As a Wild fan, I wouldn't make the trade in reverse. Kunin's ceiling, IMO, is as an NHL-average middle 6 forward. His lack of a high hockey IQ will always limit what he can offer a team. He has a very hard, very quick, very inaccurate shot, is an average at best skater, but works hard and is very competitive. Basically, a good 3rd liner or a low-end 2nd liner. He does offer versatility, so that adds to his value, but not enough to get him past being an average NHLer.

I get that Bonino was a bit of a salary dump, but the fact that he will likely be flipped turns this return into an absolute no brainer. I think it’s safe to assume a 2nd or more at the deadline which brings the return to 2 2nds and a 3rd (which was the pick we gave up to get Beckman, who could see time next year) or more for Kunin. I hope he finds his game but I really can’t believe Nashville pulled the trigger on this.

What do you think Khustnutdinov is? Most Wild fans I've talked to expect that he'll become a middle six center IF he even becomes an NHL player at all. If that's the case, we gave up a middle six RW/C right now for a middle sic C/LW in 4-5 years. I don't see how we so decisively won this trade as many of you think.

Yeah well as a Minnesota fan, I don't. Sorry not sorry, no take backs

I don't necessarily disagree with that viewpoint, except that most prospect analyst's feel and think Khusnutdinov has the potential to be a quality top six center. If as you said, he sticks and makes it to the NHL.

It's really too early yet anyway for us to adequately say one way or the other for sure what he'll become, and I'll personally hold off judgment until his two year KHL/MHL contract is finished up before I re-evaluate what that is. I will say however, I have really liked what I've seen from the kid so far and have high hopes for him.

As far the rest of the trade goes. If Kunin hits his potential... he's literally Bonino. Poile literally traded the solid, reliable, better Bonino version now for the shiney and freshly new, off the show floor even, next years model.

That's not a loss if you ask me. I can understand why he did it if nothing else. Guerin did well to get Poile to overpay for Kunin though.

Khustnutdinov Can do 2 things Kunin can't: skate very, very fast and process the game at a very quick rate. I'll take my chances with with a player who has those 2 skills any day over a player who doesn't!