The Minnesota Wild may find themselves as sellers
David Pagnotta: Some of the top teams have a significant interest in Minnesota Wild center Eric Staal. He’s a pending UFA that has “a strategic 10-team no-trade list.”
Will be a tough decision for GM Paul Fenton if to keep or move him at the deadline.
David Pagnotta: Multiple sources have said that there has been contract talk between Fenton and Staal. They could work out a deal, and it’s possible he could be moved.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Eric Staal’s 10-team no-trade list is mostly made up of teams that are playoff contenders which was designed to give him a lot control.
Staal may prefer to remain in Minnesota given how the last time he was traded at the deadline went – Carolina to NY Rangers.
Though they may be on his no-trade list, the Winnipeg Jets might come calling if they aren’t able to land either Mark Stone and/or Matt Duchene.
Jon Lane of NHL.com: The Wild have some key games coming up before the deadline and it could have an impact on their deadline plans.
“There will be some hard decisions to make come the trade deadline, but in the next 10 days or so, it will be determined by just how people play,” Fenton said.
“The Western Conference has some very, very good teams. How we match up is still to be determined. We have internal players right now that we’re utilizing to hopefully have other people step up to replace Mikko in our lineup”
Michael Russo of The Athletic: It is believed that Wild owner Craig Leopold met with GM Paul Fenton, with Fenton having the go-ahead to improve the team now or with an eye for the future.
Fenton could move some of their core players that would hinder their playoff chances.
Eric Staal and Eric Fehr could be traded as rentals.
Core players that could moved include Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund, Jason Zucker and Jonas Brodin.
Others that could be moved include Greg Pateryn, Joel Eriksson Ek, Jared Spurgeon, Brad Hunt, Nate Prosser and Anthony Bitetto.
Mikko Koivu is done for the year, and possibly Matt Dumba as well.