TSN Team Waiting to talk trades……
The NHL trade deadline is 2 PM CT today. I don’t expect a lot of moves today since there were so many yesterday and the days before. The big names that moved already are: Ryane Clowe, Jaromir Jagr, Derek Roy, Jarome Iginla, Doug Murray, Jay Bouwmeester and some other minor moves.
The Wild were players in trying to get Clowe. A couple of factors led to him being traded to the Rangers. Number 1, he apparently wanted to go to a east coast team and B.) the cost of trading for him and extending his contract was too much. Prior to the season, he was going to be my number 1 target during FA signing this summer. But, that appears out of the question now.
I hope Chuck Fletcher (Wild GM) can move Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Right now, he’s playing well but he’s on his last year of his contract and he likely won’t be re-signed by the Wild. So, they should get something in return for him now; especially when his value is so high. And, he’s a wuss.
Losing PMB, during a playoff push, might sound like something a winning team shouldn’t do; however, I would argue Jason Zucker would be recalled and would play just as well, if not better. In fact, I credit Zucker will helping turn the Wild season around when he was first brought up. He turned the second line into a factor and contributed to the success of Seto and Cullen. If he didn’t get illegally checked and hurt, as a result, Zucker would more than likely still be on the Wild team and probably still a productive member of the second line. Zucker is a fast skater that isn’t afraid to shoot the puck. Something PMB lacks.
Jason Pominville
Michael Russo, the best beat writer in town for any sport, is reporting that the Wild is in talks with Buffalo for their Captain, Jason Pominville, who is apparently on the trading block. Pominville would be a great addition and he has a year left on his contract. So, he isn’t a “rental player”. Although, I would think the assets to obtain him would be plenty, for that reason. Especially because there are probably a lot of teams interested.
Either way, we will find out in less than two hours. Go WILD!
UPDATE (12:45 PM)
If you don’t want to be traded from your team…for God’s sake, DON’T have a baby!
UPDATE (1:15 PM)
According to Russo, the Wild are on the verge of a “big trade” as one of their young goalies seem to be part of the package. He is speculating that Matt Hackett would be leaving via trade. He adds:
More to come as this evolves, but I do still know the Wild is heavily going after Buffalo’s Jason Pominville.
UPDATE (1:45)
The Wild has made a trade to acquire Buffalo Sabre’s RW Jason Pominville, highlighted above. This is a huge addition to the team. I haven’t heard exactly what the Wild had to give up…but the rumors include both Matt Hackett and Johan Larsson, two highly rated prospects and possibly additional draft picks. Here is a tweet from Russo that just came across the wire after I typed this update…
Treats for Kodi 