Wild GM Guerin forced to trade star player in blockbuster move

The Minnesota Wild’s playoff run was too short, and already, general manager Bill Guerin has so tough decisions to make. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek are pretty convinced that Guerin won’t be able to keep forward Kevin Fiala, a pending restricted free agent. The Wild’s cap situation doesn’t really allow them the money to keep him, prompting the insiders to predict a trade in Minnesota.

But this is a huge piece to let go for the Wild: Fiala scored 85 points in 82 games this season! That's got to be tough. 

Following the costly buyouts of veteran players Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, Guerin is left with no choice but to move Fiala before the opening of free agency. Friedman and Marek explained on the 32 Thoughts podcast that, in order to keep Fiala in Minnesota, too many established players on the roster would have to be sacrificed and it seems inevitable today that Fiala will be the one to go.

They expect a trade to take place at the NHL Draft, which will take place on July 7 and 8 in Montreal. The insiders also believe that the blockbuster deal will demand several prospects and/or quality draft picks in return, in order for the Wild to respect cap limitations.

Fiala cashed in an annual salary of $5.1 million, is expected to be eligible for a significant salary increase. And all that points out to his next contract being with another team than the Wild!