The Minnesota Wild have made yet another trade ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline on Friday.
The news comes in the midst of their pursuit of Rangers center Vincent Trocheck. While their chances on Trocheck are dwindling, they are still making moves to beef up their depth. A few nights ago, they acquired Predators forward Michael McCarron.
Now, they’ve acquired a defenseman with Stanley Cup experience from the Florida Panthers.
Minnesota Wild Acquire Jeff Petry From Florida Panthers
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 02: Jeff Petry #2 of the Florida Panthers in action during the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot park on January 02, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic reported the news of the trade.
“The respected veteran defenseman was traded to the Wild on Thursday for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in June. The pick becomes a 2026 fifth-round pick if the Wild win two playoff rounds and Petry plays in 50 percent or more of their playoff games during those first two rounds.
Per the report, Petry is well aware that he won’t be a key part of the rotation in Minnesota.
“Petry, 38, gives the Wild right-shot depth and, per team sources, understands he’s coming to Minnesota to be an extra behind Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon and Zach Bogosian.
Petry, who has a big shot, is more of a defensive puck mover at this stage in his career, but the Wild like his experience and the fact that he shoots right.”
The defenseman will be available if needed for Minnesota’s game on Friday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. Russo and Smith also pointed out the fact that the acquisition of Petry may make David Jiricek or David Spacek expendable ahead of the deadline.
Minnesota May Not Be Able To Pay Trocheck Price
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 02: Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers in action against the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden on December 02, 2025 in New York City. The Rangers won 3-2. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Per Russo and Smith, the Minnesota Wild are “fading out” of the sweepstakes for Trocheck.
“The Wild’s hopes of getting Vincent Trocheck are fading.
The price for the New York Rangers center appears to be too rich at this point. It may just be that they don’t have the assets to get it done for a 32-year-old multi-faceted player with three years left on a reasonable $5.625 million average-annual-value contract.”
Though a concerning update, the duo did share some other potential options ahead of the deadline at center.
“The Wild have shown interest in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Charlie Coyle, though at this stage in his career, he is not a prototypical top-six center. And as of now, Columbus has indicated to teams it’s not moving him.
Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly is another center the Wild would have interest in. It remains to be determined if he wants to move, though. He doesn’t have no-trade protection but is being treated as such by Predators management, so his decision likely depends on the team pursuing him.”
It’s seeming likely that the Minnesota Wild will hold out with the roster that they have. They aren’t looking to dig too much deeper in their bag of prospects. They still have flexibility to make a big move at the position this offseason, though their Stanley Cup chances this season would’ve improved greatly with a major center acquisition.
It’s not over until it’s over, and the trade window will be closed on Friday at 3 P.M. EST.
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