Report: The Wild Passed On Vincent Trocheck To Pursue Dylan Larkin

The Minnesota Wild have high hopes. 

With Vincent Trocheck traded to the Utah Mammoth, the team hasn't made any major moves this summer, with one purpose. 

They want to take a shot at acquiring Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin in a trade. This was reported by The Athletic's Michael Russo and Joe Smith. 

Michael Russo & Joe Smith: The Wild have been holding out hope for Dylan Larkin; essentially backed out of even attempting to trade for Vincent Trocheck this offseason because they were well aware Larkin wants to come to Minnesota - The Athletic (7/15)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 18, 2026

With this kind of reporting making waves, general manager Bill Guerin and the Wild can't do it yet, can they?  With $1.1 million in cap space available, they wouldn't be able to make a trade for Dylan Larkin, who makes $8.7 million AAV per PuckPedia. 

Larkin has kept the Wild on his list of teams to be traded to, which gives Guerin some leeway in making a pass on Trocheck, but if no trade occurs with the yet-to-be-hired GM in Detroit, it could be viewed as a potential fumble.

The Wild Fumbled Vincent Trocheck

Trocheck is a reliable two-way center who could've been helpful to the Wild's postseason plans, was traded to the Utah Mammoth for Sean Durzi, Cole Beaudoin, and a conditional 2027 3rd-round pick. 

His AAV is $5.625 million with two years left on his contract, making him a pending UFA in 2029. 

While Trocheck hasn't had a 70-point season since 2023-24, he is a great second-line center option on most teams, isn't afraid of hitting, and can play on special teams. 

Last season as a New York Ranger, he scored 53 points (16 goals, 37 assists), with 2 power-play goals, 2 shorthanded goals,625 face-off wins, and 193 hits. 

This seems like a situation that could end up blowing up in GM Bill Guerin's face if things go south.