Breaking: Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild Make a Trade Involving a Defenseman

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Elias Edmonson
January 25, 2024 (5:22 PM)

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We have a trade to announce!

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded offensive defenseman Will Butcher to the Minnesota Wild!

Butcher is 29 years old and has intriguing potential.

"I'm told the Wild have acquired Penguins defenseman Will Butcher. This will add more depth to Minnesota and in Iowa."

29 years old, former DU national champion and Hobey Baker winner, he has 114 points in 275 games for the Devils and Sabres. He was a fifth-round pick of the Avs in 2013." - Via Michael Russo, journalist for the Minnesota Wild

They therefore receive Maxim Cajkovic in return, and it's a "one-for-one" trade.

Cajkovic, 23 years old, has accumulated 18 points (12 goals) in 20 games in the ECHL this season, and 3 points in 5 games in the AHL.

He had a productive junior career in the QMJHL and was a 3rd round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.

As for Butcher, the 29-year-old left-handed defenseman was expected to become a dominant offensive defenseman in the NHL and was compared to a Kevin Shattenkirk.

After a very solid rookie season in the NHL (44 points in 81 games), his production declined and he accumulated 43 points in 65 games last season with the Texas Stars. (AHL)

Details to follow.