Wilderness Walk: Grist for the Mill

There’s been a little activity in the Wild camp lately, with Gustav Olofsson being re-signed and Christian Folin not given a qualifying offer. To be clear, this doesn’t mean the Wild have cut ties with Folin (at least not yet), but rather that they do not wish to give him a raise. His salary was under one million dollars, so any qualifying offer necessitated a raise. Most likely, the Wild want to keep Folin but don’t feel he deserves a raise, especially in the current cap situation.

Trade rumors are still swirling around the Wild, with Marco Scandella at the center of many of them. I think Pizza is due for a much improved year after he has had to deal with a great deal over the past two seasons, so I would be disappointed to see him go. However, he is a good piece to attract some help for the Wild and his salary is large enough that moving him would actually create some cap relief. Stick around the Hockey Wilderness for any updates on the Wild’s moves and other developments!

Wild News

As Wild turns to free agency, don't count out a significant trade - StarTribune.com
All the team's activities Monday indicate a trade could be around the corner. Some kind of deal is needed in order for the Wild to free up salary cap money for free agency.

Vegas-raised Zucker has high hopes for NHL in town where he grew up - StarTribune.com
As much as Jason Zucker tries to dodge the Vegas strip, he'll have no choice next March 16 when the Wild's scheduled to play its first-ever game against the expansion Golden Knights

AHL players might be in line for NHL roles with Minnesota Wild
MN Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher noted that the Wild might have to "invent a fourth line" using the farm system. Here are five minor leaguers that should have an opportunity to make the NHL roster with the MN Wild as soon as next season.

Off the Trail

30 Thoughts: What is the trade value of a first-round pick? - Sportsnet.ca
The Calgary Flames have a window of opportunity opening in front of them and decided to go for it by acquiring Travis Hamonic at a steep price. But what is the value of a first-round pick anyway?

Rumor Roundup: Trade speculation continues for Duchene, Galchenyuk | The Hockey News
Blockbuster deals ahead of the draft ramped up speculation that major names would be on the move ahead of free agency. With days to go before July 1, who could be on the move?

Winners and losers of the 2017 NHL draft | The Hockey News
The trade fireworks we expected didn't happen. But which teams made out best after two days of drafting, and which want a do-over?

Rumor Rundown: Shattenkirk, Gryba, Phaneuf, More Updates
Rumors are out there on a number of NHL defensemen including Kevin Shattenkirk, Dion Phaneuf, and Eric Gryba.