By ETT 
The Minnesota Wild have been busy making headlines lately. From blockbuster trades to injury updates, there’s plenty to discuss in the world of Wild hockey.
In a stunning move, the Wild have traded star winger Patrik Laine to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Laine, a highly-skilled scorer, had been struggling with consistency in Minnesota. The Wild received a package of prospects and draft picks in the deal, including center Kent Johnson and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.
The trade has raised eyebrows around the league, with some experts questioning the Wild’s decision to move on from Laine. However, Wild general manager Bill Guerin defended the move, stating that it was necessary to bring in a more defensively responsible player in Johnson.
The Wild have signed defenseman Matt Kampfer to a two-year contract extension. Kampfer has been a valuable depth piece for Minnesota, providing steady defense and physicality. The extension ensures that he will remain with the team through the 2023-24 season.
In addition to the Laine trade and Kampfer signing, several other rumors have been swirling around the Wild.
- The Wild are reportedly interested in acquiring defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes.
- Forward Marcus Foligno may be on the trade block due to salary cap concerns.
- The Wild are expected to re-sign restricted free agent forward Kirill Kaprizov to a long-term contract.
The Minnesota Wild have a busy offseason ahead of them. The Laine trade and Kampfer signing are significant moves that could have a major impact on the team’s success in the coming seasons. Other rumors circulating around the Wild suggest that more changes may be on the horizon.
As the offseason unfolds, Wild fans will be closely monitoring the team’s moves and anxiously awaiting the start of the 2023-24 season.