The trade rumors are flying in Saint Paul, as the Wild push towards the playoffs, and fans expect a long spring run. As with any rumor mill, it is difficult to sort fact from fiction, and everything, even Marion Gaborik, is game this time of year. There are rumors of Marian Gaborik being traded, Marian Hossa (another friend of Gaborik’s) coming over from the Thrashers, and talk of Peter Forsberg being signed.

The Wild have a long list of needs on both the offense and defensive side of the puck. GM Doug Risebrough is being choosy in his dealings however. Like many NHL GMs he is unwilling to sacrifice the future of the franchise for a one time shot at the cup. The Wild have a strong minor league system, turning out everyday players like Bouchard, Koivu, Veilleux, and Voros.

Risebrough is smart enough to know he has set up a strong franchise based on this system. However, giving up prospects or draft picks is something he has shown a willingness to do for the right move, as he did when trading top prospect Patrick O’Sullivan to the Kings to secure Pavol Demitra.

Targets of trade talk start with a look at the list of unrestricted free agents around the league. With off-season decisions of their own to make, the Wild will most likely not be able to afford to keep top-tier players like Alex Tanguay or Alexi Zhamnov after this season, nor would their teams necessarily be willing to part with them. Many of the UFAs on the list are also old by NHL standards, many pushing 40, and most likely the end of their careers.

The Wild have their fair share of upcoming free agents, as well. Brian Rolston, Pavol Demitra, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Todd Fedoruk, Bronco Radivojevic, Nick Schultz, Keith Carney, Petteri Nummelin, and Sean Hill will all be looking for homes come July 1st.

Demitra has been vocal about his disdain for the Lemaire system and is a prime candidate for a big trade, but is also a big piece of a playoff run. Losing Demitra would also contribute to Gaborik’s decision-making process two summers from now. Rolston’s production is not what it used to be, despite goals in the past nine of ten games.

Schultz and Bouchard are simple decisions, and the Wild will most likely keep them around and make fair offers to keep them long-term. Hill is a physical, veteran presence on the blue line, and comes with a very low price tag, look for the Wild to hang on to him.

Fedoruk and Radivojevic are decisions that will be based on where other contracts come down, and contract offers from teams. Fedoruk has brought a physical game after being claimed off waivers by the Wild, and has played on the top line as protection for Gaborik and Demitra. Radivojevic has not produced offensively, but has served well on the checking line. Look for both to stay put at least through the play-offs.

Nummelin and Carney are prime trade bait. Nummelin is making $1.2 million to sit at home and watch the games on Fox Sports North. He has offensive ability, and could be a choice for a team looking to add an offensive-minded defenseman. Carney is just the opposite, and could be a choice for a team looking for a veteran to shore up the blue line.

Looking the other direction, at who the Wild could be targeting is even more difficult to sort out. Andrew Brunette in Colorado is a UFA, and would be a welcome return in the system. The Avs are not likely to do anything to help the Wild unless they experience a sudden, and unbelievable, melt down.

Miroslav Satan is a good fit for Lemaire's system, and could be a target, if the Islanders continue to slip. The asking price may be too high for him though, with New York looking at prospects or draft picks for him.

Marian Hossa is a big rumor floating around the web, but he is a top-tier player, coming with a top-tier asking price. Reports have Gaborik doubting that Hossa would be willing to play in Lemaire’s system, making that another long shot at best.

Rob Blake of the LA Kings, an elite defenseman in the thick of nearly every trade rumor in the league, is also a long shot for the Wild. While he would make a good fit, the fact that Risebrough has so many other options at defense makes this trade unlikely. The fact that every team in the league wants Blake does not help the situation, as competition raises the price.

The safe bet would be that unless Risebrough and the Wild get some randomly sweet offer, they stand pat. Through some miracle they could actually win the Forsberg sweepstakes, but that is a huge long shot. It is likely any moves the Wild make will be role player moves at the most. If they move anyone at the NHL level, it will likely be Carney, Nummelin, or Rolston, with Rolston a long shot move. Nummelin is gone at the end of the year, so a trade would at least get something from the process. What they could or would get in return is up in the air.

It is anyone's guess what goes on in those meetings and conversations at the top levels of the NHL, so anything could happen. However, there are few game breakers sitting on teams willing to sell them off. Look for the Wild to seek out a defensive forward or two, but no blockbuster deals are likely.