The Wild continues to shop Cal Clutterbuck and Tom Gilbert

Typically, deals like this come down on the draft floor or just before the draft because the Wild is looking for either a first-round pick in the Clutterbuck deal (teams are hesitant to give up firsts right now because this draft is so deep) or a second so it could potentially use two seconds to try to move into the first round.

And often times when picks are involved, the teams involved want to make certain first the player they want to take is still sitting there. For instance, in 2006 when the Wild acquired Pavol Demitra for a first and Patrick O’Sullivan, the L.A. Kings didn’t agree to the deal until they were certain Trevor Lewis would still be there.

As you saw in today’s story,  it is looking increasingly likely that Clutterbuck will be traded this weekend. He has value, he is a restricted free agent and the Wild’s cap space is limited. The Wild is looking for a second and prospect, but perhaps the price can go up if there’s a bidding war for Clutterbuck.

I do hear that GM Chuck Fletcher would prefer to trade Clutterbuck to the East. As I reported the other day, Fletcher had lunch Thursday with Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis. Boston may make sense, too. In the West, as I reported last week, I hear Edmonton has shown significant interest. But I’d be lying if I said I know all the teams involved.

Again, Gilbert’s future is almost certainly elsewhere. If he’s not traded, the Wild will likely buy him out and create an extra $4 million of cap space. It’ll also be interesting to see if the Wild moves guys like Devin Setoguchi or Kyle Brodziak or Torrey Mitchell. It’s listening to offers at least.

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