New York Rangers centerman Vincent Trocheck has been linked to the Minnesota Wild like mad in recent weeks.
The Rangers are clearly in a bit of a rebuild, and the Wild are in a cup window. One of the main things holding Minnesota back right now is their lack of true depth on the dot. Joel Eriksson Ek is a fine center, of course. Danila Yurov shows plenty of promise, but will likely get worked in the playoffs with his age and inexpreience.
The Wild obviously traded away Marco Rossi in the blockbuster Quinn Hughes trade. Nico Sturm is good for faceoff wins, but he’s a bottom-six guy that won’t really produce much on the scoresheet.
Thus, you can see how Trocheck and the Wild are naturally linked. The fact that Trocheck seemed pretty comfortable around Wild players during the Olympics adds fuel to the fire. However, it may not be that simple.
Minnesota Wild Aren’t Out of Trocheck Sweepstakes, but Get Concerning Update
GettyMILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Vincent Trocheck #16 of Team United States controls the puck in the first period during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Sportsnet’s Elliot Friedman recently weighed in on the Trocheck trade rumors. It wasn’t the most inspiring of updates that the Minnesota Wild could’ve gotten.
“I think there’s a couple of far west teams that have gotten in on him, and I’ve been told that it won’t be happening… His preference is east, and a couple of west teams have been told he’s not going out there.”
If the man doesn’t want to go west, he doesn’t want to go west. Thankfully, there may be a light at the end of this tunnel for Bill Guerin and the Wild.
Friedman also brought up the fact that “everyone talks about Minnesota”. Trocheck has arguably been brought up the most in trade conversations when they involve the Wild. “They’re not that far west”, added Friedman. “So, maybe..”
Minnesota’s geographical location may be aiding in this deal for Trocheck. The man is from the great city of Pittsburgh, so it makes sense why he’d want to stay relatively close to home. Unfortunately for the Wild, the Hurricanes are on the east coast, and could use some center help as well.
A Potential Trade Package for Vincent Trocheck
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 02: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers hits Niko Mikkola #77 of the Florida Panthers during the first period in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot park on January 02, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Athletic recently shared a mock-trade of what a deal for Trocheck could look like from the Wild’s end.
It went as follows:
- Rangers receive: MIN 2027 1st Round Pick, center prospect Charlie Stramel, and defenseman prospect Carson Lambos
- Wild receive: C Vincent Trocheck
It doesn’t seem like a lot to give up, but Charlie Stramel makes this deal interesting. Lambos is obviously a promising player, but Stramel is showing a lot of promise for a team that needs a future at center.
This may be why the Wild would rather choose to include goalie Jesper Wallstedt in a trade, who is the clear second option behind starter Filip Gustavsson.
Minnesota obviously doesn’t want to trade any of these guys, but you can be confident in saying they want to win a cup. How far will they push the envelope?
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