Fansided

5 dark horse candidates to get traded at the NHL Trade Deadline

By Griffin Youngs

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 29: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers argues a second period call during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on January 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 29: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers argues a second period call during the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on January 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 3: Charlie Coyle #3 of the Minnesota Wild set to take a face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 3, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 3: Charlie Coyle #3 of the Minnesota Wild set to take a face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on January 3, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Eric Staal

The Minnesota Wild are in a very confusing spot as the trade deadline approaches. They sit just ahead of the pack in the western conference log jam in the second wildcard spot, but just lost Mikko Koivu for the rest of the season due to injury, and realistically are in this playoff spot due to how weak the rest of western conference is. With 1 win in their last should the Wild buy rentals at the deadline, or retool for the future? The answer to that lies in what the plan for what to do with Eric Staal is.

Eric Staal has been the Wild’s most productive player since he was signed on July 1, 2016, even scoring 42 goals and 76 points last season in a bid that had as an honorable mention for the Hart Trophy. This season has not been nearly as productive, but still a pretty good season with 17 goals and 20 assists in 57 games.

Michael Russo of the Athletic reported that the Wild have received the green light from ownership to retool at the trade deadline, even at the expense of a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With Staal’s contract expiring at the end of the season and plenty of contenders asking about his availability, he could be the prime candidate to get moved out of Minnesota. However, Staal has made it clear that he loves Minnesota, and wants to help the team win here.

“The way I see it: We’re in a playoff spot, and I plan on making the playoffs … here,” Staal told Michael Russo of the Athletic. “My goal is to be here – hopefully not somewhere else – and to help us win a playoff spot and continue on.”

From Russo’s report, one source said “There comes a point where you have to stop spinning your wheels and change things up.” which could not describe the Wild since 2010 better. One way or another, you have to do something at the trade deadline to either win the Stanley Cup now, or in a couple years.

Realistically, the Wild were never going to be a that good of a team this year with their lack of star power, but with how much of a mess the Western Conference is, they’re an easy playoff team if they get out of this current slump. However, they will most likely get annihilated again in the first round, and is it really worth it to lose out on assets just for another wasted playoff appearance?

The best time to trade Eric Staal was the offseason when his value was through the roof, and take this year as a way to build a stronger core for the future, but the second best time to trade him is now, even if his value has dropped. It doesn’t even have to be considered a retool as the Blues did with Paul Stastny last year, and you could sign him again in the offseason if he wants to stay so badly.

The Wild can likely can a first round pick and perhaps a bit more if they do in fact decide to move on for Eric Staal, and if they can find away around that 10 team no-trade clause, which is reportedly filled with the usual contenders.  One way or another, you have to do something at the trade deadline to either win the Stanley Cup now, or in a couple years. Standing pat is the worst possible thing that Minnesota can do at this deadline.

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