The Minnesota Wild have traded forward Nino Niederreiter to the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Viktor Rask.
The 26-year old Niederreiter was drafted 5th overall in the 2010 draft by the New York Islanders. He carries a $5.25 million salary cap hit for the next three seasons.
The 25-year old Rask as drafted 42nd overall in the 2nd round of the 2011 draft by the Hurricanes. He carries a $4 million salary cap hit for another three seasons.
Chad Graff: Wild GM Paul Fenton on Rask: “Potentially he could be a No. 2 or a 3 center. He has the capability of playing the wing as well. My experience tells me you can’t have enough centers.”
Michael Russo: “Fenton says this will look like a good trade if Rask comes in and scores like his upside says he should…Little younger than Nino, center, saves a little money is the reason for the move”
Thoughts from the media
Luke DeCock: “The Hurricanes would have taken a bag of pucks to get out from under Rask’s contract. Instead they take on some salary and get a useful forward, which Rask was not most of the time. He picked a really good time to have a good night in an otherwise bad game against the Rangers.”
Chad Graff: “I’m struggling to find a reason why the #MNWild would make this move beyond saving money and wanting a center. Paul Fenton will talk soon and perhaps give more of an explanation.”
Joe Yerdon: “I’m a big Nino Niederreiter fan as it is so seeing Carolina add him to their burgeoning offensive team is fun for the Canes. Maybe less so for those running after playoff spots against them.”
Adam Gretz: “The Hurricanes and Wild made a trade today. I don’t get it for the Wild. Even if there is another move to be made I still don’t get it for the Wild.”
Chris Johnston: “No salary retained in that Niederreiter/Rask deal. Carolina is assuming $1.25M in additional cap commitments for the next three seasons as a result.”
Matt Larkin: “Minnesota: we shall buy low on Nino Niederreiter from the Islanders Also Minnesota: we shall sell low on Nino Niederreiter to the Hurricanes”
Michael Russo: “Unless plan is to play Rask at wing, which would surprise me, I think Coyle has to move to wing”
I assume someone’s already done this but just in case, here’s the SKATR comparison for Niedereiter and Rask. This might turn out to be a ‘Rask’ decision by Minnesota if anyone cares about current 5v5 performance. #mnwild #Takewarninghttps://t.co/gVthkzLNLd pic.twitter.com/jDNpXhbahI
— Bill Comeau 🏒📊🇨🇦 (@billius27) January 17, 2019
Nino Niederreiter
Viktor Rask