Syracuse Crunch Maxim Cajkovic (51) on the ice against the Cleveland Monsters in American Hockey League (AHL) action at the Upstate Medical University Arena in Syracuse, New York on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. Cleveland won 8-3.
The Penguins made a minor trade today, sending defenseman Will Butcher to Minnesota for forward Maxim Cajkovic.
Without knowing the details, it would appear GM Kyle Dubas was doing Butcher a solid by dealing him to a team that might have use for him. The Wild recently lost puck-moving defenseman Jared Spurgeon with a season-ending hip/back injury and traded another offensive-minded rearguard, former Pens prospect Calen Addison, to the Sharks in November.
Too, Wild coach John Hynes is most familiar with the 29-year-old blueliner, having coached him in New Jersey.
Once a highly sought-after player who won the Hobey Baker Award in 2016-17 and earned NHL All-Rookie team honors with the Devils the following season, Butcher’s career has pretty much been in steady regression since. However, he’s put up strong numbers in the AHL, including 43 points in 65 games last season with the Texas Stars and seven points (3+4) in 14 games with the Baby Pens this season.
Frankly, given the issues with the left side of our defense, I’m a little surprised he wasn’t afforded at least a cameo with the black and gold to display his wares.
Hard to know exactly what we’re getting in the 23-year-old Cajkovic (pictured), an obscure former third-round pick of the Lightning back in ’19. The right-handed shooting Slovakian has put up decent numbers…albeit in the ECHL. His AHL production…four goals and nine points in 27 games spread over three seasons…leaves a bit to be desired.
The 5’11”, 185-pounder has a higher AAV ($925 K) than Butcher ($775 K), although his actual cap hit is $850 K.
A prelude of bigger deals to come?
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