Minnesota Wild trade Eric Staal to Buffalo Sabres for Marcus Johansson

The Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres have made a deal, swapping Eric Staal to Buffalo and Marcus Johansson to Minnesota in a confusing one-for-one trade.

The Stanley Cup Finals are set to begin in less than a week, but the NHL offseason seems to be getting into full swing now. The Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres have made a deal, marking the fifth trade since the NHL’s return to play on August 1.

In a rare one-for-one trade, the Wild have sent Eric Staal to the Sabres in exchange for Marcus Johansson. No picks, no prospects, no conditions. Just a straight up swap.

Staal and Johansson both have one year left on their contracts, with the 35-year-old Staal making $3.5M against the salary cap, and the 29-year-old Johansson making $4.5M.

Minnesota Wild Trade Grade: D

New Wild GM Bill Guerin is continuing to reshape the roster with a busy few days. Just in the last week he’s acquired Nick Bjugstad from the Pittsburgh Penguins, and extended Joan Brodin to a seven year contract. Trading Staal for Johansson however is a throughly confusing move.

Marcus Johannson is a fine player, there’s no question about. He’s a reliable second line playerHowever the Wild are planning use Johansson at center despite him playing the majority of career on the wing. This is clearly a downgrade from just keeping Staal on the team, and Johansson makes more money against the cap and has the same expiring contract. There’s no real benefit here for Minnesota.

Guerin’s justification for the trade is that “sometimes we need to mix things up” and “we’re trying to build a better team, and sometimes you have to take some desperate measures.” Which would make sense if there was a benefit here for the Wild, but it sounds like making a move for the sake of making a move, which is not a good way to make trades.

“We’re getting a little bit younger,” Guerin also said. “Marcus brings a lot of speed and skill, and we’re looking forward to having him.”

Guerin is right about that, the Wild do need to get younger. The problem here is that Johansson is not young. He’s 29 and on an expiring contract, so while that’s technically true they got “younger”, it doesn’t actually solve that problem whatsoever.

The Wild have made no real progress one way or another towards becoming a Stanley Cup contender or starting a rebuild. They’re just the same mediocre team they’ve been for the last several years, and they need a pick a direction eventually. This is another spinning the wheels kind of trade, but also one that is a straight up downgrade. Johansson will be fine for them, but there was no reason to make this move.

Buffalo Sabres Trade Grade: A-

Kevyn Adams had to wait a little while to make his first big move as GM of the Sabres, but it sure looks to be a good one.

Priority number one for the Sabres this offseason was finding a solid second line center to play underneath Jack Eichel, and they’ve done that here by acquiring a veteran Staal to finally give them the top six center they’ve needed for years.

Staal will be entering his 17th season in the NHL, and last season produced 19 goals and 28 assists for 47 points in 66 games. He’s admittedly nearing the end of his career, but he’s still plenty productive and exactly what the Sabres need to take another step.

Ever since trading away Ryan O’Reilly in 2018, the Sabres have been unable to find a replacement to support Eichel at center. Staal can immediately step into that role and bring stability with his production, as well as positive experience for a young team that’s been surrounded by a losing culture.

Better yet, Staal can serve as a mentor to Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt, as well as assist in their development by not forcing either of them to play in a top six role before they’re ready so they can continue to grow their game and eventually replace him once his contract expires.

If there is a downside of this trade for Buffalo, it’s that Staal has just one year left on his contract and this is not a longterm solution at center. Still, Johansson was also on a expiring deal, and to get Staal one-for-one in return for him in fantastic. It’s hard to really call it a downside considering the deal.

The Sabres own the longest playoff drought in the league, last making the postseason in 2011. They’ve still got a lot of other moves to make, but this is a strong start for a organization in desperate need of some positivity. If Adams can deliver next month with a strong draft, and a solid free agency, his tenure in Buffalo could start to provide some long overdue hope.