The Minnesota Wild are set to get Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon back today, but they’re still hurting. Defenseman Jonas Brodin and left winger Marcus Johansson are still on injured reserve. Rumor is Minnesota will be looking to add a center who can also play left wing at the NHL trade deadline. Could “one-of-us” Brock Nelson fit that bill?
The Minnesota Wild trade deadline problem
Michael Russo of The Athletic seems to think Brock Nelson is dead-set on returning home to Minnesota (see below). The pending free agent carries a $6-million annual average salary, a large chunk of which the New York Islanders would have to pay.
The problem is the Wild have no payroll flexibility. Unless they were to lose a big contract player to season-long injured reserve – which nobody wants – it’s going to be hard to make any significant moves. That’s unless a team is willing to eat salary for increased draft capital or better prospects. Unfortunately, Minnesota already flipped their 2025 first-round pick for David Jiříček, too.
The Wild have $100,242 in cap space and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 that can be moved. Those tight financial restrictions will make it difficult to acquire Nelson in-season. But even if they wait until the offseason, Russo seems pretty confident the Warroad, MN native is coming home sooner than later.
The Wild have no cap space assuming they don’t have a player on season-ending LTIR at some point. There’s also no guarantee the Islanders trade [Brock Nelson]. Lou Lamoriello has a history of letting guys walk for nothing. (See: Zach Parise.)
So, we have to see what the cap space is as we get closer to the deadline. I really think the Wild are signing him this offseason, so how much do you really want to give up for somebody you can get this summer without getting rid of assets?
-Michael Russo, The Athletic (subscription required)
The making of a Wild + Brock Nelson trade
Brock Nelson would bring a big boost to the Wild’s offense, especially on the faceoff dot. He’s won a career-high 53.7 percent of faceoffs this season and his possession metrics are above average. Nelson is also skating more than ever, logging 19:13 in ice time per game. He’s got 13 goals and 15 assists over 46 games played.
Given how Nelson has played this season, a first-round pick will assuredly be required if the Minnesota Wild are to acquire him in-season. The Islanders would have to pay the entirety of his salary after all. But by the March 7 trade deadline, the Islanders will have just 31 games remaining. That’s 38 percent of the season, so the Islanders would basically pay $2.268 million for a first-round pick. That’s unlikely.
The Wild could also work out a sign-and-trade with New York, negotiating a long-term deal that pays Nelson’s remaining 2025 salary over, say, the next two seasons. Nelson will be 34 next season, so a three-year deal isn’t out of the question. The Islanders have $20.56 million in projected cap space next season, per Puckpedia, so it’s at least possible.
What Brock Nelson could bring the Minnesota Wild this season…
The Wild would certainly benefit from acquiring Brock Nelson in-season. It’s the kind of addition that will undoubtedly increase their chances to contend. In three games against the West-leading Winnipeg Jets, the Wild have averaged 0.67 goals per game. The offense of Brock Nelson would help the Wild overcome the league’s best goaltender in Connor Hellebuyck.
The Minnesota Wild have also struggled scoring against the other teams atop the West. Against the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota has one goal in two games. And in two games against Vegas, the Wild have scored thrice. Minnesota has just two goals per game against Colorado and Dallas as well.
While trading for Brock Nelson suits the Wild this season, it’s highly unlikely…but not impossible. What’s certain is Minnesota needs to make a move if they want to contend this season. Regardless, some of the roughly $15 million in cap space the Minnesota Wild have next season will likely be used to bring Brock Nelson home – and maybe a little bit extra, depending on how the next three to six months unfold.
…we don’t think he’s a realistic option for the Wild next summer. Mikko Rantanen would be worth taking a big swing on, though it’s more likely the Colorado Avalanche lock him up. The more realistic scenarios for the Wild are the likes of Nelson and Boeser, with the latter more of an option if Rossi isn’t re-signed or is traded.
-Michael Russo, The Athletic (subscription required)
