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Columbus Blue Jackets Complete Trade with Minnesota Wild

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 4:46 PM ET

The Columbus Blue Jackets have just acquired Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild in a trade, and heading the other way is Cameron Butler.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired forward Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Cameron Butler, General Manager Don Waddell just announced, and first reported by NHL insider Chris Johnston.

This is Gaunce's second stint with the Blue Jackets

Gaunce, age 31, scored 13 goals and added 16 assists for 29 points with 71 penalty minutes, while averaging 10:39 of ice time in 189 career NHL games with the Wild, Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks.

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Gaunce was signed by Columbus as a free agent back on July 30, 2021, and recorded seven goals, five assists for 12 points, while adding 20 penalty minutes over three campaigns with the club from 2021-24.

He set single-season NHL career highs in goals and points in 2021-22 with the Blue Jackets.

Butler, age 23, appeared in one game with the Blue Jackets, making his league debut on Mar. 30, 2024, vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He scored four goals, seven assists, for 11 points, while racking up 145 PIM in 91 career appearances with the AHL Monsters since making his pro debut at the end of the 2022-23 season.

The 6-4, 215-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario, was signed by Columbus to an entry-level contract back on Mar. 16, 2023.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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