The Minnesota Wild initially assumed that goaltender Darcy Kuemper would serve as heir apparent to starter Niklas Backstrom when he first moved up through their system.
After a poor showing in the 2014-15 season, though, the team brought goaltender Devan Dubnyk on board from the Arizona Coyotes. His run through the final half of their season pushed the Central Division club into the postseason, then he helped them make it to the second round of the playoffs. It earned him a third place vote for the 2015 Vezina Trophy, a fourth place vote for the Hart Trophy, and a first place vote for the Masterton Trophy.
Now, with Kuemper serving as his backup, it seems other teams are gauging interest.
Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher confirmed on Monday that teams have called regarding a potential trade involving Kuemper. This would move the 26-year-old netminder out of the system, presumably leaving the Wild either needing to sign a new backup or using prospect Steve Michalek as Dubnyk’s second in command.
A number of teams will be trying to move around goaltending talent this summer. The presumed rules for the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft – set to be officially confirmed this coming week – will leave teams only allowed to protect one goaltender. Those with two top talents likely want to move out one of their two starter-calibre players for valuable assets, which would leave a second spot open for Kuemper to fill.
Kuemper isn’t the only player teams are calling about, though.
Fletcher also confirmed that a number of teams have called him about the young defensive corps Minnesota holds the rights to. Teams likely want to gauge his interest in dealing one of Jared Spurgeon, Matt Dumba, or Marco Scandella could be pried away, either for cap implications or due to the limitations on protecting blue line assets in the expansion draft.
If new assistant coach Scott Stevens has his way, none of those defensemen will be on the way out. He would like, suggested Fletcher, to keep them all. That may not be possible, though – and if not, expect to see those deals made sometime this summer.
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