A third trade that reportedly snuck in just moments before the 2 p.m. CST NHL deadline has sent Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Klingberg to the Minnesota Wild.
That makes three deadline-day trades for the Wild, who sent Jordan Greenway to Buffalo for a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round selection, and acquired forward Oskar Sundqvist from Detroit for a 2023 fourth-round pick.
According to Joe Smith of The Athletic, the Wild are giving Anaheim a 2025 fourth-round pick, Andrej Sustr and the rights to Nesterenko. The Ducks are also retaining half of Klingberg’s salary.
Michael Russo says that once Jonas Brodin returns from injury, Alex Goligoski and Calen Addison could be the odd men out of the lineup. That would mean head coach Dean Evason would find three defensive pairings featuring Klingberg, Brodin, Jared Spurgeon, Jacob Middleton, Matt Dumba and Jon Merrill.
With #mnwild acquiring John Klingberg, they'll carry 8 D with Alex Goligoski staying put. As I reported this morning, it felt like they'd want a D and were willing to move Goligoski if he wanted. Now that he's staying, Goligoski/Addison may be the extras once Jonas Brodin is back
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) March 3, 2023
Klingberg is 30 years old and has eight goals and 16 assists in 50 games this season. Before joining the Ducks, he was a star in Dallas for eight seasons. He was an All-Star in 2018 and twice finished sixth in voting for the defensive player of the year award.
John Klingberg, acquired by MIN, is a skilled puck-moving defenceman who's great on the powerplay. He's also the worst defensive player on the worst defensive team of the cap era. Truly just gave up on defending entirely. #MNWild pic.twitter.com/yZovKZKe5q
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 3, 2023
