The Wild operate with a higher degree of difficulty than 31 teams in the NHL, and trading their first-round pick for David Jiricek gives them less draft capital to offer other teams. That's all understandable. Nyquist was available, he could fit into the Wild's cap picture, and there was familiarity. It's not hard to see why the trade got made.

The Nashville Predators receive a second-round pick in the 2026 draft from Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Gustav Nyquist.

The Minnesota Wild acquired forward Gustav Nyquist from the Nashville Predators on Saturday in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2026. The Predators also will retain 50 percent of Nyquist's contract.