Does Wild Trading For Artemi Panarin Make Sense?

The Minnesota Wild are in a tough spot. They clearly upgraded their team earlier when they traded for world-class defenseman Quinn Hughes -- but now we're all left wondering if it was actually enough for them to make a decent run in the playoffs.

One way that they could have that possibility become more of a reality is getting even more talent, obviously. And after the New York Rangers have collapsed and wrote another letter saying they are taking a step back to take two steps forward, winger Artemi Panarin is on the trade block.

Adding Panarin to this Wild roster would obviously be a good thing. He's been an all-star level talent ever since he made the trip to North America and would really lift this team's offense to some of the best in the league. But, The Athletic explores this further as they ask the "Does it make sense?" question for every team and this is what Joe Smith had to say for the Wild's fit:

Quote

It makes a little bit of sense

A year ago, we were convinced the Wild would want to team up Kirill Kaprizov with Panarin if Panarin got to free agency. However, we are not so sure anymore. The scoring winger is 34, and it’s hard to believe the Wild are going to want to add another Paul Theofanous client after he leveraged them into giving Kaprizov a record eight-year, $136 million contract last September. Panarin can help as a rental, but the Wild’s more pressing need is a center. — Joe Smith

That, does make sense. A long-term fit for Panarin doesn't really fit the mold of what the Wild are looking for, but as a pure rental as GM Bill Guerin wants the league to know they're not messing around? Sure.

That's Wild

• The Wild need to be holding their breath ahead of the Olympics as injuries become a concern. [Hockey Wilderness]
• Vlad Tarasenko is coming up big at the perfect time for the Wild. [Pioneer Press]

Off the trail...

• The defensive defenseman has become the NHL's newest market inefficiency. [DailyFaceoff]
• Josh Doan has fit in seamlessly since being traded to the Buffalo Sabres and has now been rewarded with a brand-new seven-year contract. [NHL.com]
• Ranking the top 50 players attending the Olympics -- spoiler: Nathan MacKinnon is No. 1. [ESPN]