Bill Guerin Reportedly Bugging Steve Yzerman Daily
In case you haven’t heard, the Minnesota Wild’s offseason is being held hostage by Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, as he decides on how, when or if to trade Olympic Gold Medal winning centerman, Dylan Larkin.
Until a decision comes to pass, Wild president of hockey operations Bill Guerin can’t afford to re-sign any pending free agents (other than Michael McCarron) or make any other key roster decisions, because he might need that money.
July 1 is also the first day Quinn Hughes is eligible to sign an extension that owner Craig Leipold all but guaranteed will happen on MPR News Radio earlier today.
MN Wild don’t have the assets to land Dylan Larkin
Around the same time Leipold’s interview dropped, so did a new co-authored report out of The Athletic by Wild insiders Michael Russo and Joe Smith regarding the latest in trade talks between Detroit and Minnesota.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t exactly portray positive vibes around the Wild landing Larkin — who has a full no-trade clause and shouldn’t be afraid to use it.
The bad news? Larkin has expanded his [trade] list, and it’s painfully obvious that the Wild are short on the type of assets that Yzerman wants in exchange for his top center.
The Athletic
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Clearly, Yzerman doesn’t like any of the offers currently on the table for his top center, which last we heard doesn’t include any of Minnesota’s top-line veterans (like Eriksson Ek or Brodin) or NHL goalies.
That’s why the Red Wings haven’t traded Larkin and why the Yzerman continues to ask for additional teams the captain would agreeable to join.
With all that being said, if you think Detroit’s hesitancy might turn Bill Guerin off on pursuing his No. 1 offseason target, think again. In fact, it sounds like Billy is more committed than ever to reeling him in.
Bill Guerin refusing to let up on chase for Larkin
In their reporting today, Guerin is apparently on the phone bugging Yzerman about Larkin and workshopping solutions with power agent Pat Brisson EVERY SINGLE DAY — trying to find a third team or some other way to help push this deal across the finish line.
The Wild are in daily contact with Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and Larkin’s agent, Pat Brisson, in hopes of facilitating a trade, but there is no shortage of interest in the soon-to-be-30-year-old center, who would give Minnesota its long-needed No. 1 pivot and potentially the final piece in building a true Cup contender…
…The fact that Yzerman, Brisson and Bill Guerin remain in daily contact, though, means Minnesota is still trying to find a way, perhaps the most logical yet complicated way being to find a third team that can help Detroit receive the type of assets it wants in a completed package.
The Athletic
Related: Dylan Larkin’s Preferred Destination in Central… But Not Minnesota
At some point, Bill Guerin may not have a choice but to move on from his Dylan Larkin obsession, at least temporarily. Will he really let Mats Zuccarello hit free agency on July 1 or watch from the sidelines as other coveted players sign contracts elsewhere, just for the hope that Yzerman chooses their trade package?
That’s really not a viable plan, because it leaves Minnesota with very little control over what happens to their roster, should Detroit decide on another Larkin trade package… or to not deal him at all.
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