Kevin Fiala linked to trade in the middle of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

In the National Hockey League you don't often hear talk of a player being traded in the middle of a playoff run and for good reason. It is easy to see how something like that could become a major distraction for both the player involved and his teammates, and teams would much prefer to remain focused on the task at hand.

In spite of that there now appears to be a rather significant rumor involving Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala, one that would appear to indicate that Fiala is currently playing out his final games as a member of the Wild.

On Saturday night, NHL analyst Jeff Marek reported on the rumors involving Fiala and linked the 25 year old forward to the New Jersey Devils organization. Marek cited several factors behind this move including the Devils' desire to add talent up front, their desire to add Fiala because of his shared nationality with Devils star Nico Hischier, and of course the Wild's own upcoming salary cap crunch.

"So Tom Fitzgerald, general manager of the New Jersey Devils, was talking to the assembled media and discussing that he might be amenable to moving their first round draft pick for an 'impact player,'" said Marek on Saturday night. "That's where we connect some dots here. I'm told the New Jersey Devils really do like Kevin Fiala and why not? Had a great season with 85 points, I'm sure they can probably see him playing with fellow countryman Nico Hischier as well. The Minnesota Wild are going through a cap crunch next season with the buyouts for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter as well."

Fiala had 33 goals and 52 assists for 85 points in 82 games this season for the Wild, inarguably the best season of his NHL career thus far. He currently carries a cap hit of $5.1 million but his contract will expire at the end of the season making him a restricted free agent. Marek also warned that, for this very reason, Fiala could also become the target of an offer sheet in the offseason.

"He may also, by the way, be the target of an offer sheet," said Marek in conclusion.