Drew Stafford to the Wild?

One of the rumors to be surfacing today is the that Minnesota Wild might be interested in former UND Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford. Apparently, some of the Sioux hating Gopher fans don't like the idea. One person that might benifit from a change of scenery might be Stafford.

Michael Russo, Russo's Rants --- As I reported in today’s newspaper and on last night’s blog, multiple sources tell me the Wild is very interested in Drew Stafford, who has been playing at a consistently high level for some time for the Sabres. There have been lots of conversations between Fletcher and Sabres GM Tim Murray lately and the big question is whether Murray is indeed willing to trade Stafford, 28, and what the price would be.

He wouldn’t be a rental. He has another year left on his contract at a pretty attractive $4 million (remember, the cap is going up), so this would be more of a “hockey trade” (one of my favorite terms; I’d love to know who coined it).

So it could cost a second-tier prospect, salaried player (Wild would need to trade some cash unless it just puts Backstrom or Harding on LTIR, which allows you to top the cap ceiling by their cap hit if you need the space) and/or a pick.

Stafford is very good friends with Zach Parise from their days at Shattuck and North Dakota, he’s a former teammate of Jason Pominville. (By the way, even though I'm mentioning Stafford on here, I'm not saying it's going to happen. I'm sure Fletcher has many balls in the air and this is just one I've heard about).

BLOG: #mnwild talking to the Buffalo Sabres about Drew Stafford http://t.co/uU1fHguls4
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 5, 2014

Stafford has heard same MIN rumors: "There's chatter about everything. .. It happens. We're in here watching the same thing all of you are."
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 5, 2014

Drew Stafford Smoking Hot Right Now

PLAYER TO WATCH: Drew Stafford has six goals and nine points in his past seven games for the @BuffaloSabres. pic.twitter.com/UwWiIiqLLk
— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2014

There was 23 scouts in the Buffalo Sabres press box for the past two games, preparing for the fire sale that's going to take place in Buffalo. I wonder if Drew Stafford is making the case to be traded? Stafford has scored (10g-14a—24pts) in 51 games this season. Stafford has scored (3g-3a—6pts) in the last five games.

Thomas Vanek and Sabres 'suffering'

Wow! This is an interesting post from Fantasy Sports Portal. I guess there are a few NHL teams that need scoring and goaltending would probably take these high-end players off of their hand for the right price.

What would it take for the Wild to get Vanek?

@gilesferrell #cantbeserious pic.twitter.com/njUiXrbVYg
— Graeme Erik Young (@Guashoe) July 10, 2013

Someone I follow on twitter posted this last night, I think this trade would prove to be too costly for the Minnesota Wild. I don't think the Wild would give up an number one pick and two first round  draft choices/prospects to get Thomas Vanek, who will become a UFA soon.

This removes any doubt; Brown's dirty elbow on Pominville

Still shot of Dustin Brown's elbow that injured Jason Pominville #mnwild #lakings twitter.com/Russostrib/sta…
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 24, 2013

s/t to Michael Russo... In case anyone is confused, this was a text book hit to the head and a violation of rule 48. Jason Pominville's head is targeted by Dustin Brown.

48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted. However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered.

Jason Pominville's scores his first goal from Zach Parise

I am sure that the Buffalo Sabre fans aren't going to be too pleased with this goal but, newly acquired Wild forward Jason Pominville's scores this beautiful goal, his first wearing a uniform for the Minnesota Wild. Chalk up a nice set up from former Fighting Sioux forward Zach Parise. Pominville had a (1g-1a—2pts)tonight against the Bluejackets.