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The Minnesota Wild are not done making waves this season, with the club looking at a forward from a division rival.
The Minnesota Wild are among the most active teams at this year’s trade deadline. They have already made seismic shifts and could be looking to make more.
For Minnesota this season, it’s Stanley Cup or bust. That attitude has led GM Bill Guerin to explore every available avenue for upgrades, including partnering with division rivals.
One division rival on the Wild’s sights could be the Nashville Predators. In particular, the onus could be on center Ryan O’Reilly. O’Reilly has been one of the hottest names on the market this season. However, the Predators’ seeming resurgence has pumped the brakes on trade talk.
But if the Wild have their way, they might just entice the Preds to swing a deal. According to insider Pierre LeBrun, Minnesota could be looking to land the veteran center if he becomes available.
During an appearance on TSN’s Insider Trading, LeBrun offered the following hint at what the Wild and Predators may be up to:
“I think Ryan O’Reilly would be perfect for Bill Guerin and the Wild. I just don’t know that O’Reilly is available yet. The Predators have been competitive and O’Reilly, I don’t think wants to quit on things there in Nashville. So, I don’t know if he’s actually on the market.”
The comments signal a reality every contender has faced this season, not just the Wild. The number of official sellers has been much lower than the number of buyers. As such, the trade market, while picking up in the last couple of weeks, seems at a standstill.
O’Reilly Makes Perfect Sense for Wild
The chatter surrounding Minnesota has been their search for a true number-one center. That’s O’Reilly in a nutshell. He’s a strong offensive piece while also displaying a solid defensive presence.
He’s a rare top-line center with a strong two-way game. He’d be the ideal addition to partner with Kirill Kaprizov on the Wild’s top line. Moreover, he’s got plenty of playoff experience, including a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe Trophy to his name.
For Minnesota, O’Reilly would be the ideal piece to add amid their playoff aspirations. However, the timing may demand a little more patience on the Wild’s side.
Things Could Get Tight in Minnesota Leading Up to Deadline
The timing for a potential trade by the Wild may take them right up to the trade deadline. Numerous teams will take the remaining games leading up to the Olympic break to finally assess their standing.
The Predators could determine if they are buying or selling as they come out of the Olympic break. As such, the Wild may have to wait until after the Milano-Cortina Games to see if they have an opportunity at Ryan O’Reilly.
It’s worth pointing out that missing out on O’Reilly at the trade deadline may not preclude Minnesota from landing him. There may be an opportunity during the offseason. But that’s a bridge the Wild will cross if it comes to it.
In the meantime, Minnesota will be doing everything it can to maximize its competitive window this season.
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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