymore pieces off for the odd draft pick. Dewar's name is out there, as well as Patrick Maroon's as players who could be on different teams after 2:00 p.m. CST on Friday.
Think you could write a story like this? Hockey Wilderness wants you to develop your voice, find an audience, and we'll pay you to do it. Just fill out this form.
- 2
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.