Analyst Buys Minnesota Wild Swinging for Auston Matthews or Brady Tkachuk

Neither Auston Matthews nor Brady Tkachuk has been officially said to be available, but that hasn’t—and won’t—stop the hockey world from wondering about both players finding new homes, particularly on an American team, in the somewhat near future.

It’s been well documented that Matthews will have to make some decisions about his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer, and depending on how this season ends for Tkachuk, he could soon be faced with similar decisions regarding his future with the Ottawa Senators.

As a result, teams around the league are keeping a close eye on both superstars, and one team that has already been reported to be doing so is the Minnesota Wild, whom analyst Lyle Richardson believes will look to swing another blockbuster trade sooner rather than later.

Richardson wrote:

“Russo wondered if Guerin might set his sights on Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews or Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. Both forwards played for Guerin on Team USA’s Olympic gold-medal squad in February.

BS Meter: Not BS

It remains to be seen if Matthews or Tkachuk would be available, given their full no-movement clauses in their contracts. Nevertheless, Guerin surprised NHL fans by acquiring Hughes, and he has the assets and cap space to swing another major move to boost his team’s Stanley Cup chances,”

The 28-year-old Matthews is in year two of his four-year, $53 million contract signed with the Maple Leafs in 2023, while Tkachuk, 26, is in year five of his seven-year, $57,564,958 contract signed with the Senators back in 2021. Both are eligible for extensions with their respective teams come July 1, 2027.