In a surprise move Bill Guerin has brought in a familiar face in Ian Cole from Colorado, in exchange for Gre Pateryn.
This move looks eerily similar to deals that Paul Fenton made acquiring players that he knew from his days in Nashville. Guerin obviously knows Cole and his experience winning two Stanley Cups together in Pittsburgh.
The obvious question here is why take on the extra $2M in salary of Cole at $4.25M vs the $2.25M of Pateryn. Both players are UFAs at season's end.
Pateryn has looked good through the Wild's first three games chipping in 2 assists while playing his typical solid defensive game keeping the front porch clean. Cole is a different type of defenseman and he does have the rings.
It is puzzling to say the least but Guerin is a man with a plan. Not so certain that making trades within the division is the best policy either. This may of course be a precursor to some other movement which of course we will have to wait and see...