All the experts expect to see a major trade materialize on the Wild's side. A mission impossible indeed awaits GM Bill Guerin this summer, as Fiala will be in search of a new monster contract, but there's a big problem on the horizon.
Due to the buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, Minnesota will literally have no money (buyouts that take about $12.75 million off the Wild's payroll for next year) Ouch!
According to many, it's almost impossible for Fiala to stay in Minnesota. They simply have no room to maneuver under the salary cap.
On the other hand, Wild fans would really like their GM to find another alternative (trade other players) and keep Fiala, who has 33 goals and 85 points this season.
The least we can say? We can forget about the project.
As my colleague Christian Matte (Marqueur.com) reports, the Wild GM was being interviewed on radio station KFAN, and he went on to make some pretty major statements.
Asked if he would trade Dumba, instead of Fiala, see his very clear and direct answer:
He's belittling his club's second-best player, who has 85 points and 33 goals this season, 40 points in 49 games last season, 54 points in 64 games the season before that (Wild high). That's clearly more than "three good months."
Wow, imagine if Kent Hughes said that about Cole Caufield or Nick Suzuki!
Clearly, Guerin seems determined to trade Kevin Fiala (that's pretty much what he just announced), we're talking about a 25 year old star winger here, and if I were general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, I'd definitely give him a call.
This is an opportunity not to be missed, and the CH has exactly what the Wild is looking for. (picks and youth on a rookie contract)
POLL | ||
25 MAI | 453 ANSWERS Wild GM has just revealed that Kevin Fiala will be traded and Montreal must get involved Would you like to see Kent Hughes acquire Kevin Fiala? | ||
Ohh yea! | 243 | 53.6 % |
No | 89 | 19.6 % |
Not so sure | 121 | 26.7 % |
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