Rumor: Minnesota Wild Kicking Tires On A Jack Eichel Trade

According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the Minnesota Wild have had preliminary discussions with the Buffalo Sabres regarding a trade for Jack Eichel. The Wild currently have $22 million in cap space going into the summer and possess five picks in the first three rounds of the 2021 NHL Draft. It seems likely that some of these picks would be on offer to entice the Sabres into finding a deal that works. 

While the Wild do have cap space to work with, they have some important players they need to ink to new deals. All three of Joel Eriksson Ek, Kevin Fiala, and Kirill Kaprizov reach RFA status this summer. Kaprizov understandably has requested that the Wild make significant strides to upgrade their depth at center if they want him to sign long term, and if reports are to be believed they are offering the Calder Trophy nominee and front runner a max-term contract upwards of $8 million.

The search for a legitimate top centerman has been a struggle for the Wild since their inception in the year 2000. While Eriksson Ek took major strides this year - finishing the year with 19 goals and 11 assists - they lack the game-breaking nature that a true #1 center brings. Adding Jack Eichel to the lineiup would certainly solve that problem. He won't come cheap, and Minnesota will have to pony up in a big way if they want to get a deal done. Can you see it happening?

Photo Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports