The Oilers and Wild have swapped defensemen, Edmonton sending Tom Gilbert to Minnesota for Nick Schultz.
Gilbert, a Minnesota native, is signed for two more seasons with a cap hit of $4 million. He registered a career-high 45 points in 2008-09 and obviously the Wild are hoping he can provide more offense than the recently departed Marek Zidlicky.
Schultz, a 2000 draft pick of the Wild and the franchise’s leader in games played (743), is signed for two more seasons with a cap hit of $3.5 million. He’s a defensive defenseman headed to a team that ranks 22nd in goals-against average.
Overall both teams address concerns – Minnesota needs to create more offense from its back end and Edmonton needs to shore things up defensively.
That said, the news still took Minnesota forward Cal Clutterbuck by surprise.
“It’s shocking,” Clutterbuck said, as per the StarTribune. “He’s what this organization is all about. Has been for 10 years.”