NHL Rumors: Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Seattle Kraken

Welcome to the Sunday edition of Full Press Hockey‘s NHL Rumors. The trade deadline is less than four weeks away, but that does not mean the rumors are going away. Therefore we will be upping our coverage from two days a week to four days a week. The February 27th edition of NHL Rumors will cover the Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, and Seattle Kraken.

Minnesota Wild – Kevin Fiala

Rumor: Per – Shayna Goldman and Michael Russo – theathletic.com. Can the Wild extend Kevin Fiala? Will it cost them Matt Dumba?

The Minnesota Wild are will be looking at a reduced salary cap ceiling next season of $12.74 million, and then $14.7 million the following two years due to buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter in the offseason. The Ottawa Senators have expressed interest in Fiala since 2019. His new contract will more than likely be in the $6 million to $7 million range. For that to work, the Wild will need to shed some cap space.

Does that mean they may be forced to move popular Matt Dumba? Dumba has a $6 million deal with a year left. Or, even Cam Talbot who has one year remaining on a $3.67 million contract. It seems those huge long-term contracts for Parise and Suter are coming back to haunt the Wild. Fiala is playing well with 17 goals, 26 assists in 49 games. He has added three goals, three assists in his last five games. Whether or not that will make a difference as to his future in Minnesota remains to be seen. The Wild have seemed to have painted themselves into the ugly salary cap corner.

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Arizona Coyotes – Potential Trade Chips

Rumor: Per – Craig Morgan – gophnx.com. Craig Morgan recently listed which Arizona Coyotes players he considers potential trade chips. Topping the list is Jakob Chychrun, who’s been the subject of trade chatter for two months.

With Chychrun under contract 2024-25 at an affordable price of $4.6 million, GM Bill Armstrong does not need to trade him, but he is listening to offers. None yet have materialized which will improve the Coyotes roster enough to swing a trade.

Another Coyote involved in NHL rumors is Phil Kessel. A second-round pick offer hasn’t happened, so Armstrong may have to accept a third-round choice instead. It is a bit strange that a club needing additional scoring hasn’t made an offer. It may need to include retention of salary, and that seems fair.

Others on the long list of potential trade chips include center Johan Larsson (who may be back from an injury by the trade deadline), forwards Jay Beagle, Christian Fischer, and D-man Anton Stralman. It seems the “yard sale” light is on in Arizona.

Seattle Kraken – Jared McCann, Calle Jarnkrok

Rumor: Per – Elliotte Friedman – sportsnet.ca. Friedman wonders what will happen to centers Jared McCann and Calle Jarnkrok going forward.

McCann has participated in 48 games this season with 21 goals, 12 assists and leads the Seattle Kraken in scoring. He will be a restricted free agent after this season. He has a $2.94 million contract. Jarnkrok has played 42 games with 10 goals, 12 assists to his credit. He carries a $2 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent at the season’s end.

Friedman mentioned that Jarnkrok could be a good fit for the Washington Capitals who are looking to add a forward. It seems the Kraken will be re-evaluating their roster as this initial season hasn’t gone too well. The expansion team sits last in the Pacific Division and 30th overall in the NHL standings.

It may be worth their while to see what these two centers could bring them in a trade. After all, centers are always at a premium in the league, and McCann especially should bring a valuable return. Year-Two of the Kraken should be an improvement.