3 Wild trade targets after Golden Knights series loss

The Minnesota Wild were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Minnesota put in a respectable effort despite heading into the series as the underdog. And this certainly gives them confidence going forward. For now, though, the Wild turn to the offseason and the potential trades and signings inherent with the NHL summer.

Minnesota will operate under different circumstances, however. The Wild had nearly $15 million in dead cap space on the books over the last few seasons. But this money will not be a hindrance this summer. This dead cap space comes off the books on July 1 when the NHL’s new league year begins.

The Wild have a chance to significantly improve its roster. This could certainly take shape in NHL Free Agency. However, massive free agent contracts are what caused Minnesota to eat outlandish dead cap space in the first place. There is always the trade market, though, so let’s take a look at three trade targets for the Wild after their loss to the Golden Knights.

Sabres’ Alex Tuch could return to Wild

In 2014, the Wild made Alex Tuch the 18th overall pick in the NHL Draft. At the time, the American winger seemed destined to be a major part of Minnesota’s future. However, he only played six games for the team before being traded to the Golden Knights in 2017.

Tuch emerged as a promising middle-six scorer over the course of four years with Vegas. He helped the team make the 2018 Stanley Cup Final in their first season, as well. He scored six goals and 10 points in 20 playoff games that year.

However, the Golden Knights had their eyes on a larger prize. And as a result, they traded him to the Buffalo Sabres as part of a package for Jack Eichel. In Buffalo, Tuch has become an even more effective player, establishing himself as a top-six offensive option.

The Wild could certainly use more offensive punch in their top-six. They generally need as many top-six options as they can get, to be fair. Minnesota could bring Tuch back to the State of Hockey and pair him with their Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy at the top of the lineup.

Devils’ Dawson Mercer is an interesting fit