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The Minnesota Wild can pretty much forget about landing one of their rumored trade targets at this year’s deadline.
The Minnesota Wild remain one of the most active teams among NHL trade rumors. However, there’s one rumor that will not likely come true, at least this season.
After trading for Quinn Hughes, rumors have suggested that the Wild are looking for a solid top-six center. While Danila Yurov has emerged as a potential top-line pivot, he’s not the solution the club needs.
The aim is to find an established top-six center, preferably one of the top line persuasion. One of the names that has come up is the New York Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck. With the Blueshirts’ impending fire sale, Trocheck could be just the piece to solve the Wild’s needs down the middle.
But that situation may not come to fruition any time soon. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, Trocheck has declared his desire to play on the East Coast. During the latest edition of the 32 Thought Podcast, Friedman expounded on the matter, stating that Trocheck has made it clear he doesn’t want to go west.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that Trocheck holds a full no-movement clause. That situation means the Rangers’ hands are tied. The club faces a scenario just like the one it did with Artemi Panarin. The club won’t be able to move Trocheck unless he agrees to the deal.
In short, there isn’t much hope for the Rangers to trade Trocheck to the Wild. It’s also worth noting that there’s a chance Trocheck could change his mind. But that would have to be part of the legwork Minnesota will need to do as part of the deal.
Asking Price High on Trocheck
One of the other bits of chatter surrounding the Trocheck situation is the purported asking price. According to the talk, the price tag on Trocheck is high.
If the Panarin talk is any indication, a team like the Wild, or any other for that matter, would have to cough up multiple pieces, including a top prospect and first-round picks, to land Trocheck.
Please bear in mind that’s the asking price. The real price tag could be another story entirely. The Panarin trade could serve as an indication of where the Rangers are coming from.
Wild Could Play Hardball like LA Kings
Let’s assume for a minute that Trocheck agrees to a deal to the Wild. The Wild, in turn, could play hardball like the LA Kings did. Los Angeles knew they had the high ground in the negotiations. So, they put forth a type of take-it-or-leave-it offer on the table.
Panarin’s camp, meanwhile, pushed Chris Drury to the edge. In the end, the asking price came way down. That’s a scenario the Wild could exploit moving forward. The only catch here is that Trocheck is not an impending UFA. He’s under contract for three more seasons.
Unless Trocheck decides to twist the Rangers’ arm, there’s really not much incentive for New York to sell low.
Still, the Panarin trade is a cautionary tale on how playing a little hardball can go a long way. The Wild have likely taken note for future reference.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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