The Minnesota Wild announced that they have signed center Yakov Trenin to a four-year contract with a $3.5 million yearly cap hit. The Wild have been looking for a way to build up their middle six after a disappointing showing last season, specifically by Freddy Gaudreau and Marcus Johansson. After trading away most of the fourth line, it appears that Guerin wants to downgrade some of the disappointing players while bringing in new pieces to fill the holes.
Trenin was drafted 55th overall by the Nashville Predators during the 2015 NHL Draft. Trenin played with the Predators for five seasons before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche at the 2024 Trade Deadline in exchange for Jeremy Hanzel and a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Trenin was coached by current Minnesota Wild Head Coach John Hynes.
Last season, Trenin played in 60 games for the Predators and put up 14 points (10 goals and 4 assists). While he isn’t a high-scoring forward, he is defensively minded, which was lacking last season while the Wild were decimated by injuries. This signing will help the Wild get back to their desired personality, which is more gritty and defensive than high-scoring.
Trenin will also bring with him a background in penalty killing that will help the Wild after their penalty kill was at the bottom of the barrel last season. Kirill Kaprizov will probably also be grateful for another Russian player on the team.
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