The Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche have swapped a pair of veteran defensemen in what is most likely a salary cap trade for Colorado but a way to alleviate some pressure off the Wild’s top four. GM Bill Guerin and the Wild have acquired Ian Cole in exchange for Greg Pateryn, with CapFriendly also reporting that the Avalanche have retained $800K of Cole’s cap hit.
Related: Avalanche Considering Trade to Move a Veteran Defenseman?
There were rumors earlier in the day that the Avs might be looking to make a deal to send one of their extra blueliners out. The team is so deep at that position that a little cap room could go a long way to helping the team either be ready to the NHL Trade Deadline or add a goaltender during the season.
Cole, 31, carries a $4.25 million cap hit in the final season of a three-year, $12.75 million contract he signed with Colorado in 2018. Pateryn, 30, carries just $2.25 million this season, though he still offers a lot of experience with over 270 NHL games on his resume. Even retaining some salary in the deal, the Avs now get more than a $1 million in extra money to play with.
For Cole, it likely stings a little short-term that he was moved from a Stanley Cup favourite, but this will also be an opportunity to earn more ice time and, as a result, up his value prior to free agency. The Wild get a two-time Cup champ with the Penguins, a hard-nosed player with a hard shot.
You Know It’s 2021 In NHL When…
Hilariously, and in what seems to be the way things will go this season with trades, sources say since the Avs are in LA, and Cole will take the team bus to Anaheim, they will drop him off and take Pateryn back to Los Angeles. This way they both avoid quarantine.
Next: Mike Babcock Admits He “Screwed” Marner With Maple Leafs Teammates
Pingback: Wild Surging with Kaprizov and Stability in the Crease - SPORTWN