SJ takes this in a heartbeat. Good for both teams.

An overpay in the short-term, plus terrible for the Wild's long-term plans. Minnesota declines.

No way Minny gives up that much.

What if they didn't have to include Greenway? Or perhaps the 1st becomes a 2nd instead

The problem is not Greenway or the final spot the pick is in. I think most of us aren't comfortable in giving away a blue-chip, elite talent like Rossi for Hertl.

Fair enough. So what would your idea be for a hypothetical Hertl trade? If San Jose is trading him, they would want some kind of high prospect I imagine.

Minny says "Oh goodness... Bless your Heart.... No thank you but we appreciate the offer. Say hi to your folks for me." (which is 'Minnesota-Nice' for "Hell no, get the F out of my office").

GMBG has to pretty much become the Billy Beane of NHL GMs for the next few years. He has to find cheap ways to manufacture production. If we review this trade from a cap perspective - Minny is trading two, possibly 3, roster players at roughly 7M AAV (if we include Rossi's salary). They are taking on one player @ 5.5M. That leaves them with 1.5M to fill two additional spots.

Now let's look at production (we'll just use last year's stats). Minny is trading 16G and 39A. Greenway and Rask didn't spend a ton of time on the ice together so I doubt there's much crossover in those numbers. They'd be getting 19G and 24A in return.

So, in terms of 'net gain / loss', Minnesota is trading Rossi and a first for 3G and -15A. Plus, they have to hit the market and find a way to add two additional forwards at league minimum. I don't see that happening.

I really believe the only way Minny trades for a #1 C is if Dumba is involved. They are in a position where the 'NHL cap hit and roster spots' need to be as close to 1:1 as possible. Additionally, I don't see them trading any high-end F or D prospects. Minny REALLY needs as many entry-level contracts on the NHL roster as possible due to their cap situation.

All of that said, I think a more 'realistic' deal would be something like this:

Dumba+(Khak or Wellstedt)+Pick(s)

Dumba is in the deal to free up enough cap space to bring in Hertl. He is definitely an 'offense first' type d-man. Playing with Burns and Karlsson might help get him to the next level. Ironically, he is about the same age as Burns was when Minny traded him to San Jose. Minny got Seto, Coyle and a first. San Jose got the best offensive D-man in the league for the next 5-6 years.

I also think that San Jose would be interested in a high end goaltending prospect. Their situation in net has been 'unstable' for quite some time. I doubt they'd scoff at a potential franchise goalie. Khak and Wellstedt are close enough in age that I don't see Minny holding on to both of them. Then I'm sure there's be an exchange of picks to level out any differences in value.

But, in the end, the NHL roster count and cap hit need to be at 1:1 (or close to it) in order for Minny to make any sort of significant trade.

I like this assessment. I sure hope that if a goaltender were involved in that kind of trade, that it would involve anyone else other than Wallstedt, sounds like his ceiling is the highest.

Agreed! I really don't care about giving away Greenway. I wanna see what Rossi develops into. He's gonna get every opportunity to succeed. I'd say the reason they haven't pulled the trigger on a center would be to see where they stand with Rossi. We'll know more come training camp. Can he come in and compete for a 2nd or 3rd center spot or does he need time in Iowa. If it's the latter then I bet you could see MN making a deal for a center later. Money wise also makes sense to keep Rossi. We're gonna have to pay hertl $7-8 million annually to resign him. Rossi will save them a ton with the cap hell they'll be in. We'll have Rossi coming. Then khovanov and that other Russian kid coming eventually. Imagine if those guy pan out and we are able to get Kaprizov to sign a 5 year deal.

Greenway was part of that line that got a lot of offense generated plus the other additions this trade is a no.