Wild GM Bill Guerin's Bold Statement Nobody in this game is untouchable

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 ,


 

The Minnesota Wild, under head coach John Hynes, made it to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. He dragged a team that general manager Bill Guerin constructed. 

Guerin traded for defenseman Quinn Hughes, but he wasn't the final puzzle piece to lead the Wild to a Stanley Cup.

The Wild are a team built with plenty of skill and size, but their 3.27 goals for per 60 were unable to defeat a Colorado Avalanche team that's played consistent hockey with (3.63 gf/60). 

As the postseason progresses, the team will have to consider the next steps with talent who may or may not be back in 2026-27. 

For Wild GM Guerin, he wasn't shy about who could be placed on the trade block after their disappointing finish. He's been as bold as to say that no one is untouchable during his postseason press conference.

Could that mean $17 million forward Kirill Kaprizov, or goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, are pieces who could be moved to help build a future Stanley Cup-winning roster?

Who, realistically, is on the Wild's trade board this postseason? 

Wallstedt was a part of trade rumors that involved divisional rivals, the St. Louis Blues. In an attempt to acquire Robert Thomas, Wallstedt and center Danila Yurov were the package proposed for the Blues' Thomas. 

Wallstedt put up a solid performance in the postseason with a 2.77 goals-against average, a record of 5-3-2, and a .909 save percentage. 

“Nobody in this game is untouchable. Wayne Gretzky got traded.”

If Guerin is serious about upgrading their lineup and keeping their salary cap manageable, they'll have to let free agents walk and consider trading top-tier talent. 

In playoff games this season, Kirill Kaprizov scored 15 points (11 goals, 4 assists). It seems highly unlikely that Guerin moves off on Kaprizov, considering he's a reliable producer during the regular season. 

Could It Be Jesper Wallstedt and Danila Yurov?

If Wallstedt was a piece he was willing to move for Thomas, you have to wonder if this will be a subject GM Guerin revisits in the summer, especially if Yurov was another piece attached. 

Danila Yurov was selected 24th overall in 2022 by the Wild and has earned a full-time job in the NHL this season. He's scored 3 points (1-2) in 9 playoff games as a top-nine center. He makes $950K AAV against the Wild's cap space, and his contract expires in 2028.

Cost-controlled contracts (RFAs) get decent returns, and Yurov could fetch a nice win-now piece from the right team. 

It's not difficult to discern that these two could be two pieces of trade bait come July. 

Matt Blewell-Imagn Images

 

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