The Wild are basically guaranteed to be in a playoff spot at the deadline, but how they fare against the other West playoff teams is what really matters. They have 12 games left against the Aves, Knights, and Blues before the deadline and those games should be the deciding factor in whether or not they are seller. If they show those teams are a step above them then they need to sell anyone with value regardless of making the playoffs or not. If they can go even or better against those teams then I’m on board with not selling their UFAs or even trading for a cheap rental if it makes sense. Just don’t go full Marty Hanzal.
Let’s pretend the Wild are considering buying at the deadline, who would they be interested in? Assuming no one gets injured, they don’t need any defensemen or wings, so that leaves centers – and definitely a top 6 center. Are there even any top 6 centers available as rentals? None come to mind. I think their version of buying will be not selling the pending UFAs they were planning to sell coming into the season.
Cole, Bonino, and Hartman are the guys I think they could sell and actually get something for. Cole has been the best player out of that group, but I think Mermis showed he could fill that hole in the defense for the rest of the season. Bonino and Hartman would probably be worth less than Cole in a trade and those spots are probably harder to fill.
Cole has been really good for the Wild and it would be tough to see him go, but he’s gone after this season regardless. If they could get a 3rd rounder or better for him, that’s a hell of a trade for BillyG – essentially upgrading from Pateryn for half a season and then turning him into a decent draft pick. Bergevin did that with Scandella last year. Could they retain another 50% of Cole’s AAV in a trade? Lots of contenders are right up against the cap ceiling or over in LTIR.
