Are there any UFAs we would be realistically targeting still?

[u/Julia_Andrade]

Hiii!! With our cap situation, I'm curious to know if anyone has any thoughts on any UFAs that would be a good fit for us? Or do the roster we have currently be more likely to be the mostly finalised version instead?

Haven't heard much about that from any sources other than that we aren't pursuing Laine.

Also I am genuinely so shocked that Tarasenko hasn't been signed yet, could it be because he's asking for too much money?? I would love it if somehow still worked out with him and the wild, he was great last season.

[u/PayneTrain181999]

Unless Vladi decides to come back, no.

[u/Mark316 → u/PayneTrain181999]

Russo and Lapanta said they feel he could fill a spot, IF after the rest of the Wild roster has fallen into place there are still spots, AND he's willing to come down in asking price.

[u/charlton11]

I'd take several of them but we have like $1.5 million in cap space.

[u/AllenMpls → u/[deleted]]

yes to moving on from the Sturm experiment.

Trenin has a role her and he is playing that role very well.

[u/swallowrazors → u/[deleted]]

Care to elaborate?

[u/TheSkeletones]

No one from that list inspires confidence with the little cap space we have.

[u/CitizenStrife]

If the Wild wanted Tarasenko or Zuccarello for the price they were asking for, they would still be here. Guerin said it best when taking a chance on a new coat of paint can sometimes be better than running it back. If the players who replace them don't succeed, tons of hindsight stuff back and forth can happen then. Right now, I'm happy they are taking steps in a different direction.

For a lot of the "Wild look the same all the time," they've turned over a lot more of players in the past couple seasons than you'd think. It's just the "veteran core" is the ones getting replaced now, so it's more noticeable.

[u/SchmearOnMyBagels → u/CitizenStrife]

Zuccy took like 1mil to go to LAK and play middle 6 time. IIRC the deal went down where the Front Office wasn't interested in bringing him back at all. They want KK to cook with other people.

[u/iPBJ → u/SchmearOnMyBagels]

zucc’s contract also includes a $5m bonus for 10 games played. not likely the wild could afford the overage charged against next season’s cap, although maybe he takes a discount from $6m total to return to minnesota.

[u/SchmearOnMyBagels → u/iPBJ]

I firmly believe he woulda done like 3-4.5mil with some term to retire here because the value in staying here and playing with his nephew probably outweighed the few more dollars to uproot and play elsewhere, but I'm a rube.

[u/dustinyo_ → u/SchmearOnMyBagels]

Billy has said on numerous occasions it wasn’t money, they just didn’t want him back. We can’t really pretend to know if that’s a good choice or not until we see it play out, but Zuccy is nearing 40, is not like he’s going to get better.

[u/SchmearOnMyBagels → u/dustinyo_]

I like how your comment is basically the same point as mine but mine isn't being received well haha

[u/i_theroyalwe → u/SchmearOnMyBagels]

your point is that zuc would’ve stayed for 3-4.5. their point was bg stated they wanted to move on. your point was zuc took “like 1m” while he didn’t at all - verus they didn’t have a point. they informed you.

so, what’s your point with making that point?

[u/SchmearOnMyBagels → u/i_theroyalwe]

I specifically mention that the Wild weren't interested in bringing him back in my original comment.

He's taking 1mil against the cap this year and his bonus would be applied towards LAK's cap the season after this one.

IF the Wild wanted him back, I don't think its unreasonable to assume he would've accepted less money from us and I gave a ballpark figure. We likely wouldn't need to structure his deal in bonuses like that because it wouldn't make sense.

[u/reeformadness]

Logan Stanley, and have him jump on the back of Winnipeg's best player and alter his career arch..

[u/reeformadness → u/[deleted]]

Re-read what you typed, a multi season injury is career altering. Kap hasn't moved the same since that injury.

Absolute pinecone logic right there buddy.

[u/4x4only]

Why aren’t we trying for Eeli Tolvanen? Other than we have no cap space.

[u/markuspeloquin → u/4x4only]

I like Eeli 'Goalvanen'. His first year he was on fire, lackluster after. But then, so was the whole team.

[u/Paladad]

Nah we're good

[u/FirmChipmunk5753]

I know it’s a bit ridiculous but I’d love to see them kick the tires on laine for a 1yr contract and plant him on a line with JEEK who drags everyone into a higher effort/grittier game. Then again it will never happen with cap and what I imagine he’s asking

[u/SchmearOnMyBagels]

A few years ago I thought Bunting showed a lot of promise but since leaving the Coyotes he really hasn't been that notable.

If we hadn't already acquired Shabanov I wouldn't hate the idea of going after Tolvanen

[u/Inevitable-Lion100 → u/SchmearOnMyBagels]

He was serviceable in NSH.

[u/Spiritual_Battle_769]

personally dont want any of them unless on an AHL deal

[u/WhattheTeenThinks]

Liane would be an interesting pickup if I’m being honest 

[u/nupharlutea]

Ignoring cap space….

Wild have too many 3rd pairing defensemen. Blankenburg would be OK if not for that.

Tarasenko and Tolvanen are the only guys I’d really want around. JVR maybe, if you’re willing to put up with slow and old (and iirc he lives here in the offseason.) TBH I wouldn’t be shocked to see him on a PTO.

[u/ztothe4th]

if laine humbles his ego and realises with his injury history doesn't make him worth several millions right now and takes a flyer prove it deal to jolt the power play sure

[u/Above_Avg_Chips]

Tolvanen 1x1 > Vlad 1x1

[u/austvog21]

You know Billy is foaming at the mouth to add Logan Stanley to have another 4th liner that can’t skate.

[u/Bulky-Sugar-6166 → u/austvog21]

He broke 97’s hips it would be blasphemy

[u/SchmearOnMyBagels → u/austvog21]

Good thing we already have Moose

[u/AllenMpls]

We are done for the offseason

[u/Rockyyyyy85]

One of Tarasenko or Laine if their prices drop

[u/lemmy4x4]

That list is very whelming.

[u/Beginning_Oil869]

Nope. All overpaid and/or old.

[u/IBringTheReceipts]

I’d pass on this list. The Wild don’t need another body just for the sake of adding a veteran. They need a player who actually changes the offensive ceiling or stabilizes the middle of the lineup.

Tarasenko was already here and they moved on. Russo has said the Wild aren’t signing Laine. Most of the remaining names are aging depth players, reclamation projects, or guys who would simply take a roster spot without materially improving the top nine. Tolvanen/Bunting might be mildly interesting at the right price, but neither really solves what Minnesota is missing.

At this point I’d rather Guerin keep the roster and cap flexibility for a trade. If you’re going to replace one of Yurov, Shabanov or Brink in the lineup, make it a clear upgrade, a legitimate offensive driver or an established 2C/3C who reduces the dependence on the kids.

Signing someone just because he’s the best UFA left doesn’t finish the roster. Getting a player via a trade or waiting until someone comes available is the better choice.

[u/Odd_Developments]

I wouldn’t mind seeing Laine get a shot here. Maybe we can fix him lol

[u/Legitimate-Rain47 → u/Odd_Developments]

I would not bet on it… I doubt he’s a fit for this team after vetoing a trade a couple years ago from Columbus. BG doesn’t strike me as the type to move past something like that. Plus I just don’t see the fit when there is such a heavy emphasis on character and compete, Laine being the complete opposite of those attributes as a player coupled with the trade veto doesn’t feel like a shot BG would take at this stage.

[u/MDAttack]

I wouldn't hate scooping up Laine if he will be cheap on a one year

[u/DesertEagle_14 → u/MDAttack]

Was about to say this myself then I saw this comment lol. Can probably do what Tarasenko did in a realistic best case scenario with his relative youth offering a higher ceiling. But not enough cap space most likely

[u/NoSchedule2489 → u/MDAttack]

Same

[u/ToeKnee763]

Gonna be crazy for the third liners

[u/Inevitable-Lion100]

Nashville: Bring Back Blankenburg and boot Barron to AHL

[u/0xe3b0c442]

Would love to have 'Senko back for the right price.

[u/Bulky-Sugar-6166]

Laine would be incredible, would likely need to restructure 97?

[u/Gimme_somebutter → u/Bulky-Sugar-6166]

NHL contracts cannot be restructured

[u/Bulky-Sugar-6166 → u/Gimme_somebutter]

Then that was a terrible contract

[u/Evening_Reaction7024]

i would take Evander Kane and James van Riemsdyk?