The Minnesota Wild got off to one of the worst starts in the NHL this season, but through 55 games they find themselves just five points back of a wild card spot in the West.
On Monday night, Wild general manager Bill Guerin shook things up by sending Jason Zucker to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Alex Galchenyuk, Calen Addison and a 2020 condition first round draft pick.
Zucker has been one of the Wild’s top goal scorers over the past few years, totaling 20 or more goals in four of his last five seasons including 33 goals in 2017-18, but Guerin felt like his team really needed a change.
On Tuesday, the former player was asked about the deal and appeared to call out Zucker and anyone else who doesn’t want to give it all their efforts moving forward.
“I can promise you this: If there is quit, there will be more trades,” Guerin said. “So I wholeheartedly expect this team to compete for a playoff spot. We’re right there, and if there’s any signs of anybody taking their foot off the gas, that will be an indication.”
Guerin didn’t call out Zucker by name, by the fact that he said; “if there is quit, there will be more trades” almost makes it seem like he felt Zucker had given up and it was time for a change.
“They've got to be professionals. They have to show up and play tonight,” Guerin said. “This is part of the business.”​
Now we sit back and wait to see what happens leading up to the trade deadline.
