Minnesota Wild Continue Trade Activity Amid Strategic Moves The Minnesota Wild have remained active in the trade market, continuing a series of transactions that have drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts. Following a recent deal to acquire forward Nick Foligno from the Chicago Blackhawks for future considerations, general manager Bill Guerin has now sent young defenseman Vinnie Hinostroza to the Florida Panthers for similar terms. The move has sparked debate, with many questioning the value of trading Hinostroza for minimal assets, but the team’s focus on long-term flexibility appears to be the driving factor. Hinostroza, who joined the Wild as a free agent in 2020, has struggled to establish himself in Minnesota. Over two seasons with the team, he has appeared in 72 games, recording 8 goals and 10 assists. His two-year contract, which carries a cap hit of $775,000, will make him an unrestricted free agent this summer. The trade marks one of several moves by the Wild this offseason, as they seek to reshape their roster while managing salary cap constraints. The Wild’s trade activity has been consistent, with multiple deals executed in recent weeks. On Friday, they sent young defenseman David Jiricek to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for winger Bobby Brink, completing a one-for-one swap. Earlier in the week, the team acquired veteran blue liner Jeff Petry from the Florida Panthers in return for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026. Additionally, they traded a 2028 second-round pick to the Nashville Predators for fourth-line center Michael McCarron. The Wild’s aggressive approach has also included a high-profile acquisition earlier this season, when they acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes in a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks in December.#minnesota_wild #bill_guerin #vinnie_hinostroza #nick_foligno #florida_panters
Minnesota Wild Trades Forward Vinnie Hinostroza to the Florida Panthers Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin announced on Thursday that the team has traded forward Vinnie Hinostroza to the Florida Panthers in exchange for future considerations. The deal marks the latest move in the team’s roster adjustments ahead of the 2025 season. Hinostroza, 31, played in 48 games for the Wild this season, recording 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) and 46 shots on goal. He contributed eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) in 25 games during the 2024-25 season after being acquired off waivers from the Nashville Predators on February 5, 2025. Over his 11-year NHL career, Hinostroza has accumulated 171 points (62 goals, 109 assists) in 460 games. His NHL tenure includes stints with the Chicago Blackhawks (2015-17, 2021), Arizona Coyotes (2018-20), Florida Panthers (2020-21), Buffalo Sabres (2021-23), Pittsburgh Penguins (2023-24), Nashville Predators (2024-25), and the Minnesota Wild (2024-26). The trade comes as the Wild prepare for their next game against the Vegas Golden Knights, set for tonight at 9 p.m. CT on FanDuel Sports Network and KFAN FM 100.3. The team also released details about single-game ticket sales, noting that tickets are available through wild.com/tickets, ticketmaster.com, and the Grand Casino Arena Box Office. Flex, 11-game, half-season, and full-season memberships are also on offer. For group reservations or suite rentals, the Wild provided specific contact information and links. Additional updates from the team include announcements about acquiring other players, such as Nick Foligno from the Chicago Blackhawks and Bobby Brink from the Philadelphia Flyers.#minnesota_wild #bill_guerin #vinnie_hinostroza #florida_panthers #nashville_predators
Oilers Acquire Defenceman Connor Murphy from Blackhawks The Edmonton Oilers have bolstered their defensive corps ahead of the NHL trade deadline, securing the services of veteran defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks in a deal finalized just 93 hours before the deadline. The trade, which involves a 2028 second-round draft pick, sees Murphy join the Oilers after spending the past seven seasons with the Blackhawks. Chicago retains half of Murphy’s $4.4 million salary, reflecting the team’s commitment to maintaining financial flexibility as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. Murphy, 33, is expected to contribute immediately as a reliable third-pair defender for Edmonton. His ability to log 16 1/2 minutes of ice time per game this season, along with his career-high 87 blocked shots for Chicago, positions him as a key asset for a team struggling to limit goals. The Oilers, ranked 26th in the league in goals against, have faced mounting pressure in recent weeks, suffering two consecutive losses to Pacific Division rivals Anaheim and San Jose. These setbacks, attributed to defensive lapses, have threatened Edmonton’s playoff positioning and underscored the urgency of strengthening their blue line. The acquisition of Murphy marks another step in a broader effort to rebuild the Oilers’ defense, a priority for general manager Stan Bowman. Bowman, who previously oversaw Murphy’s acquisition from Arizona in 2017 and later negotiated his $17.6 million, four-year contract, has been actively reshaping the roster. His recent moves include a high-profile goaltending swap with Pittsburgh, where he sent Stuart Skinner to the Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry and a 2029 second-round pick. Jarry’s struggles with the Oilers, including a .#bill_guerin #connor_murphy #chicago_blackhawks #edmonton_oilers #stan_bowman
