As the NHL pauses for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, trade talks haven’t exactly taken a vacation. The March 6 deadline is looming, and front offices across the league are using this Olympic break to position themselves for the stretch run.
One name that’s quickly climbing the rumor mill? Vincent Trocheck.
Fresh off the blockbuster deal that sent Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers to the Los Angeles Kings, all eyes are now on Trocheck - a veteran center who could be the next big piece to move out of Manhattan. And according to multiple reports, the Minnesota Wild are circling.
Minnesota’s Interest is Real - and Makes Sense
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun noted earlier this week that Trocheck is generating “a lot of interest,” specifically pointing to the Wild as a team to watch. Minnesota’s not just window-shopping either.
They’ve reportedly had their eyes on Trocheck for a while and are also kicking tires on other centers like Ryan O’Reilly and Charlie Coyle. But Trocheck may be the most complete fit for what GM Bill Guerin is trying to build.
Let’s break it down: Trocheck is 32, under contract through the 2028-29 season at a manageable $5.625 million cap hit, and he’s still producing at a high level - 12 goals and 36 points in 43 games. That’s not just solid, that’s top-six center production. Add in the fact that he wins over 55% of his faceoffs and plays a responsible two-way game that tends to shine in the postseason, and you’ve got a player who checks just about every box for a playoff-bound team looking to solidify its spine down the middle.
What Would It Cost?
The Rangers aren’t in any rush to give Trocheck away. After shipping out Panarin, GM Chris Drury is clearly pivoting toward a younger core and long-term flexibility. That means the asking price for Trocheck is steep - think a first-round pick and a premium prospect.
Minnesota has the assets to make it happen. Names like Charlie Stramel and Danila Yurov have surfaced in trade chatter, and while no deal is imminent, the framework for a serious offer is there. The Wild have reportedly “really liked” Trocheck for some time, and if they’re serious about making a deep playoff run, this is the kind of move that can help get them there.
Why the Wild Need This Move
Minnesota’s situation is clear: they’re a playoff team, but in a Western Conference that features heavyweights like Dallas and Colorado, they need more firepower - especially down the middle. Trading away Marco Rossi in the Quinn Hughes deal left them a bit thin at center, and while their top-end talent is strong (hello, Kirill Kaprizov), there’s a need for more balance and veteran presence.
Trocheck brings both. He’s gritty, experienced, and battle-tested.
He doesn’t just fill a hole - he elevates the lineup. And with term left on his deal, he’s not just a rental.
That’s key for a team like Minnesota, which isn’t just trying to make noise this year, but build something sustainable.
Looking Ahead
The trade freeze lifts later this month, and with the Olympic break giving GMs extra time to work the phones, this is a storyline that’s only going to heat up. The Rangers are clearly open for business, and the Wild are clearly in buying mode. If the price is right, Vincent Trocheck might be the next domino to fall - and he could be exactly what Minnesota needs to take that next step.