The Wild operate with a higher degree of difficulty than 31 teams in the NHL, and trading their first-round pick for David Jiricek gives them less draft capital to offer other teams. That's all understandable. Nyquist was available, he could fit into the Wild's cap picture, and there was familiarity. It's not hard to see why the trade got made.

Heading into the March 7 NHL trade deadline, The Athletic's Michael Russo and Joe Smith will have updates on all of the Wild rumblings.

The Minnesota Wild have made their first deal of the 2025 NHL trade deadline, dealing away a future draft pick to Nashville for Gustav Nyquist.