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The Minnesota Wild kept their trade assets around at the NHL's deadline earlier in March.
That might've been very much by design for GM Bill Guerin. There are big names potentially heading for some serious rumors this summer, including the Maple Leafs' Austin Matthews, Senators' Brady Tkachuk, Blues' Robert Thomas and Devils' Jack Hughes.
That's what The Athletic's Michael Russo suggests in a new article -- he thinks the Wild will go after another huge acquisition after getting Quinn Hughes from the Canucks during the season.
"There’s already speculation that something has to give in Toronto," Russo writes. "Could that something be trading the now-injured Matthews? Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (Quinn Hughes’ good friend) and St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas could also be available. Then there’s the New Jersey Devils, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, although Tom Fitzgerald has no desire to break up his core."
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Russo goes on to note the key pieces that Guerin still has at his disposal for a big trade.
"Because Guerin remained patient at the trade deadline, he now has multiple assets he can use for big-game hunting on the market in the summer, including (Jesper) Wallstedt, Danila Yurov, Charlie Stramel, Adam Benak and the team’s 2027 first-round pick," Russo writes.
Guerin has built plenty of relationships while running USA Hockey, which has to help his cause, too.
Don't be surprised if the Wild pull off something massive when the summer arrives.
And for any teams considering a trade of a star player -- the Wild may just have the assets to make a deal get to the finish line.
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