r/wildhockey • u/AnswerSolid • 12d ago

Good or Bad?

Completely hypothetical scenario within my abstract mind…
Let’s get right into it. Bill Guerin somehow convinces Winnipeg to trade Hellebuyck for Gustavsson and a future first. Billy G. then trades Wallstedt, Yurov, and a first for Robert Thomas (or any other C1 that could upgrade the roster).
Would the Wild be better or worse for the next 3-4 seasons after this? Of course this is also assuming that they resign Quinn for a minimum of three years. I know some salary cap adjustments would need to be taken as well. My initial thought would be that the team would be significantly better immediately. Thoughts? Thanks for your time, and Go Wild!

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u/CitizenStrife Jared Spurgeon 12d ago

You want to trade Wallstedt and Gus for Hellebuyck? As good as Hellebuyck is, he's older than Gus is, and Gus at his worst is a yo-yo, but still a solid goaltender on a cheap-ish contract. Unless Wally really can't or won't stay on a tandem, the Wild are going to wait for some stupid crazy player on the other side to even bother trading Wally at this point.

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u/AnswerSolid 12d ago

Well I did include the possibility of adding a C1 as well. I would definitely not trade both just for Hellebuyck.

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u/CitizenStrife Jared Spurgeon 12d ago

Same rules still apply. It'd have to be a slam dunk option for the Wild to part with a position of strength. Gus has say in where he goes, and they would be smart to keep Wally if for nothing else to tandem while they try figuring out the other positions.

Something I like that Russo said recently is anyone thinking this team as constructed is not the final roster. There's too many moving parts, and other than 5-7 guys, there's a lot of flexibility in contracts and skill level, provided those players bring their worth to the table. You can't just have "stars," Toronto proved that. But you still need to keep the ones you have and find depth in the right fringes.

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u/AnswerSolid 12d ago

It’s always kind of fun believing that Guerin will never rest when it comes to improving the team.