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UPDATED: Dubnyk & Donato Dealt to Sharks, Soucy Extended |
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The long rumored trade of Ryan Donato to San Jose finally became official today with the Wild receiving a 2021 third round pick in return.
Devan Dubnyk had also been rumored along with Donato and the Sharks but in the end that did not materialize. Dubnyk could still find himself on the move as he approaches the final year of his contract, also following his lackluster 2019-20 season performance which saw him lose his starting role to long time backup, Alex Stalock.
It is interesting to note that Wild GM, Bill Guerin, went out of his way to say that Victor Rask has not been given ample opportunity to show what he is capable of with the Wild. Rask, who has been nothing short of a bust since being acquired for Nino Niederreiter back in January of 2019, spending many nights on the fourth line or in the press box due to his lack of productivity when he was in the lineup.
Donato on the other hand has performed in his limited role, leading the Wild in even strength goals with 14 this past season despite his just over 10 minutes of average ice time. Donato also chipped in four goals and 16 points in 22 contests to end the 2018-19 season, after being acquired from the Bruins for Charlie Coyle.
I am not saying that Guerin should have held onto Donato but I do find the language used to describe Rask's use as "not enough opportunity" provided the veteran center. Rask is still here because the Wild have a short supply of NHL centers on the roster, period. He will be given an opportunity to earn a spot but his leash should be a short one in my opinion.
As for Donato, it became apparent that he would never be given the chance to crack the top six category for any extended length of time so moving him now is absolutely the wise decision. Now if Guerin can manage to make something happen with Dubnyk we will have to wait and see.
According to The Atheltic's, Michael Russo, Carson Soucy has been signed to a three year $8.25M contract ($2.75 AAV) avoiding the 26 year old defenseman from hitting the UFA market. Soucy earned his way into the Wild lineup supplanting Nick Seeler on the third D pairing. A strong rookie campaign which saw him record 7 goals and finish the year at +16 in plus/minus.
Center, Nico Sturm, also resigned to a 2-year $1.5M deal and will compete with Rask and newly acquired Nick Bjugstad and Marcus Johansson as the Wild piece together the center position.
The next few days should be exciting as Guerin works to make over the roster without calling it a rebuild.
Update: Devan Dubnyk is intact heading to San Jose along with a 2022 7th round pick for the Sharks 5th round pick in 2022. Dubnyk was a huge part of the Minnesota Wild since coming over from Arizona back in January of 2015. Dubnyk stepped right into the starting role and carried the Wild to the playoffs that year winning 27 games while posting a 1.78 GAA and .936 save percentage.
Dubnyk started over 60 games in each of the next four Wild seasons better than 30 games in each with his career best 40 wins coming in the 2016-17 season.
We wish Dubs well as he moves on to San Jose along with his wife Jenn who's healthy issues weighed heavy on Devan this past season which added to his struggles on the ice. Hoping that the worst is behind them and the new surroundings provide the spark to get Dubnyk back to the level we got accustomed to seeing nearly every night for the majority of the past five plus seasons.
Minnesota Wild Blogger • 
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