One Blackhawk the Minnesota Wild should target for a trade
By Jim Lynch
The Minnesota Wild have a really competitive roster that can definitely make some noise this postseason, the only issue is what are they going to do during the following seasons? The Wild are hung up against the salary cap thanks to the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. So, they are going to have to be smart with who to add this trade deadline.
Any additions the Wild make needs to start with a player with some term for a fair price. There is a player like that available in Chicago right now in Brandon Hagel. The Blackhawks are asking a high price for Hagel, but I think the Wild should pay for it.
Hagel is signed 2023-24 season at 1.5 million a year. That is an additional two years after this season of Brandon Hagel at just 1.5 million against the cap. Hagel has been one of the best players on the Hawks roster the past two seasons, playing in big roles for the team on the power play and penalty kill.
In 99 NHL games, Hagel has put up 51 points including 23 goals. He plays physically and would be a great addition to the third line for the Wild. So what price should the Wild be willing to pay for Hagel?
The Chicago Blackhawks are in rebuild mode, and the Minnesota Wild should be willing to pay that price.
Without a first-round pick this season, the Blackhawks are going to ask for a first for Hagel. Considering the amount of time he is signed for and how good the cap hit is, the Wild would be smart to pay that price. That might also be willing to add some more picks or prospects for another good young player on a good contract in Riley Stillman.
The Wild are going to want to make some out-of-the-box moves for players with term, and Riley Stillman is another example. The Blackhawks defenseman has two more seasons at under 1.5 million a year. That would give the Wild another defenseman to use on their blue line who can play a physical role. Considering the Blackhawks are in rebuild mode with a lot of defensemen already on the roster, they should be willing to part with Stillman.
It will be interesting to see how things play out over the course of the next month ahead of the deadline. One thing is for sure, there is going to be a lot of movement throughout the league.