Penguins deal D Will Butcher to Wild for F Maxim Cajkovic
Jan 18, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Will Butcher (4) shoots the puck in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. credits: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports The Minnesota Wild acquired veteran defenseman Will Butcher from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward prospect Maxim Cajkovic on Thursday.
Butcher, 29, hasn't played in the NHL since 2021-22 and will report to AHL affiliate Iowa.
He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team after tallying 44 points (five goals, 39 assists) in 81 games for the New Jersey Devils in 2017-18. In 275 career games for New Jersey (2017-21) and the Buffalo Sabres (2021-22), Butcher has 114 points (16 goals, 98 assists).
Cajkovic, 23, was a 2019 third-round draft choice by Tampa Bay but the Lightning dealt him and Pat Maroon to the Wild last July.
Cajkovic had three points in five games for AHL Iowa this season.
—Field Level Media
Latest
The Next Miracle? How USA Men's Hockey Team Defeated Canada
Mon Feb 23 2026
PGA Tour Stars Heating Up as Florida Swing Approaches
Mon Feb 23 2026
Cavaliers Exposed Again in Loss to Shorthanded Thunder
Mon Feb 23 2026
A Radical NBA Draft Proposal That Could End Tanking for Good
Sun Feb 22 2026
What Bruce Meyer’s Promotion Means for the 2027 MLB Lockout
Sat Feb 21 2026
Latest Betting
- UFC Houston Predictions: Strickland vs. Hernandez Betting Picks
- Friday NBA Odds & Best Bets: Feb. 20th Top Basketball Betting Picks
- MLB AL West Future Betting Picks: Totals, Pennant Winner, and More
- College Basketball Thursday Picks: Feb 19th Best Betting Predictions
- Genesis Invitational Best Betting Picks: Scottie Scheffler Headlines Return to Riviera
- NBA Betting Picks for Thursday Feb. 19th’s Return From All-Star Break
- Best 2026 American League Central Season-Long Future Betting Predictions

