So this is, uh.....something

Good thing you're opinion does not matter. Word is the Wild were going to throw in a low pick FOR that swap.
- Guile

Word from where?

Wild can buyout Rask and sign a better defenseman than Johnson with the savings if they want. I mean, Fenton is the guy who traded Nino for Rask, so I guess you never know, but what you are suggesting makes absolutely no sense for the Wild whatsoever.

It really doesn't matter what they do. This team is nowhere near where they need to be. Theyve mad 0 impactful draft picks since Dumba, and the best teams in the league are built through drafting. Until the aging vets are gone, and some superstars are drafted, this team is going be in the same rut theyve been in for a long time. Just good enough to make or barely miss the playoffs.

It really doesn't matter what they do. This team is nowhere near where they need to be. Theyve mad 0 impactful draft picks since Dumba, and the best teams in the league are built through drafting. Until the aging vets are gone, and some superstars are drafted, this team is going be in the same rut theyve been in for a long time. Just good enough to make or barely miss the playoffs.
- mnMild

I beg to differ on this. Koivu has only 1 year left and a truly believe he is going to retire after this year. Staal is at just 2 more years, and I think he will retire as well. That's 2 centers retiring over the next 2 years. I see that Zaitsev wants out in Toronto now as well. SOOOOOOO, Spurgeon/Zucker/Fiala/Eriksson-Ek for Nylander/Kadri/Kapanen/Zaitsev. That opens up about $5+ mil for the Leafs to give Marner his huge contract, the get their coveted right shot, puck moving Dman in Spurgeon, the keep with the ideal of speed with Zucker, and replace a youngster of Kapanen with Fiala (I know, they don't compare at all right now). And still have a 3rd line C in JEE. Then after the new Marner contract, Fiala and JEE will be relatively inexpensive contracts, so there is more cap space left to sign another righty Dman.

For the Wild, they get 2 right handed shots in Nylander and Kapanen. Kadri can fill the 2nd line C spot (I believe Koivu should be 3). Once Koivu retires, Nylander can move to C and Parise can move to RW, as once Koivu retires, that when Kaprizov should be coming over. And I think the Zaitsev would pair well with Brodin. One stop shop type of trade that works for both teams. Now this would certainly lock the Wild cap-space wise for the next 4-6 years, but that means during that time, they would be running Greenway, Donato, Nylander, Kapanen, Kunin, Kaprizov, Shaw, Khovanov and Lodnia. That's a young, decent group to move forward with. Yes, Parise will have to be relegated to 3rd or 4th line to end his last 3 or 4 years...but I think the Players Assoc is going to create something in the next deal to let teams get out of a few contracts...or he will finish his career on the LTIR.

I beg to differ on this. Koivu has only 1 year left and a truly believe he is going to retire after this year. Staal is at just 2 more years, and I think he will retire as well. That's 2 center retiring over the next 2 years. I see that Zaitsev wants out in Toronto now as well. SOOOOOOO, Spurgeon/Zucker/Fiala/Eriksson-Ek for Nylander/Kadri/Kapanen/Zaitsev. That opens up about $5+ mil for the Leafs to give Marner his huge contract, the get their coveted right shot, puck moving Dman in Spurgeon, the keep with the ideal of speed with Zucker, and replace a youngster of Kapanen with Fiala (I know, they don't compare at all right now). And still have a 3rd line C in JEE. Then after the new Marner contract, Fiala and JEE will be relatively inexpensive contracts, so there is more cap space left to sign another righty Dman.

For the Wild, they get 2 right handed shots in Nylander and Kapanen. Kadri can fill the 2nd line C spot (I believe Koivu should be 3). Once Koivu retires, Nylander can move to C and Parise can move to RW, as once Koivu retires, that when Kaprizov should be coming over. And I think the Zaitsev would pair well with Brodin. One stop shop type of trade that works for both teams. Now this would certainly lock the Wild cap-space wise for the next 4-6 years, but that means during that time, they would be running Greenway, Donato, Nylander, Kapanen, Kunin, Kaprizov, Shaw, Khovanov and Lodnia. That's a young, decent group to move forward with. Yes, Parise will have to be relegated to 3rd or 4th line to end his last 3 or 4 years...but I think the Players Assoc is going to create something in the next deal to let teams get out of a few contracts...or he will finish his career on the LTIR.
- Gusrichards

Okay but then why on earth would Fenton be trying to trade Zucker for Kessel?

Okay but then why on earth would Fenton be trying to trade Zucker for Kessel?
- BINGO!

A question that only Fenton, Snow and Chiarelli have the answer to...

I beg to differ on this. Koivu has only 1 year left and a truly believe he is going to retire after this year. Staal is at just 2 more years, and I think he will retire as well. That's 2 centers retiring over the next 2 years. I see that Zaitsev wants out in Toronto now as well. SOOOOOOO, Spurgeon/Zucker/Fiala/Eriksson-Ek for Nylander/Kadri/Kapanen/Zaitsev. That opens up about $5+ mil for the Leafs to give Marner his huge contract, the get their coveted right shot, puck moving Dman in Spurgeon, the keep with the ideal of speed with Zucker, and replace a youngster of Kapanen with Fiala (I know, they don't compare at all right now). And still have a 3rd line C in JEE. Then after the new Marner contract, Fiala and JEE will be relatively inexpensive contracts, so there is more cap space left to sign another righty Dman.

For the Wild, they get 2 right handed shots in Nylander and Kapanen. Kadri can fill the 2nd line C spot (I believe Koivu should be 3). Once Koivu retires, Nylander can move to C and Parise can move to RW, as once Koivu retires, that when Kaprizov should be coming over. And I think the Zaitsev would pair well with Brodin. One stop shop type of trade that works for both teams. Now this would certainly lock the Wild cap-space wise for the next 4-6 years, but that means during that time, they would be running Greenway, Donato, Nylander, Kapanen, Kunin, Kaprizov, Shaw, Khovanov and Lodnia. That's a young, decent group to move forward with. Yes, Parise will have to be relegated to 3rd or 4th line to end his last 3 or 4 years...but I think the Players Assoc is going to create something in the next deal to let teams get out of a few contracts...or he will finish his career on the LTIR.
- Gusrichards

I love the optimism gus, but we both know its all duckies and bunnies. Being a MN sports fan, we all know things wont go our way, it just doesn't work that way. Free agents, trades, draftees, etc. We just have to sit back and accept mediocrity and enjoy the once in a decade ride the vikings give us, only to rip our hearts out on the biggest stage.

I love the optimism gus, but we both know its all duckies and bunnies. Being a MN sports fan, we all know things wont go our way, it just doesn't work that way. Free agents, trades, draftees, etc. We just have to sit back and accept mediocrity and enjoy the once in a decade ride the vikings give us, only to rip our hearts out on the biggest stage.
- mnMild

Hahahaha!!! I refuse to accept that. MN sports will be bringing a Championship here sooner rather than later (and don't mean the Lynx). And I will continue to list things that I think every MN team should do to improve their rosters...except the Loons, I have no clue about soccer whatsoever. I love being the armchair GM for any given sport, and one of these times, I will be right. I just cannot believe that the Twins WS wins in '87 and '91 will be the only championships I see in my lifetime of the teams that I root for.

That being said, yeah, things probably won't go even close to what Wild fans would hope to see, but I'll keep barking. And I hope it's all duckies and bunnies, I hunt both!

Okay but then why on earth would Fenton be trying to trade Zucker for Kessel?
- BINGO!

Trying to trade Zucker for Kessel was based on 3 reasoning I believe. Wild need a right handed scored, that would be Kessel, check. Secondly, if Fenton can remove Rask from the roster, fans will slowly forget about that mistake, check. And finally, I think Fenton has burned his bridge with Zucker, as Zucker knows he is going to be traded. Now Fenton just has to do it.

Not that I really ever wanted Kessel in the first place. Maybe 5-6 years ago, but not today.

Trying to trade Zucker for Kessel was based on 3 reasoning I believe. Wild need a right handed scored, that would be Kessel, check. Secondly, if Fenton can remove Rask from the roster, fans will slowly forget about that mistake, check. And finally, I think Fenton has burned his bridge with Zucker, as Zucker knows he is going to be traded. Now Fenton just has to do it.

Not that I really ever wanted Kessel in the first place. Maybe 5-6 years ago, but not today.
- Gusrichards

Even though the trade would have meant getting rid of rask, theyd still be getting jack johnson in return. So would you rather have him over rask?

Nick Leddy sends his regards
- eichiefs9

Even though the trade would have meant getting rid of rask, theyd still be getting jack johnson in return. So would you rather have him over rask?
- mnMild

Can I answer neither? I was never for the trade, was just trying to explain the possible reasoning behind Fenton trying to do that trade. I really want neither Johnson or Rask....or Kessel for that matter. I am guessing that Rask is going to end of a VERY expensive 4th liner that sees a lot of time in the pressbox if they don't buy him out.

Can I answer neither? I was never for the trade, was just trying to explain the possible reasoning behind Fenton trying to do that trade. I really want neither Johnson or Rask....or Kessel for that matter. I am guessing that Rask is going to end of a VERY expensive 4th liner that sees a lot of time in the pressbox if they don't buy him out.
- Gusrichards

That's where he was headed before the trade, at least.

Even though the trade would have meant getting rid of rask, theyd still be getting jack johnson in return. So would you rather have him over rask?
- mnMild

Rask is young and has potential, no one could argue that. Jack Johnson is not as terrible as a lot of people make him out to be. He is a good shot blocker and will clear the front of the net for your team. He also was the go to Penguin defenseman for the Penalty Kill. He started as a 3rd pairing defensemen and by the end of the season was on the 2nd pairing including in the playoffs. So it would essentially be a 3rd pairing defenseman who excells on the PK and potentially could move up to the 2nd pairing if an injury arises. for a 3rd/4th line center.