MN Wild Still in on Top Trade Target, but They’re Not Alone

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Vincent Trocheck
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild have now played four games since returning from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where three Wild players, along with their head coach and president of hockey operations all played major roles in Team USA bringing home its first gold medal since 1980.

This week, John Hynes and his crew are back in St. Paul, getting into the NHL swing of things. On Tuesday, Minnesota trounced Tampa Bay 5-1, bouncing back from a tough two-game losing skid that dropped them down a notch in the Central Division standings.

So now, Bill Guerin has to figure out how to best add to the MN Wild roster prior to the NHL trade , as they prepare for a stretch run that they hope will launch them into a playoff run to the likes of which this franchise hasn’t seen in decades.

To this point, we’ve seen the Wild make a couple of moves to strengthen their depth up the middle, claiming Robby Fabbri off waivers and trading a second round pick to Nashville for Michael McCarron — two moves also meant to help Minnesota in the faceoff circle, where they desperately need it.

Vincent Trocheck is drawing interest beyond Minnesota Wild

But from all accounts, Guerin isn’t done yet. While the MN Wild have been connected to multiple forwards leading up to Friday’s trade deadline, it’s Vincent Trocheck (Rangers) who seems to be Billy’s No. 1 target.

With less than 48 hours until the buzzer goes off, according to multiple reports, the Minnesota Wild remain the top team vying for the Gold Medal winning American centerman.

However, multiple teams remain in the running — including the Detroit Red Wings who are making a late push, per Jess Myers (Pioneer Press). Meanwhile, Emily Kaplan (ESPN) says the Wild’s offers have centered around one of their last remaining top prospects, Charlie Stramel and their 2027 1st round pick.

There has been plenty of interest from teams other than Minnesota, whose trade offer I believe centers around prospect Charlie Stramel and a 2027 first-round pick as well as another player or prospect. Trocheck holds a 12-team no-trade list and has said many teams on the West Coast are on it, for family reasons. Rangers GM Chris Drury has told peers that because he has Trocheck under contract for three more seasons, he doesn’t necessarily have to do anything now. That could just be posturing.

Emily Kaplan – ESPN

In his 13th NHL season, and now at 32 years old, Trocheck is still doing the thing. Across 46 games for the New York Rangers, he has 12 goals and 17 assists for 39 points. His minus-15 is a problem, but the Rangers are also just 23-29-8 on the year.

Additional teams being interested in Trocheck only muddy the waters for Minnesota. Guerin doesn’t have a substantial amount to trade when it comes to realistic assets, and that’s a reflection of the post Quinn Hughes deal as much as it is their moves for the past couple of years.

Trocheck would give the MN Wild an immediate upgrade at their weakest position. The two-time All-Star has played in 56 career playoff games, and could provide a significant boost for a Wild team looking to reel in a Stanley Cup.

What does a MN Wild trade for Trocheck look like?

The MN Wild used the 21st overall pick on Charlie Stramel in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Rosemount, MN native transferred from Wisconsin to Michigan State and has been beyond impressive this season.

With the Spartans, Stramel has 22 goals and 22 assists in just 35 games. He looks like one of the best center prospects in hockey, and has held that position on the top line at the collegiate level.

There has been plenty of steam that the Minnesota Wild may need to trade goaltender Jesper Wallstedt. Getting a deal done without including him would keep a strong pair of netminders intact, and allow for a significant acquisition to make their impact down the stretch as well.

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