Elias Pettersson should be the top goal of Minnesota – Minnesota Wild

On Sunday we asked a simple question with a complicated answer: after the Dallas stars had received Mikko Rantanen, how could the wild poach a similar superstar to keep track of? We left the question open at the time, but to be honest? There is a fairly clear answer. And it stared into Minnesota right in the face for hours after the trade theadline.

Elias Pettersson broke the score open on the 3-1 victory of Friday evening at the Minnesota Wild. But it was a real opportunity that Pettersson may not have played in that game at all. The Vancouver Canucks were Allegedly entertaining offers In their star center prior to the Handelsdeadline. Nobody offered enough to land him. Yet it is interesting that Pettersson was still on the table, even after the team tried it Solve a gap Between him and JT Miller through trade The last.

On the other hand, Vancouver this year has been the definition of “controversial” and Pettersson is not exempt from the struggles of the team. Pettersson's goal on Friday was only his 12th of the season, and he only has 36 points in 56 games. That is not only a drop of his 103-point highlight in 2022-23; He has fewer points in more games than Mats Zuccarello. If Pettersson talked until yesterday, it is not difficult to imagine that both parties want to turn the page around this summer.

Although the Wild Pettersson could not sniff at the Trade Deadline, they must be ready to stop this summer. Among everyone, Minnesota could get theoretical for their “Christmas morning”, Pettersson checks the most boxes.

First, he has the star power to match Dallas Landing Rantanen. Per Evolving hockeyRantanen has been worth 25.0 classification points above replacement since the 2020-21 season. If you read our Sunday piece, you know that it is connected to Kirill Kaprizov for the 13th under NHL skaters. Pettersson is ahead of both, with 26.1 Spar since 2020-21. That is 10th in the NHL at the time.

Imagine a world where Kaprizov is not the best player on the wild. Adding Pettersson is one of the few ways that can become a reality.

That is the most important advantage, but Pettersson offers the wild more than its talent. Their search for a no. 1 center would end as soon as they closed such a deal. The days of debating or Joel Eriksson Ek or Marco Rossi are Actually A no. 1 center would be in the past.Nhl.com Ranked Pettersson as the 10th best center in the competition in August.Elite -Prospects Had him ninth. ESPN's research into NHL players and managers Had him in 10th place last season. Even if he has hurt his stock since then, Pettersson is still a slam-dunk no. 1 pivot point.

That not only helps the top of the line -up. Yet the proposal of Pettersson that builds Zuccarello-like magic with Kaprizov is enough to let someone drool. Having an upper center, however, is a stronger stronger for a team like the wildlife. Sliding Eriksson EK and/or Rossi in the Line -Up also gives significant bumps for the second and third lines.

Then there are Pettersson's contractWhat a sticker shock wears in six remaining years on an AAV of $ 11.6 million. Yet with the Cap RisingThat is a function, not a bug. It does two things for the wild. First, the Kaprizov gives a Helluva root to stay.Stay around, and you have a 26-year-old Star Center that you prepare for one-timers for the next six years.

It is just as important that Pettersson would provide Minnesota Kaprizov insurance. Suppose the game cannot agree on a long -term contract with Kaprizov. Subsequently, their long -term plan becomes dependent on maximizing Rossi, Matt Boldy, Danila Yurov, Jesper Wallstedt, David Jiricek and the talents of Zeev Buizum. Still possible, certainly, but it is a much more difficult path to a Stanley Cup. Although it would certainly not be Good To let Kaprizov leave, even with Pettersson in the fold, at least it ensures that they would stay a net neutral in superstars compared to where they are now.

The problem is that if De Wild wants to make a superstar trade like Dallas did, they probably have to pay a price in Texas for Pettersson.

Yet it is So Difficult to pay too much for a real top-15 player in the NHL. The Florida Panthers got Matthew Tkachuk, and it cost them a top-line ahead and came from a 115-point season in Jonathan Hubermdeau and a best-mating defender in Mackenzie Weegar. Worth it, no doubt. Florida has a cup ring to show it.

Dallas gave up a top young player in Logan Stankoven and two picks in the first round to perform a trade and extend for Rantanen. A high price? Of course, but the stars can easily win a cup this year and have locked up a superstar player for a prize under the market. Every team that wants to compete must be willing to take that step.

It will be difficult for Minnesota to pay too much for Pettersson, especially with a down season and the unrest of Vancouver. What would that cost? The Wild has options.

If Vancouver is willing to deal with a prospect -oriented package such as the Carolina Hurricanes on the market in Rantanen, Minnesota is more than equipped to follow that route. Danila Yurov is a highest prospect, and at 21 and with three seasons in the KHL he is close to NHL-ready. Minnesota is not the owner of their 2025 First-rounder, but they have their 2026 first and second-class prospects such as Liam Hgren And Riley heals to offer.

If the Canucks are looking for a more direct return, the game can also offer it. In most circumstances, exchanging a cost-driven young target scorer such as Boldy or a 23-year-old center in the increase in Rossi would be insane. But for Pettersson? If the actions of one of those players are the costs to do business, you must persuade the tractor.

Maybe you think his Down season makes Pettersson a risk. Maybe, but not as great a risk as the Vegas Golden Knights took act for Jack Eichel while he needed unprecedented back surgery. But we know how it ended for the cup -winning knights.

Pettersson-Kaliber players just don't come on the market often and teams are rewarded for taking advantage when they do. It is difficult to see that De Wild has a greater chance of setting up their team for success on “Christmas Morning” than with a profession for the best young center of Vancouver. Minnesota must move heaven and earth to get it done when it is on the table.