Panthers counter with borgstrom and a first for kaprizov

But what if Barkov doesn't want to stay there? That's the intriguing thing with him.

even if he didn't want an extension before this year (unlikely), now that we are winning there is almost no reason for him to want to leave

I'm not saying he's going to leave, but the reason I have the trade this way is because it would technically be for one year of the guy. But get ready for the mass Barkov offers on here if he goes into next season without an extension. Also I would think money might be a factor with an owner that doesn't seem to want to spend to the cap, with Huberdeau potentially needing an extension the following summer too. Who knows though, speculation is fun.

But you said in the description "with extension"

I meant he signs an extension afterwards, that's just there so the Wild fans don't freak out over trading all of that for one year of a guy.

All that? That really isn't all too good of a package for a player like barkov... No real pieces that are particularly interesting

ouf not even 1 of Rossi/Boldy

Gretzky was traded for less. The point is this is all based on him not re-signing. They won't get this much for him at the deadline if it gets that far, and until he signs he's basically a rental in these offers. Obviously if the guy was in Eichel's contract position the Wild would be giving up Greenway, Dumba, multiple firsts plus plus for the guy.

or could just wait until July 1st and give up nothing?

This is a bit much IMO. I think one of the trio of Rossi/Boldy/Beckman would go along with a 1st and some thing else. I think Barkov is on the level of Stone and that got and A/B prospect and a 2nd. A whole year and the way they’re playing makes me think they’d want a decent roster player, does Fiala work for FLA? If it is Fiala maybe downgrade the prospect and add another pick/prospect? I just don’t see them want I get Dumba with Ekblad there.

Rossi and Boldy are def in the top 6 next season. No way they get moved. Beckman and two firsts I'd easily give up. I wouldn't give up Fiala when you have the potential for Barkov to just walk into Minnesota as a UFA the next year without giving Fiala up. Obviously none of this speculation exists if he isn't a pending UFA.

I see everything you’re saying but I counter that if Barkov truly is on the block, very few pieces get to be off the table. I know we’d want to keep Boldy and Rossi but it would be very reasonable for FLA to insist on that. As for Fiala, I’m wondering if he gets a deal that walks him to UFA with the intention of trading him that last year. The Wild have a serious cap problem the next couple years and I would gladly give up Fiala in a package for Barkov.

Yes let’s leave first place Florida with nice sunny weather for freezing cold Minnesota who’s also good this year.

I think the cap problem is overblown. Soucy, Greenway, Hartman or Foligno are likely gone in expansion. If Dumba is moved to protect the forwards (for futures even), and Soucy is the guy that Seattle likely takes (unless they want Talbot?), you're freeing up $9 million there. They could keep Rask for the final year instead of a buyout if they don't go after Barkov or Eichel, and they have Rossi, Boldy and Addison on ELC for the entirety of Zuccarello's contract. Fiala, Ek and Kaprizov are easily affordable now, and Greenway and Kahkonen wouldn't be so tough to get under the cap the following season either. Parise is also a wildcard. Honestly I think the Wild just go hard after RNH in the summer.

sorry but barkovs worth a hell of a lot more than that

Yikes, 20 mil of the 30 that’s opening in the off-season is going to the Kap, Ek, Fiala trio. Cap isn’t as simple as some people want it to be. Bridging those guys is a fools errand.

Yes, no bridges. There still shouldn't be cap issues the following year, especially if Greenway slows down. Those 3 ELCs, plus a 4th if Beckman arrives eventually, really help the Wild during Parise and Zucc's contracts.