NHL trade rumors: Top 10 trade candidates in 2020-21
By Simon Vacca
2. Jonas Brodin
Team: Minnesota Wild
Position: D
Age: 26
Despite being one of the NHL’s more under-discussed players, Jonas Brodin of the Minnesota Wild boasts a quiet, yet steady defensive game.
His name briefly topped the rumor mill leading up to the Feb. 24 trade deadline, which came and went with no moves from Minnesota’s end. The Wild had previously traded Jason Zucker on Feb. 10 to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Alex Galchenyuk, Calen Addison and a conditional 2020 first-round selection.
As a result, the upcoming offseason may be one of fascination for the Wild’s fans. And if the brief yet telling hype surrounding Brodin was to be believed, you can bet that the months ahead may be crucial for organizations looking to shore up their back ends.
To be clear, Brodin is not much of a point getter, as his recent 28-point campaign was a career high. But the 26-year-old’s ability to serve as a consistent defensive specialist — eating up tough minutes and difficult matchups on a nightly basis — is what will surely prompt other clubs to consider acquiring the understated defender.
At the very least, look for other executives to check in with Minnesota GM Bill Guerin throughout the summer. A potential Brodin move may be an underrated transaction, indeed — but its benefits cannot be underscored enough.