Fenton’s first trade

[Jimtown guy]

We have the first trade of the Paul Fenton era.

The Wild acquired forward Pontus Aberg in a deal with the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Justin Kloos, the team announced Wednesday night, the first player swap of the new Minnesota general manager’s tenure.

The 25-year-old Aberg is in the midst of the best season of his young career, tied for second on the Ducks with 11 goals to go along with eight assists in 37 games. One of those goals came against the Wild when the teams met in Anaheim on Nov. 9. The Athletic‘s Jordan Samuels-Thomas recently broke down his impressive skill here.

Fenton originally drafted Aberg when he was the assistant GM of the Nashville Predators, taking the 5-foot-11, 189-pound Swede with the 37th overall pick in 2012.

“He’s an offensive guy, he’s savvy with the puck and he’s patient with the puck. That’s hard to find sometimes in this new hurry-up style we play,” Fenton told the Tennessean then. “It seems like when he has the puck, he takes the extra time he needs to make the right play and he has a goal scorer’s look.”

Aberg, already in the Twin Cities with the Ducks ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Wild, will now make his Wild debut against his former team. He’s a right shot, which the Wild sorely lack among their top-end forwards.

Aberg debuted for the Predators in 2016-17 before being dealt to the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline last season, then joined the Ducks for the 2018-19 season. Overall, he has 16 goals and 21 assists in 105 NHL games. A restricted free agent to be, he is earning $650,000 this season.

Kloos, also 25, has 12 goals and 18 assists in 30 games for the Iowa Wild. He appeared in one NHL game last season.

[Ron Burgundy 4 President]

Interesting as Aberg was claimed on waivers from the Oilers just before the season started, but he actually has been one of their better offensive forwards albeit on a team that struggles to put the puck in the net. They are both the same age, but Aberg has managed to play quite a few more games at the NHL level that Kloos which says something. Neither will likely be great NHL players, but Kloos probably has a slightly higher ceiling offensively speaking. Bottom like is the Wild are starved for right handed forwards and this trade gives as that with a player than is ready to play at this level immediately.

Makes you wonder if Anaheim is giving up or if they just like Kloos a lot more than the Wild do and couldn't pass up getting him for a player that was a waiver claim addition to their roster just a few months ago?

[bombers3shooter]

He's a right stick sniper lottery ticket. Put him with Granny and hope they click! Sounds alot like Vanek all O and no D!

[Hornets]

[Hornets]

WAIT! Just found this highlight of Aberg.....WE'RE COMIN, WE'RE COMIN!!


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[Lenny5160]

Worth a shot. Probably similar to a right-shot Tyler Ennis although for about $4 million less. Didn't cost much. Likely keeps Brown and Hendricks off the ice, moves Nino down to the 4th line which is where he scores.

[Jimtown guy]

Seems to know how to hit the net but three teams have given up on him which is a bit alarming. Rumors are that he has attitude problems. With that said he’s worth a shot. Interesting to see what line he is in tonight.

[ILLogic]

Heard he has some character issues and is lazy defensively but also a very promising offensive talent

[Qman65]

He's the Terry Ryan of hockey.