LOTS of players on the Minnesota Wild could be considered 'darkhorse' trade bait.
Why? Because the Minnesota front office has repeatedly stated they just want to "tweak" the rosters and continue to go for the playoffs year in, year out.
However, after what the Wild have been doing over the last few weeks, the new edict coming down from ownership that the GM has free reign to do what they feel will make the team better in the long run, AND the key injuries to the team, I think it has become pretty apparent to most people that this current Wild team, as constructed, is just not championship viable any longer.
I think a full rebuild is in order in Minnesota (won't be easy due to some contracts) and despite the team having some still in their prime players struggling, with others performing only about average, I think some of those same players could be traded off, the Wild can get draft picks or some minor leaguers with promise, and go from there.
Jason Zucker, Mikael Granlund, and Jared Spurgeon head up the group of Wild players I think can really flourish with a change of scenery and coaching philosophy.
Certainly there are others, but I think those three aren't talked about as much as trade bait...but COULD possibly be dealt in favor of going into the next phase with the team.
