On the Minnesota Wild …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Looking at areas that Wild GM Chuck Fletcher should focus on this offseason.
- Hire a head coach – John Torchetti did a good job after taking over from Mike Yeo, but was it enough? Fletcher could go the experienced route, but there isn’t many out there – Marc Crawford or Guy Boucher?
- Trade for a young center for their top two lines – Not a new area that needs addressed. The Oilers could move a young player like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Matt Duchene could be available to. At the deadline, there was some talk that the Wild were interested in Alex Galchenyuk. The Wild have some good, young defenseman that they could move.
- Cut ties with Thomas Vanek – He has a no-movement clause and carries a $6.5 million cap hit next year. Maybe the Sabres would be interested in him at the right price – maybe for one of their good, young centers.
Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press: Thomas Vanek understands the business of hockey and realizes that the Wild could buy him out this offseason.
“I do understand the business side of it,” he said. “Again, I’m not happy with my year, but at the same time, I truly still believe that I’m a 30-goal scorer in this league. I’ll worry about myself, have a good summer and be ready to go.”
Vanek is entering the final year of his three-year, $19.5 million deal. He’s only scored 39 goals in 154 games for the Wild.
If bought out, it might free up some money to go after a UFA like Kyle Okposo.
Vanek hopes to return next year.
“I hope so. I signed here not because this is where I live, I signed here because I truly love it here and I want to win here. That would be a dream come true.”