Wild acquires Nick Bonino in yet another trade under Guerin!

The Minnesota Wild is doing everything it can to get back to being a strong contender, and it seems like nothing is stopping new general manager Bill Guerin from making trades. 

On Wednesday, during the second day of the NHL Draft, the Minnesota Wild has acquired forward Nick Bonino and the 37th and 70th draft picks in this Draft from the Nashville Predators in exchange for forward Luke Kunin and the 101st selection in this year’s draft.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the trade. 

The Predators do not retain any salary in this Bonino trade and get a great player in Kunin. Nashville has found a great way to dumb salary and get a good return for the future of the team. Bonino, who is signed through next season at a $4.1 million cap hit, scored 18 goals and posted 35 points in 67 games this past season, adding one goal in four games during the Return to Play.

Following this trade, Minnesota now has $8.467M in cap space. Nashville now has $12.292M in cap space. The Predators also took the opportunity to place forward Kyle Turris and defenseman Steven Santini on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying them out.

Fans in Minnesota are reacting strongly to seeing Kunin leaving the Wild. He was much appreciated in the city and was becoming a fan favourite. The 22-year-old had 15 goals and 31 points in 63 games with the Wild this past season, adding two goals in four games in the Edmonton bubble.

He was selected 15th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft and is set for restricted free agency this off-season. Kunin has 23 goals and 52 points in 131 career games, all with the Wild.