Minnesota Wild need some mid-six scoring help
Anthony DiMarco of Daily Faceoff: Sources say the Minnesota Wild are looking for a middle-six forward and have been searching for a center since last season. They have struggled to score, and injuries to Nico Sturm and Mats Zuccarello have impacted their depth.
They have some money to spend this offseason, but centers like Sam Bennett and Brock Nelson re-signed with their teams. The Wild wanted to compete with tight end Brock Boeser, but he also re-signed, a source said.
There were rumors during the offseason that the Wild were looking to trade center Marco Rossi, but the price was indeed high. One general manager said last year that general manager Bill Green was looking for two first-round picks. Rossi is currently their first center and ranks first in points per game. A team source said if Rossi remains under center with the Wild, they could look to wingers to help the offense.
NHL Rumors: Teams looking for center, but no one wants to trade
The names of Nazem Kadri and Pavel Zacha have surfaced in the rumors. Both would be a good fit for Minnesota. Another Bruin from Minnesota, Casey Mittelstadt, could be an option. By 2027, Mittelstadt’s cap hit will be $5.75 million.
Zayne Parekh likely not to return to junior team
sports network: Elliot Friedman on Calgary Flames rookie guard Zayn Parekh. He needs to play, but likely won’t return to Junior.
** Transcribed by NHLRumors.com
“Yeah, so we played the Flames earlier and Zayn Palick didn’t play. He’s battling some injuries. He played nine games and a lot of people who follow hockey know that if you play ten games, you burn a year of your entry-level contract. I don’t think the Flames are worried about that at all.
Now, Eric Francis had a really good story today about are the Flames really going to send him back to Junior? I think Eric wrote that because there’s always a 1% chance and you always have to protect yourself.
I’ve heard there’s no chance the Flames are going to send him back to Junior this year, and I don’t think that’s changed at all. But I do think they realize he can’t just sit there and not play.
NHL Rumors: St. Louis Blues and Retaining Their Own Free Agents
So, they have to do that, either by doing a period of practice with the American Hockey League before he plays at the World Juniors, or by getting him back in the lineup when the season starts to go against them. But I don’t see any chance of him returning to Junior.
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