Major trade proposal between the Canadiens and the Minnesota Wild
PUBLICATION
Jeff Drouin
May 28, 2022 (12:00)
Earlier this week, we told you about a recent very interesting interview with Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin, and it could have important impacts on the trade market:
Basically, according to most experts, it's almost impossible for star winger
Kevin Fiala to stay in Minnesota this summer. They simply have no room to maneuver under the salary cap, due to the contract buyouts of
Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, which cuts nearly $13 million from their payroll.
Wild fans would really like their GM to find another alternative (trade other players) and retain the services of Fiala, who has 33 goals and 85 points this season.
However, in light of Guerin's comments, we can obviously forget about it.
When asked if he would trade a player like Dumba instead of Fiala, see his very clear and direct answer:
"Everyone has their flaws. Kevin hasn't been good during the playoffs, but people are all dying to keep him. [...] I like
Matt Dumba. I think he's a damn good defenseman, and people want to run him out of town just because Kevin had a good three months." - Bill Guerin
Fiala has 85 points and 33 goals this season, he had 40 points in 49 games last season and 54 points in 64 games the season before that (Wild high). That's clearly more than "three good months."
But hey, it clearly seems to be over for him in Minnesota and indeed, as we were telling you, I sincerely believe that Kent Hughes needs to find out. (imagine him with
Cole Caufield and
Nick Suzuki)
In any case, if I were general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, I would definitely call him (the Wild GM), especially since the CH has exactly what Bill Guerin is looking for. (picks and youngsters on a rookie contract)
Many of you have been asking us for more tangible proposals, so here goes.
Considering that, according to Minnesota Wild reporter Michael Russo, the comparable trade here will be
Sam Reinhart (between Buffalo and Florida), it would go something like this:
TO THE CANADIENS: Kevin Fiala
Would you make this trade for the Montreal Canadiens?
Remember that last summer, Reinhart went from the Buffalo Sabres to the Florida Panthers, and he cost: prospect
Devon Levi (goalie) + a late 2022 first round pick.
Previously on HabsFanatics
POLL |
MAI 28 | 559 ANSWERS Major trade proposal between the Canadiens and the Minnesota Wild Would you trade the Flames' 2022 1st round pick + Ylonen or Primeau or Norlinder, for Kevin Fiala? |
Yes with Primeau | 66 | 11.8 % |
Yes with Norlinder | 167 | 29.9 % |
Yes with Ylonen | 139 | 24.9 % |
No! | 187 | 33.5 % |
List of polls |