Minnesota Wild Looking At Trade For Middle-Six Forward
With that, insider Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff confirms that GM Bill Guerin is not content sitting around waiting for the trade deadline.
Speaking with a team source earlier this week, the Wild are in the market to bolster their middle-six forward group – even though we are less than a month into the 2025-26 campaign.
The loss of Mats Zuccarello for the beginning of this season has not helped.
Di Marco reveals that the Wild were planning last June to take a good run at landing the Vancouver Canucks' then-pending UFA winger Brock Boeser before he wound up re-upping in B.C.
He also notes that with the re-signing of Marco Rossi and his strong start to the season (11 points in 11 games), the need for a center that dominated their summer has now given way to a more extensive search.
"The priority for the Wild is adding offensive depth to their middle six – no matter the position."
Minnesota Wild are 'fans' of Nazem Kadri
The most talked-about potential trade candidate in the NHL this season, Nazem Kadri (a center, by the way), seems to be a top target for Minnesota.
"Though I have not heard that the Wild have directly reached out to the Flames regarding Kadri, I can say with certainty that there are those in the Minnesota front office who are fans of the 35-year-old".
Casey Mittelstadt linked to the Wild
Turning his attention to the Boston Bruins, Casey Mittelstadt is a name that Di Marco believes "could make sense for the Wild." His name has been on the rumor mill, as the Bruins are believed to want to move on from the former Buffalo Sabres' Top 10 draft pick. Mittelstadt is also, technically, a center, but he's been playing on the wing for Boston this season, alongside another name that's dominated the rumor mill, Pavel Zacha.
In any case, given the Wild's slow start (3-6-3) and offensive sluggishness, we should expect Guerin to try to make a move long before the trade deadline to beef up his middle-six.
Photo: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
