Trade Overview
In a notable roster move, the Minnesota Wild have opted to trade center Freddy Gaudreau to the Seattle Kraken, securing a fourth-round pick in return. This decision seems primarily driven by the team’s desire to alleviate salary cap concerns, as they successfully offload Gaudreau’s contract, which has three years left at an annual cap hit of $2.1 million. The 32-year-old forward had a limited no-trade clause, allowing him to list 15 teams he was willing to be traded to.
Gaudreau’s Career with the Wild
Gaudreau first joined the Wild in 2021 on a two-year contract worth $2.4 million. The team rewarded his performance with a five-year, $10.5 million extension two years later, coinciding with the end of the season, during which he registered 19 goals and 19 assists. His production took a hit in the subsequent season due to injuries, resulting in just five goals and ten assists in 67 games. However, he rebounded in the recent season with 18 goals and a total of 37 points across 82 games, though he unfortunately did not contribute offensively during the playoffs.
Across his tenure with the Wild, Gaudreau recorded 56 goals and 134 points through 307 games. His overall NHL statistics include 61 goals and 152 points in 410 games, which also encompass his stints with the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Impact on the Team
With the trade now completed, the Wild’s available salary cap space has risen to approximately $17.7 million. This surplus will facilitate their quest for additional center depth, particularly as several promising players, such as Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium, David Jiricek, Jesper Wallstedt, and Danila Yurov, vie for spots on the opening night roster.
Presently, the team’s center lineup consists of Joel Eriksson Ek, Ryan Hartman (who can also play on the wing), and Marco Rossi, with the latter two being less established than Eriksson Ek.
Future Prospects
Reportedly, Minnesota has shown interest in acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the New York Islanders, who has one year left on his contract worth $5 million. They are also considering former Wild player Charlie Coyle from the Colorado Avalanche, who has a similar contract situation at $5.25 million. Pageau, notable for his faceoff prowess and penalty-killing skills, would be a valuable addition to the roster as he typically contributes around 40 points per season.
In the free agency market, Minnesota may also explore options among available bottom-six centers such as Sean Kuraly and Nico Sturm, among others. As the offseason progresses, the team will need to navigate the complexities of their unrestricted and restricted free agents while balancing roster hopefuls with existing contracts. Overall, this trade marks a significant step as the Wild prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
