After two seasons in Buffalo's minor league system, Joseph Cecconi has signed a one-year, two-way contract and will join the Minnesota Wild. The 27-year-old defenseman has never made the jump to the NHL despite playing steadily in the AHL for the last five seasons. In 2023-24 with Rochester (AHL), Cecconi had a goal and 13 points.
After three successful seasons in Minnesota, Jake Middleton has signed a four-year contract extension worth $17.4 million ($4.35M AAV). The 28-year-old had career highs in almost all statistical categories in 2023-24, with seven goals, 25 points, 77 PIMs and a -15 plus/minus through 80 games played.
Minnesota added to their depth on Monday by adding a veteran presence in Devin Shore on a one-year, two-way deal. The 29-year-old is joining his sixth NHL team in his 10th season and had a goal and four points in 21 games played in 2023-24 with Seattle.
Boyd only appeared in 16 games for Arizona in 2023-24 but has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract with Minnesota on Monday. The 30-year-old will join his fifth team in eight NHL seasons after putting up two goals and eight points in 16 games played in 2023-24.
Trenin will get a big pay upgrade as he signed a four-year, $14 million contract ($3,500,000 AAV) to join the Minnesota Wild on Monday. The 27-year-old bottom-six forward was acquired by Colorado at the trade deadline last season from Nashville and had 12 goals, 17 points and 40 PIMs in 76 games played in 2023-24.
Minnesota completed a minor move on Friday as Adam Beckman has been moved to New Jersey for Graeme Clarke. Clarke is a 23-year-old right-winger who was New Jersey's 2019 third-round pick (80th overall) and made his NHL debut in 2023-24, failing to pick up a point in three games played.
Colorado is expected to announce the plan with Yakov Trenin ahead of Game 6 on Friday after their fourth-line forward left Game 5 due to an undisclosed injury after just 2:16 TOI. The 27-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline and has locked down his fourth line centre roll well with a goal, eight SOG and four PIMs in 10 games played in the playoffs.
James van Riemsdyk will make his series debut for the Bruins in game three, making Lauko the odd man out of the lineup. Lauko played the first two games of the series, averaging 10:43 time-on-ice while registering five shots and 11 hits.
Zuccarello has missed the last three games but will return to the lineup for Minnesota's final contest of the season. Zuccarello has six points (0G / 6A) during a four-game point streak and has 62 points (11G / 51A) in 68 games this season.
Rumours of retirement have been put to rest as Fleury will continue his prolific NHL career for at least one more season. The 39-year-old Fleury has lost his footing slightly but was still serviceable between the pipes for Minnesota this season, posting a 2.98 GAA and .895 SV% in 39 games (17-14-5).
Clarke will be the odd-man out on Monday when the Devils play their final game of the regular season. Clarke played just three games with the Devils this season and did not register a point.
Gaudreau has not played the last two games but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Gaudreau has five goals and 15 points in 65 games this season.
Fresh off of signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract extension, Fleury will start between the pipes for Minnesota's final game of the season. Fleury has struggled lately, allowing four or more goals in four of his last five (1-3-1), posting an ugly .823 SV%. That said, he was stellar in a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken in February, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%). Minnesota enters action as a -149 home favourite.
Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes for the first time in three games. Gustavsson has allowed four or more goals in two straight, including his most recent outing when he allowed five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota enters the action as a +146 road underdog against the Los Angeles Kings.
