Dec 18, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild center Brendan Gaunce (21) shoots against the Florida Panthers in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.ST. PAUL, Minn - The Minnesota Wild made a trade on Thursday morning and followed it up with another trade.
First, the Wild traded forward Freddy Gaudreau to the Seattle Kraken for a fourth round pick. They have now traded forward Brendan Gaunce to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a prospect.
Gaunce, 31, played 12 games for the Wild during the 2024-25 season and recorded one assist. He spent the three previous seasons with the Blue Jackets before the Wild signed him before the season.
The 6-foot-3 forward was an AHL All-Star for the Iowa Wild during the 2024-25 season. He recorded 15 goals, 14 assists, and 39 points in 39 games.
Minnesota will get back forward Cameron Butler in the trade. The 6-foot-4 forward recorded two goals, one assist, and 74 penalty minutes in 37 games for the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. He has played one NHL game in his career but only got 54 seconds of ice time.
