ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild has traded defenseman Jake Middleton to the Calgary Flames, ending the rugged blueliner's four-and-a-half-year tenure in Minnesota.

Middleton, 30, became a fan favorite after arriving from the San Jose Sharks in March 2022. Known for his physical play, toughness and personality, he developed into a reliable top-four defenseman and spent much of his time alongside Jared Spurgeon.

The move creates another significant change on Minnesota's blue line and frees up salary cap space as the organization continues reshaping its roster this offseason. Middleton was entering the second season of a four-year contract carrying a $4.35 million cap hit. 

It also came not even a full day after Guerin said, "We've been involved in a lot of different things. Some didn't work out. Some we backed out of. Some we don't know yet."

Minnesota will be getting back Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta as part of a package of Middleton and picks.

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