Minnesota Wild & Tampa Bay Lightning Complete Trade

The Minnesota Wild lost some toughness when Ryan Reaves signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now. they are gaining some back, as they have acquired Pat Maroon (20% retained) from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Wild also added Max Cajkovic in the deal, while Tampa has landed a 2024 seventh-round pick.

Maroon has been a solid part of the Lightning's bottom six for the last four seasons, but now he will be taking his talent to Minnesota. In 80 games this past season, he posted five goals, 14 points, and a career-high 150 penalty minutes. Clearly, he brings sandpaper, and this is something that the Wild were looking for after losing Reaves.

Cajkovic, on the other hand, spent this past season primarily in the ECHL with the Orlando Solar Bears. In 41 games played, he had 10 goals to go along with 27 points. The 22-year-old winger will now be looking for a promotion to the AHL with the Wild organization.

The Lightning have gained cap space moving Maroon. Perhaps this could be an indicator that the Lightning may be making another move elsewhere.

Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to see how much of an impact Maroon makes in Minnesota from here.