The 2012 NHL trade deadline looked like it was going to be a pretty slow one for the Minnesota Wild, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. After trading Nick Schultz away earlier in the day, the Wild sent Greg Zanon to the Boston Bruins for Steve Kampfer right at the 2 p.m. deadline.
Zanon scored just six points and and compiled 14 penalty minutes for the Wild this season, but his value was worth quite a bit more than what showed in the box score. SB Nation Minnesota's Bryan Reynolds broke down what Zanon might be worth in a feature on Monday morning.
Greg Zanon - A gritty, shot blocking, tough, stay-at-home defenseman is something every single playoff team wants at the deadline. He is almost 100% not going to be re-signed this summer, so the Wild could certainly use to get something for him before letting him walk. The Wild have a strong stable of young defenseman, and plenty of guys who are better all around players than Zanon. Once a fan favorite, Zanon has slipped into near scapegoat status. Getting out now may be best for both sides.
What he is worth: After what Chuck Fletcher got for Marek Zidlicky, the return for Zanon could be pretty high. A second round pick seems to be the going rate, and if that is offered, Fletcher should jump.
Instead of a second round pick, the Wild received the 23-year-old Kampfer from the Bruins. Reynolds wrote at Hockey Wilderness that it should turn out to be a good trade.
The Mike Yeo system does not fit with players like Greg Zanon, so getting something for him is a good thing. The Wild trade a one dimensional player for a young player who looks to be still under development, but good turn out to be a solid d-man.
If nothing else, it shouldn't hurt considering it was likely that Zanon was gone next year anyway.
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