You don't move a 24 y/o right shot D who consistently wins his minutes for a decade older oft-injured rental

You should probably wait for the Wild fans' input, but I don't see Minnesota giving you Jake Middleton for that package. The pick might not be in the top 80, Abruzzese hasn't proven that he's an NHLer yet and Lagesson is barely one.

I almost see Jake M as a poor man's Jake M. For Jake M we paid LA Kings a low 1st Pick for that June 2019 (ended up being 22nd overall), an 22 year old AHL "prospect" LW and an overager OHL defense man.
Jake Muzzin was a 30 year old 6'3" 219 lbs LHD that hit a lot and had half decent offensive flair. He couldn't fight when things got rough though.

I could see Minnesota wanting a high 2nd (which we don't have) or a low 1st and an AHL/Major Junior (not star - Abruzzese? McMann? Steeves?) prospect for almost 28 year old (Jan 2, 1996) 6'3" 219 lbs LHD Middleton who, although he doesn't hit as much as Muzzin did, plays a rugged game and is developing his offensive instincts (31ga 5go 7a 12pts 46hits 69blocks). Unlike like Muzzin, Middleton can fight really well when the going gets rough.

That's correct. This package is a large bunch of not much at all. Definitely no incentive here to trade Middleton.

The bottom 5 guys in the leaf line up are the most valuable in the whole league

The thing about Middleton is you have to look at him not for the player he is, but what he is to the Wild. They absolutely can't trade him for things that don't actually improve their roster immediately. It would take a stupid overpayment to get them to say yes just because they actually need Middleton now. There's also no hurry to trade him because he's under contract next year too, so yeah.. what's the incentive to accept "fair" value on a player they need and have for another season? They could probably get a 2nd for him next year's TDL if he continues playing well enough.

Ain't that the truth!

Calgary declines. Lilly is nothing special, he'd be an acceptable add to the 2024 1st this offer needs to start with... Unless Toronto is willing to make it Knies or Minten instead of a 1st.

I see nothing special in Bobby McMann and Ryan Reaves. I guess Gregor and Kampf are cool but..