The Dallas Stars are facing a salary cap challenge that may necessitate difficult decisions regarding pending RFA Jason Robertson. Should they be unable to secure a long-term, high-value contract, trading Robertson becomes a viable option. The Stars could explore two primary trade avenues: acquiring an established, similarly skilled player like Brady Tkachuk, Dylan Larkin, William Nylander, or Robert Thomas, though such trades would likely require the Stars to add significant assets. Alternatively, they could pursue a package deal involving a young prospect with high potential and draft picks, akin to the Mikko Rantanen trade. However, this latter approach carries more risk for a Stars team currently in win-now mode, as players like Matthew Knies or Mason McTavish may not immediately provide the same impact as Robertson.
Regardless of the Robertson situation, the Stars will likely need to move salary to accommodate their cap space requirements.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild are actively assessing their forward trade options. Their available assets include prospects such as Jesper Wallstedt, Danila Yurov, Bobby Brink, Daemon Hunt, Charlie Stramel, Hunter Haight, Riley Heidt, and Adam Benak, along with future first-round picks. Key players like Ryan Hartman, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Jared Spurgeon possess 10-team no-trade clauses, while Marcus Foligno and Jake Middleton have 15-team no-trade clauses that become full no-moves on July 1st. Jonas Brodin, Nico Sturm, and Yakov Trenin currently have no trade protections.
Acquiring top-six centers or wingers is a complex undertaking, and the Wild are unwilling to part with prospects like Brock Faber, Matt Boldy, or Kirill Kaprizov. The article suggests potential trade targets for the Wild to consider:
- Auston Matthews (Maple Leafs): If the Maple Leafs were to entertain offers, Jesper Wallstedt could be a piece of a potential return.
- Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier (Devils): The Wild could explore reuniting the Hughes brothers in Minnesota. While acquiring Jack Hughes seems unlikely given the Devils’ current stance, if Nico Hischier’s contract extension status is uncertain, the Wild might test the market.
- Dylan Larkin (Red Wings): With five years remaining on an $8.7 million contract and nearing 30, Larkin might consider a change of scenery and waive his no-trade clause.
- Robert Thomas (Blues): The Blues reportedly rejected a package including Wallstedt and Yurov at the trade deadline. Thomas has five years left on his deal at $8.125 million annually.
- Brady Tkachuk (Senators): Though a winger, Tkachuk’s ability to drive play makes him a potential target. He has two years remaining at $8.2 million.
- Vincent Trocheck (Rangers): The Rangers’ asking price was reportedly high at the deadline. Trocheck has three years left at $5.625 million, and the Wild might be hesitant to include Wallstedt in a deal for him.
