From Michael Russo's (covers the Wild) Athletic article this week (warning - might make you sick)....
I know you have mentioned the Wild have interest in Brock Nelson. Would there be any chance of a trade sooner rather than later? Or would this likely be a deadline type of deal?
Right now, unless there’s a third-party conduit and/or the Islanders eat a significant portion of his $6 million AAV, we can’t even fathom how a trade gets done. The Wild have no cap space assuming they don’t have a player on season-ending LTIR at some point. There’s also no guarantee the Islanders trade him. Lou Lamoriello has a history of letting guys walk for nothing. (See: Zach Parise.) So, we have to see what the cap space is as we get closer to the deadline. Also, I really think the Wild are signing him this offseason, so how much do you really want to give up for somebody you can get this summer without getting rid of assets? Plus, remember, the Wild traded their 2025 first-round pick already in the Jiricek deal. — Russo
Who are the 3-5 most likely players, current roster players or prospects, that are likely to be moved should Guerin make a trade for Nelson or someone else?
The Wild have so many players with some level of no-trade protection that it’s not like they have a ton of flexibility here. But since they don’t have this year’s first-round pick, they’d have to deal roster players, prospects or a future first-round pick. Any Nelson deadline deal would require some creativity and the Islanders taking on a chunk of his $6 million AAV. We’ve already talked about how Rossi is a trade candidate if he isn’t signed, though that move would likely not happen until the offseason. They could dangle, let’s say, a Riley Heidt in a deal or an Ohgren or Carson Lambos. — Smith.