Speculation: Trade and Free Agency Talk - 2022-23 Edition - Postseason Success can't be a Myth!

[Digitalbooya]

Now that Carolina has been eliminated, I wonder if they could be in the mix for Fiala. They only scored more than 2 goals once in 7 games against the Rangers. They also should have a good amount of cap space, especially if they let Trocheck walk in free agency (which wouldn't be that outlandish considering they signed Kotkaniemi to an 8 year deal).

Necas could be a really nice piece in a Fiala trade. He had a down year and Fiala would be an upgrade for the Canes. Would Necas and maybe a 2023 first be too rich?

They had trouble scoring in the playoffs so they trade for our playoff no show?

 

[AKL]

I shouldn't do this to myself, but there are more than one bread crumbs making me wonder if the plan really is to trade Fiala and not Dumba. There are more bread crumbs that make me believe the plan is still to trade Fiala, but this is where I'm at:

- I think it goes without saying that Dumba hasn't been worth his cap hit, but this is still just my opinion

- Guerin defending Dumba, to me, could be a legit defense of one of his captains, but it could also be an attempt to not have the fanbase hating him while he's on his way out after what he's done here, on and off the ice (though, no one hates him, we just recognize how money works)

- Guerin refused to elaborate or even say anything about trying to sign Dumba to an extension when he can in a month (this could just be a sign that Dumba is out after next year anyway, regardless of Fiala)

- He walked back most of his comments about Fiala on the Barreiro show when he was talking to Russo the following week, reassuring that we love Kevin and he really wasn't put in a consistent position to succeed til Boldy got here

- This is me connecting dots on my own, but he gave Fiala a two year prove it contract and Fiala proved it despite the last bullet point, then gave him another one year deal and Fiala elevated his game again, especially when given consisten (good) linemates, could make him actually come around to keeping him around long term

- Bill still sees Addison as a big part of this squad moving forward, and the Merrill and Goligoski extensions, along with keeping Middleton (also in his plans) only make so much sense if someone else isn't here

- Last but not least, top four RHD have always been highly coveted, and with Seravalli saying the other day how much GMs are looking for RHS guys that can skate, and Dumba being one of the few potential available, and with the market for wingers being more plentiful, maybe he realizes he actually can get a better return for Dumba

Lots of assumptions by me, lots of connecting dots that may or may not actually be there, and inhaling a lot of copium, but until such a time as Fiala is actually on another team, I'm going to continue to hope we can keep him.

Whether they're left handed or 2-3 years away or not, we do have a much better defensive prospect pool than offensive pool, and that can't be ignored

 

[DeagleJenkins]

I shouldn't do this to myself, but there are more than one bread crumbs making me wonder if the plan really is to trade Fiala and not Dumba. There are more bread crumbs that make me believe the plan is still to trade Fiala, but this is where I'm at:

- I think it goes without saying that Dumba hasn't been worth his cap hit, but this is still just my opinion

- Guerin defending Dumba, to me, could be a legit defense of one of his captains, but it could also be an attempt to not have the fanbase hating him while he's on his way out after what he's done here, on and off the ice (though, no one hates him, we just recognize how money works)

- Guerin refused to elaborate or even say anything about trying to sign Dumba to an extension when he can in a month (this could just be a sign that Dumba is out after next year anyway, regardless of Fiala)

- He walked back most of his comments about Fiala on the Barreiro show when he was talking to Russo the following week, reassuring that we love Kevin and he really wasn't put in a consistent position to succeed til Boldy got here

- This is me connecting dots on my own, but he gave Fiala a two year prove it contract and Fiala proved it despite the last bullet point, then gave him another one year deal and Fiala elevated his game again, especially when given consisten (good) linemates, could make him actually come around to keeping him around long term

- Bill still sees Addison as a big part of this squad moving forward, and the Merrill and Goligoski extensions, along with keeping Middleton (also in his plans) only make so much sense if someone else isn't here

- Last but not least, top four RHD have always been highly coveted, and with Seravalli saying the other day how much GMs are looking for RHS guys that can skate, and Dumba being one of the few potential available, and with the market for wingers being more plentiful, maybe he realizes he actually can get a better return for Dumba

Lots of assumptions by me, lots of connecting dots that may or may not actually be there, and inhaling a lot of copium, but until such a time as Fiala is actually on another team, I'm going to continue to hope we can keep him.

Whether they're left handed or 2-3 years away or not, we do have a much better defensive prospect pool than offensive pool, and that can't be ignored

that is quite a lot of dot connecting and i hope you are accurate with it.

 

[57special]

Getting a contact high from AKL

 

[Wabit]

I shouldn't do this to myself, but there are more than one bread crumbs making me wonder if the plan really is to trade Fiala and not Dumba. There are more bread crumbs that make me believe the plan is still to trade Fiala, but this is where I'm at:

- I think it goes without saying that Dumba hasn't been worth his cap hit, but this is still just my opinion

- Guerin defending Dumba, to me, could be a legit defense of one of his captains, but it could also be an attempt to not have the fanbase hating him while he's on his way out after what he's done here, on and off the ice (though, no one hates him, we just recognize how money works)

- Guerin refused to elaborate or even say anything about trying to sign Dumba to an extension when he can in a month (this could just be a sign that Dumba is out after next year anyway, regardless of Fiala)

- He walked back most of his comments about Fiala on the Barreiro show when he was talking to Russo the following week, reassuring that we love Kevin and he really wasn't put in a consistent position to succeed til Boldy got here

- This is me connecting dots on my own, but he gave Fiala a two year prove it contract and Fiala proved it despite the last bullet point, then gave him another one year deal and Fiala elevated his game again, especially when given consisten (good) linemates, could make him actually come around to keeping him around long term

- Bill still sees Addison as a big part of this squad moving forward, and the Merrill and Goligoski extensions, along with keeping Middleton (also in his plans) only make so much sense if someone else isn't here

- Last but not least, top four RHD have always been highly coveted, and with Seravalli saying the other day how much GMs are looking for RHS guys that can skate, and Dumba being one of the few potential available, and with the market for wingers being more plentiful, maybe he realizes he actually can get a better return for Dumba

Lots of assumptions by me, lots of connecting dots that may or may not actually be there, and inhaling a lot of copium, but until such a time as Fiala is actually on another team, I'm going to continue to hope we can keep him.

Whether they're left handed or 2-3 years away or not, we do have a much better defensive prospect pool than offensive pool, and that can't be ignored

I mean this in the nicest way possible:
Step away from the crazy wall before you end up needing a grippy sock vacation.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

I shouldn't do this to myself, but there are more than one bread crumbs making me wonder if the plan really is to trade Fiala and not Dumba. There are more bread crumbs that make me believe the plan is still to trade Fiala, but this is where I'm at:

- I think it goes without saying that Dumba hasn't been worth his cap hit, but this is still just my opinion

- Guerin defending Dumba, to me, could be a legit defense of one of his captains, but it could also be an attempt to not have the fanbase hating him while he's on his way out after what he's done here, on and off the ice (though, no one hates him, we just recognize how money works)

- Guerin refused to elaborate or even say anything about trying to sign Dumba to an extension when he can in a month (this could just be a sign that Dumba is out after next year anyway, regardless of Fiala)

- He walked back most of his comments about Fiala on the Barreiro show when he was talking to Russo the following week, reassuring that we love Kevin and he really wasn't put in a consistent position to succeed til Boldy got here

- This is me connecting dots on my own, but he gave Fiala a two year prove it contract and Fiala proved it despite the last bullet point, then gave him another one year deal and Fiala elevated his game again, especially when given consisten (good) linemates, could make him actually come around to keeping him around long term

- Bill still sees Addison as a big part of this squad moving forward, and the Merrill and Goligoski extensions, along with keeping Middleton (also in his plans) only make so much sense if someone else isn't here

- Last but not least, top four RHD have always been highly coveted, and with Seravalli saying the other day how much GMs are looking for RHS guys that can skate, and Dumba being one of the few potential available, and with the market for wingers being more plentiful, maybe he realizes he actually can get a better return for Dumba

Lots of assumptions by me, lots of connecting dots that may or may not actually be there, and inhaling a lot of copium, but until such a time as Fiala is actually on another team, I'm going to continue to hope we can keep him.

Whether they're left handed or 2-3 years away or not, we do have a much better defensive prospect pool than offensive pool, and that can't be ignored

I'm sliding the other way. I'm getting more and more worried that Guerin is going to deem a late 1st and meh prospect as acceptable.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

I'm sliding the other way. I'm getting more and more worried that Guerin is going to deem a late 1st and meh prospect as acceptable.

His comment about not needing to win a trade does elude to this being extremely possible. I hope he values Fiala highly enough as a player that he doesnt think that is a fair trade.

 

[TwiztedHeat]

Yep. Wright, Slaf, Nemec, and Jiricek (before his injury) are the only ones of the draft class that I like more than Raty or Holtz. All four of them should be gone by 7oa.

I’d personally take Cooley over those two, but yeah otherwise agree

 

[Jesus comma Brodin]

Now that Carolina has been eliminated, I wonder if they could be in the mix for Fiala. They only scored more than 2 goals once in 7 games against the Rangers. They also should have a good amount of cap space, especially if they let Trocheck walk in free agency (which wouldn't be that outlandish considering they signed Kotkaniemi to an 8 year deal).

Necas could be a really nice piece in a Fiala trade. He had a down year and Fiala would be an upgrade for the Canes. Would Necas and maybe a 2023 first be too rich?

I think this is more a result of Igor being god-like than Carolina being unable to score. He is the only reason the Rangers even made it past the Pens

 

[DeagleJenkins]

I think this is more a result of Igor being god-like than Carolina being unable to score. He is the only reason the Rangers even made it past the Pens

trouba knocking out crosby helped a lot too

 

[Digitalbooya]

Ask Russo, part 1: Fiala, Fiala and, uh, more Fiala

Apparently Wild fans are worried that Kevin Fiala may be traded or something?

theathletic.com

Also, as of now, the Wild have three picks in the top 100 next year, which is considered a deeper draft.

Can someone explain to me where the third pick in the top 100 is for 2023? I only see our 1st and 2nd. The 3rd was traded for Deslaurier.

 

[IAHockey25]

Ask Russo, part 1: Fiala, Fiala and, uh, more Fiala

Apparently Wild fans are worried that Kevin Fiala may be traded or something?

theathletic.com

Can someone explain to me where the third pick in the top 100 is for 2023? I only see our 1st and 2nd. The 3rd was traded for Deslaurier.

Not signing Johansson gives them a 2nd rounder

 

[Wabit]

Not signing Johansson gives them a 2nd rounder

The wording in the CBA is the comp pick is for the draft immediately following. So that "should" mean that they get an extra 2nd this year.

Since it's something that never happens I don't think Russo (anyone really) knows when the Wild get comp pick until the NHL awards it.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Not signing Johansson gives them a 2nd rounder

That’s not a 2023 pick though. It’s cited above that in the article that they get a 2nd round pick “next month” since he isn’t going to be signed.

 

[Webster]

Did you read Russo's huge mailbag? Tons of Fiala stuff, ending with "I'm very tired of Fiala questions"

So when it comes to the three big dollar guys who can be traded: Fiala gone, Zucc and Dumba will stay...if you believe Russo.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Did you read Russo's huge mailbag? Tons of Fiala stuff, ending with "I'm very tired of Fiala questions"

So when it comes to the three big dollar guys who can be traded: Fiala gone, Zucc and Dumba will stay...if you believe Russo.

He likes to make it about himself.

It's been pretty commonplace for this organization to trade away prime-aged top 3 offensive players in its history, so I can understand why he'd be tired of the questions.

 

[Wabit]

He likes to make it about himself.

It's been pretty commonplace for this organization to trade away prime-aged top 3 offensive players in its history, so I can understand why he'd be tired of the questions.

The list of prime age (under 30) top-3 offensive players (ppg) is 3 players long for the Wild. Kap, Fiala, and Gaborik. Gabby walked as a UFA. Kap is still here. Fiala will be traded. So 1 is commonplace?

If that list goes to 70p in a season add Koivu. He walked as a old man.

If that list goes to 60p in a season that adds Granny (trade, fell off a cliff), Zucker (trade, fell off a cliff), Havlat (trade, fell off a cliff), PMB (fell off a cliff, walked).

The Wild have had nice middle-6 talent, but very little top line talent in their history.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

The list of prime age (under 30) top-3 offensive players (ppg) is 3 players long for the Wild. Kap, Fiala, and Gaborik. Gabby walked as a UFA. Kap is still here. Fiala will be traded. So 1 is commonplace?

If that list goes to 70p in a season add Koivu. He walked as a old man.

If that list goes to 60p in a season that adds Granny (trade, fell off a cliff), Zucker (trade, fell off a cliff), Havlat (trade, fell off a cliff), PMB (fell off a cliff, walked).

The Wild have had nice middle-6 talent, but very little top line talent in their history.

Yes. Yes it is.

 

[TanSor]

They had trouble scoring in the playoffs so they trade for our playoff no show?

I wouldn't call Fiala a "no show" in the playoffs, he played fine for the most part, just couldn't get a goal to save his life this year. But I get your point. He did have 3 goals and 4 points against Vancouver in the play-in series a few seasons back and was fantastic all 4 games, so it's not like he has never scored in the playoffs in his life. In the regular season Fiala had more points than any player on their roster and while Boldy looked really good this season he was still a rookie and he's definitely not Aho, Svechnikov, or Teravainen, at least not yet. Put Fiala on a line with one of those three in the playoffs and it's hard to imagine that he wouldn't produce.

 

[Spurgeon]

I wouldn't call Fiala a "no show" in the playoffs, he played fine for the most part, just couldn't get a goal to save his life this year. But I get your point. He did have 3 goals and 4 points against Vancouver in the play-in series a few seasons back and was fantastic all 4 games, so it's not like he has never scored in the playoffs in his life. In the regular season Fiala had more points than any player on their roster and while Boldy looked really good this season he was still a rookie and he's definitely not Aho, Svechnikov, or Teravainen, at least not yet. Put Fiala on a line with one of those three in the playoffs and it's hard to imagine that he wouldn't produce.

I think he’s a bit of a headcase, similar to how Kuemper was early in his career here. Kuemper would let in a weak one and then the floodgates would open. If Fiala screws up, it bothers him so much that it negatively impacts the rest of his game. He gets tilted easily, to put it in poker terminology.

Fiala was on a complete tear and looked unstoppable up until 3-4 games before the end of the season. He noticeable started fumbling the puck more and just didn’t look confident whatsoever. I personally thought he had to have a wrist/arm injury with how poorly he was playing the puck. He’s a streaky player though and if he kept that previous momentum into the playoffs, there’s not a doubt in my mind we’d still be playing right now. He’s a series shifting talent and exactly the type of player to keep around if this team wants a chance to pull off a miracle run. It’s unfortunate that there’s a 99.9% he’s gone this off-season.

 

[AKL]

Ask Russo, part 1: Fiala, Fiala and, uh, more Fiala

Apparently Wild fans are worried that Kevin Fiala may be traded or something?

theathletic.com

Can someone explain to me where the third pick in the top 100 is for 2023? I only see our 1st and 2nd. The 3rd was traded for Deslaurier.

It's also extremely normal to have three picks in the top 100, as that is what is given to each team by default. It always bugs me when he points to that as some boon that we have.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

It's also extremely normal to have three picks in the top 100, as that is what is given to each team by default. It always bugs me when he points to that as some boon that we have.

you mean 32 x 3 is less than 100?!

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Interesting points from AKL but I am more of the opinion that Guerin is a terrible poker player and realizes that he has probably splashed it around too much that he has no intent to keep Fiala and all of his GM pals know it. Now he's trying hard to at least let people think he has an ace up his sleeve now that trade season is starting.

 

[Digitalbooya]

If a team came calling about Hartman and offered a 1st+2nd for him, would you pull the trigger on that trade?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

If a team came calling about Hartman and offered a 1st+2nd for him, would you pull the trigger on that trade?

Where's the 1st?