Report: The latest on Kevin Fiala trade talks from Elliotte Friedman

Earlier this week Vancouver Canucks insider Ben Kuzma of The Province newspaper reported that the team has been in contact with the Minnesota Wild about a potential trade involving Wild forward Kevin Fiala.

In particular, Kuzma reported that Wild GM Bill Guerin had been trying to pry forward J.T. Miller from Canucks GM Jim Benning.

More from Kuzma:

It’s J.T. Miller the Wild has called about.

The wolves are always at the door in sensing that a wounded club may be willing to part with a front-line player, if the return is right. And with the hockey operations department in turmoil as ownership ponders its next step, a trade might be a logical means to send a message.

In a Miller acquisition, the Wild would likely dangle winger Kevin Fiala, 25, who has had ample opportunity to score, but has just three goals despite 58 shots — which speaks to his minuscule 5.1 shooting percentage. He’s also in the final year of a contract that carries a US $5.1-million salary cap hit.

- Ben Kuzma

Take that for what it's worth because Miller's agent himself came out to say that his client has not been involved in trade talks at all.

So... I guess we can put that to rest.

But... Fiala still does seem to be in play according to multiple Wild insiders.

So... what's the latest on Fiala?

Elliotte Friedman reports that Guerin is in no rush to ship Fiala out of town, unless he can get equal or better value back in a swap.

From Friedman's latest 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

On Kevin Fiala: Minnesota’s at the top of the Central Division, and GM Bill Guerin is not going to make his team worse. He’s also not going to trade Fiala simply because of a slump, although the forward scored a big one in Tampa and another in the shootout Wednesday at New Jersey. So, if anything does happen, it’s going to be part of a plan to make them better.

- Kevin Fiala

Honestly, that makes perfect sense. You've got a winning lineup, why rush to make changes if you don't have to?