Minnesota Wild @ Colorado Avalanche, Tuesday 2-2-21, 7:30pm, Pepsi Center

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

1 hour ago, Alexandron said:

Total 9 Wild players now are on Covid protocol. Wish them all fast recovery.  Sadly, games are postponed at least for a week more. 

 

The other news. I found an interesting article about forward Derek Stepan, who would like to come home to Minnesota. He is about 40-50 points per season producer player:

 

https://www.hockeywilderness.com/2021/2/8/22272163/derek-stepan-wants-to-come-home-minnesota-wild-ottawa-senators-trade-rumors-nhl

 

 

 

 

 

I've always liked Derek Stepan as a fantastic playmaker, however, the last TWO seasons, he's been more of a 30pt average player, plus he has missed time due to some ailment or the other, and his face off prowess is just "ok", nothing that should make Minnesota want to give up a whole lot to get him.

He carries a 6.5M cap hit as well....although, like Bjugstad and a few others on the team, it is only for this year before he becomes a UFA.
So in essence, Stepan would be another 'reclamation project', which, depending on how you look at Minnesota's campaign this year, could be a "ehhh, ok, we'll take a chance"... or "Nah...too expensive, his last two years don't inspire confidence, I'd rather use the roster spot for a younger, longer term player".

If Stepan would at least be a big time shooter, a shot blocker, or a hitter, then even without lots of offense, maybe he'd be worth having on the roster, but he honestly doesn't do much of that either.
He is either contributing on offense, mostly as a distributor, or controlling faceoffs..... neither of which he has done particularly well recently, though to be fair, in his limited time this season so far, he at least has been at 50%.
 

[lynxrattle]

He would have to be ready to take a major pay cut.