The Minnesota Wild left the NHL Draft still hunting for help down the middle, but the real sting for them could come from a division rival that’s aiming even higher this offseason.
Dallas isn’t just circling the same kind of big-name talent Minnesota wants. The Stars are also being linked to Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski, and the early reports suggest they mean business. If that pursuit turns into something more, it would be a major swing for a team already trying to stay near the top of the Central Division.
Werenski’s situation in Columbus is unsettled. The Blue Jackets and the defenseman are expected to talk after the draft, and with two years left before he is due for a new contract, there is at least a chance he could ask for a trade. If that happens, the Stars are expected to be right in the mix.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Dallas was among the teams with early interest in Werenski, describing that interest as “keen.” TSN’s Darren Dreger added that while Werenski would prefer an Eastern Conference destination, he could be persuaded to head West. Dreger also said the Stars are “very interested” and would even be willing to part with top defenseman Thomas Harley to land him.
That kind of aggressive pursuit says plenty about Dallas’ mindset. The Stars are not simply trying to patch one issue with Jason Robertson’s contract situation. They are chasing a major addition, and Werenski fits that bill.
For Minnesota, that creates another layer of frustration. The Wild still need a top-line center, and Dylan Larkin remains the name they’ve been tied to most heavily. But Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman said he will not trade Larkin unless he gets a good offer, which leaves Minnesota waiting for a breakthrough that may not come quickly.
Yzerman’s stance makes it possible that the Larkin situation drags on well into the regular season. That leaves the Wild in a tough spot, still searching for an answer while a division rival tries to land one of the biggest names available.
And that’s the nightmare scenario for Minnesota: Dallas gets better, and the Wild are still looking for a center. If Werenski ends up in a Stars uniform while the Wild are still trying to solve their own offseason problem, the road through the Central only gets harder.
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Wild Fans Will Hate What Reportedly Killed This Center Pursuit
Minnesotas interest in Dylan Larkin apparently went beyond casual trade chatter, with president Bill Guerin making regular contact with Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman as the Wild explored whether there was any real path to landing the Red Wings captain. The pursuit had the feel of a classic front-office swing for a proven center, the kind of move that can reshape a teams middle-six and change the look of a roster heading into free agency.
What ultimately stalled things was the price Detroit was pushing, and Minnesota was not willing to go there. With the opening of free agency, the Wild have moved on from the idea of prying Larkin loose, leaving Guerin to pivot elsewhere while the fan base is left to wonder how close the team really came to making a major splash at center. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Quietly Make A Veteran Depth Decision Before Free Agency
The Wild are lining up a pair of familiar veteran pieces before free agency opens, a move that would keep some stability on a roster that values experience as much as upside. Nick Foligno, who arrived at the trade deadline, and Zach Bogosian, brought in later as a depth addition on the blue line, both gave Minnesota the kind of low-drama, situational help that can matter over the long haul more than it shows up in the box score.
Michael Russo of The Athletic reports the expectation is that each player returns on a one-year deal, giving the Wild another season of seasoned presence without a bigger summer commitment. For Foligno, it also sets up a chance to spend a full year in Minnesota alongside his younger brother Marcus, while Bogosian would remain part of the right-side defensive mix and available when injuries or lineup shuffles inevitably hit. [Read more 🡒]