Wild continue in sell-mode, eventually sending Charlie Coyle to Boston
The Minnesota Wild kept Charlie Coyle’s trade destination a mystery to him, but he’s apparently, eventually, headed to the Boston Bruins.
The Minnesota Wild are 1-6-3 in their last 10 games, with a five-game losing streak, but somehow are still clinging to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference entering Wednesday’s action.
But that doesn’t mean general manager Paul Fenton shouldn’t be looking to move anyone who’s not tied down ahead of next Monday’s trade deadline and Charlie Coyle is a player who is easy to place on the block.
As the team departed for a two-game road trip on Wednesday, with back-to-back games coming against the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings Thursday and Friday night, Michael Russo of The Athletic reported some trade chatter regarding Coyle.
A quick follow-up said Coyle had been told he’s being traded and not to get on the team plane as his equipment was being taken off said plane.
But there’s was a notable omission in the initial communication though, as Coyle had not yet been told where he’s being traded to.
Being told by multiple sources that #mnwild forward Charlie Coyle has been told that he has been traded but not to where yet.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 20, 2019
Has been told not to get on his plane, his equipment has been taken off the truck
Thankfully, at least for Coyle, clarity on his destination came pretty quickly.
Hearing Bruins are front-runners on Coyle. Other teams made the call today too.
— Joe McDonald (@JoeyMacHockey) February 20, 2019
If it's the #bruins, #mnwild have been talking to Boston about Ryan Donato.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 20, 2019
Paul Fenton scouting the Bruins the night of the Super Bowl Parade, coincidentally
Not sure why, but chance #mnwild #bruins trade won't be officially announced til around 10 p.m.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 20, 2019
Maybe because of the Wild's flight delay
Sounds like Coyle for Donato and a fifth pick
Coyle is headed to the Boston Bruins for forward Ryan Donato and a fifth-round pick. But, for some reason, the trade won’t be officially announced until 10 p.m ET Wednesday.
Russo offered the Wild’s flight delay as a reason for the postponement of an official announcement, but even with all of the reports now out there Coyle had still not been officially told he’s being traded to the Bruins.
Coyle has still not officially been told that he has been traded to the Bruins, I'm told. Just that he has been traded.
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 20, 2019
But again, it's Coyle for Donato and a fifth
Dragging their feet to tell Coyle where he’s being traded to is an odd move for the Wild and it’s unclear why they’re doing it. Coyle is from the Boston area and went to Boston U., so he’d presumably be thrilled to be going home.
Next. NHL Trade Deadline: 5 teams who need a trade to save season. dark
The trade works for the Wild too, as they’re getting an extra draft pick and getting younger as Coyle is 26 (27 on March 2) and Donato is 22 (23 on April 9). Eventually, Fenton (or someone else) will surely tell Coyle where he’s headed.