Quoting: wabit
You have $12m tied up in bottom-6 centers (Rask, Chucky, Bjustad, Strum) and none of them are a solution to the top-6C need the Wild have. Taking a gamble is fine, but just take one of Bjustad/Chucky, not both of them. I don't mind the Pit trade, it's a garbage in / garbage out deal.
The best trade chip (Dumba) MN has was just used on a wing position that MN is already stacked for. The RHS is a need, but adding more wings just isn't needed.
I want 4 years of Jones less than I want 4 years of Zucc (and I can't stand his contract). Why does Zucc waive his NTC to go to SJS? He chased the money with his deal, why would he take a paycut (CA taxes are worse than MN)?
I should start by saying I don't believe this team to be anything but a bubble team.
I don't really consider it taking a gamble on Bjugstad or Galchenyuk. They are both place holders, with no term, both should be motivated to play for their next payday. With Bjugstad injury history, Sturm being unproven and Staal and Parise being 36 next year. I think Galchenyuk will get his playing time and if protected and allowed to build his confidence he may even be a tradeable asset at the deadline mostly to aquire prospects and or draft picks.
Dumba for Boeser to me makes sense as we have ready, albeit not as good as Dumba, RHD in the AHL and when considering we have to pay Brodin soon, it makes sense. I also don't have a lot of confidence that a top 6 center is going to become available. I do think being on a line with Fiala and Boeser will allow Staal to remain as a 1c for the remainder of his contract. I'm hoping Khovanov or a first round center will be ready to play the following year. If not Wild should have the cap space needed to get one if one becomes available in FA.
Not sure how to convince Zuccarello to except the trade, but Minnesota, though not taxed as high as California, is a pretty tax heavy state. Perhaps he looks at the wings and decides he may not have a position here long. Jones I expect a bounce back from he is only 30 so he really shouldn't have hit steep decline yet, he has played more games than any goalie the last 4 years I believe, so maybe rest and a platoon situation helps him out. Wild are a better defensive team than the Sharks so that at minimum should help.