Speculation is rife about the Minnesota Wild’s long-standing search for a franchise center, leading to questions about their potential interest in Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews. Michael Russo of The Athletic recently delved into whether the Wild possess the necessary trade capital to acquire Matthews, or any other top-tier center should they become available.
Russo confirmed that Wild General Manager Bill Guerin would be keenly interested in Matthews if the opportunity ever arose. Guerin is a known admirer of Matthews, and the Wild have been on a quest for a legitimate number one center for over two and a half decades. However, the crucial hurdle remains: do the Wild have sufficient assets to execute such a high-profile trade?
According to Russo, any potential deal for a player of Matthews’ caliber would likely set a high bar, possibly requiring a package similar to what was once discussed for Quinn Hughes. The Wild, after previous transactions, currently lack the depth of assets to meet such a demand. Russo pointed out that prospects like Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, and a first-round pick—a hypothetical package for a top player—are no longer readily available. The recent Marat Khusnutdinov trade further diminished their pool of tradeable prospects.
Despite these asset constraints, Guerin’s determination to make a significant move is evident. The Wild have previously made strong pushes for players like Robert Thomas and Vincent Trocheck, and they attempted a major acquisition at the recent trade deadline, albeit unsuccessfully. While a trade for Matthews appears challenging given the Wild’s current asset situation—unless Matthews were to express a specific desire to join Minnesota—Guerin is expected to be highly motivated this summer to make a significant impact. Current trade assets might include Jesper Wallstedt, Daniil Yurov, and Charlie Stramel, but Russo expressed doubt that these alone would be enough for a generational talent like Matthews. Guerin’s desire to secure a top center is clear, but the practical ability to execute a trade for a player of Matthews’ magnitude remains a significant challenge.
