The Wild Should Add Some Spice By Signing Matt Duchen

With limited roster maneuverability and still hampered by an almost $15 million dead cap hit, the Minnesota Wild will have difficulty adding secondary scoring to next year’s team. They possess one of the league’s youngest, most dynamic cores led by the electrifying Kirill Kaprizov, a stifling defense anchored by Brock Faber — two Calder trophy finalists — and a pipeline of exciting prospects who will aggressively be making a push for roster spots next season.

However, one key ingredient remains missing: a proven, high-caliber scorer to bolster their secondary scoring and push them toward being legitimate contenders. Enter Matt Duchene, the veteran unrestricted free agent currently plying his trade for the Dallas Stars. Duchene could be a perfect fit for the Wild, propelling them toward a period of sustained success.

While the Wild’s young core is brimming with talent, they lack experience navigating the grueling playoffs and high-pressure situations. Duchene is a seasoned veteran with over 800 NHL games under his belt and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals two years in a row. He will bring invaluable experience to a locker room that hasn’t gotten out of the first round since Two and a Half Men was still on the air.

Duchene can mentor and guide the young players, fostering a winning mentality within the locker room. Whether on the same line or not, imagine someone as tested as Duchene sharing his playoff experience with Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi, helping them elevate their game to new heights in the postseason.

The Wild’s reliance on Kaprizov’s offensive brilliance is a double-edged sword. Opposing teams can often focus their defensive efforts on shutting him down, leaving the rest of the offense stagnant. Duchene is a former No. 3 overall draft pick and a three-time 30-goal scorer (with a 43-goal season under John Hynes in Nashville, by the way).

By adding Duchene, Minnesota would divide opponents’ attention, forcing them to choose who to focus on in their game plan. A line featuring Duchene and Rossi or possibly Riley Heidt flanked by a talented winger like Boldy could become a nightmare for opposing defenses, spreading the scoring load and creating more offensive opportunities.

Duchene possesses a versatile skill set and is comfortable playing center and wing. Duchene was a beast along the walls in the Stars series against the Edmonton Oilers. He can drive the play, create space, and find open teammates in pressure situations.