The Minnesota Wild are facing some pivotal decisions as the March 3 trade deadline approaches. With a delicate balance between immediate success and maintaining their future assets, the team is in a tight spot. Enter Charlie Stramel, whose recent performances are adding complexity to the mix.
The Wild are keen to retain young center Danila Yurov, especially after trading Marco Rossi for Quinn Hughes. Jesper Wallstedt, a standout young goalie, is another player they’d prefer to hold onto.
This leaves Stramel, their 2023 first-round pick, as a potential trade piece for an upgrade. Trading him would sting, but sometimes you have to give to get.
Stramel, however, isn't making this decision easy. He’s been on a tear, showcasing his skills in a big game against Notre Dame, where he notched a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win for his Michigan State Spartans. This extended his goal streak to four games and his point streak to six, making him one of the top performers in college hockey.
Currently, Stramel ranks seventh in the NCAA with 19 goals and sixth with 40 points. He’s the first Wild draftee since Erik Haula in 2012-13 to hit the 40-point mark in college. Last season, he played alongside Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard, but this year, he’s become the driving force for his team.
Stramel’s rise complicates the decision to trade him or Yurov, yet it also presents a win-win scenario for the Wild. Stramel is now a blue-chip prospect, boasting impressive college stats and the physical attributes that made him a first-round pick: a big, fast, skilled, right-shot center.
Players like Stramel are rare. In the NHL, there are only a few right-shot centers who are 6-foot-3 or taller and average over half a point per game. This list includes names like Mark Scheifele and Tage Thompson, highlighting just how valuable Stramel could be.
Forget any doubts from his draft night or his time with the Wisconsin Badgers. GMs across the league will covet a player like Stramel, especially with his stock peaking at such a crucial time for Minnesota.
Stramel’s potential also provides the Wild with flexibility. If they hold off on trades, or if they need to part with Yurov for a big acquisition, Stramel’s NHL readiness means he could make an impact next season. His value is likely to remain high through the summer and into the next season.
Should the Wild bring in a top-line center like Robert Thomas, they’d have a formidable lineup with Stramel and Joel Eriksson Ek anchoring the middle-six. This aligns perfectly with the Wild’s vision when they drafted Stramel nearly three years ago.
Ultimately, the Wild are in a favorable position. Whether they capitalize on Stramel’s current value in a trade or keep him as a future cornerstone, it’s a good problem to have during this critical period for the franchise.