The Athletic put out an article today on the one trade each franchise would most love to UNDO if they could. This is what Russo came up with for the Wild:
Brent Burns and 2012 second-round pick for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and 2011 first-round pick (2011)
"There are so many Wild trades to choose from, with a particular runner-up being the deal to send Alex Tuch to Vegas to “protect” unprotected players in the Golden Knights’ expansion draft. In 2011, Burns was a budding star coming up on a payday, and it was the same summer the Wild planned on twin $98 million contracts for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Burns would become a Norris Trophy winner, a star offensive defenseman and a future Hall of Famer. Had Zack Phillips, whom the Wild took with the pick they got in the deal, amounted to anything, this trade would be a little more digestible. — Michael Russo"
As a VGK fan, I sure do appreciate the Wild asking Vegas to take Erik Haula, and giving Vegas Alex Tuch and a conditional 3rd round pick in return for that selection. Haula was one of the better players helping Vegas to the SC Final in their inaugural season and Tuch became a VGK favorite before sending him to Buffalo in order to acquire Jack Eichel.
Tuch should cash in this coming offseason, regardless of where he signs. He hasn't been a superstar with Buffalo, but he's a pretty damn good player. As a western NY native and an important player in the locker room, combined with some desperation, I can see Buffalo overpaying Tuch and probably by a lot. Bad franchises make bad moves.
