LAS VEGAS — The Minnesota Wild traded right winger Vinni Lettieri to the Boston Bruins on Saturday along with the 110th pick in the draft in exchange for 24-year-old left winger Jakub Lauko and the 122nd pick.
Lauko, drafted 77th overall in 2018, had two goals and 10 points in 60 games with the Bruins last season and has 17 points in 83 career games. He has one year remaining on his contract at $787,500.
Lettieri, 29, has five goals and four assists in 46 games. He has one year left on a $775,000, two-way contract with $550,000 guaranteed.
The Bruins selected Elliott Groenewold from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders with the 110th overall pick.
The Wild selected Aron Kiviharju from HIFK with the 122nd pick.
#MNWild fans: My article on Aron Kiviharju, who no longer has the prestige of former times but remains one of the smartest players in this class. https://t.co/cGCcCdaCQ1
-Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) June 29, 2024
Wild analysis
Lauko is a relentless player, who skates brilliantly and who has an energy that goes from north to south. Wild president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin hopes he will help the Wild reestablish some of its identity at the bottom of the table. He plays a tough, heavy style, something Wild fans may remember from last season when he beat Connor Dewar in a faceoff.
The move leaves the Wild with $5,999,746 in cap space heading into the offseason. —Michael Russo
Bruins Analysis
Lauko was left out for eight of the Bruins’ 13 playoff games. He lost the trust of coach Jim Montgomery due to his inconsistent play as a forechecker and his restless presence. During the regular season, Anthony Richard and Justin Brazeau were among the players recalled from the AHL who took some shifts from Lauko.
Lauko was once considered a fourth-line player who could play both wings and occasionally move up. He surprised himself and the Bruins by making the roster out of camp in 2022-23.
Internally, Trevor Kuntar, who is entering his second professional season, could be in the pipeline to replace Lauko on the fourth line. Same for Riley Duran, who is a good fit to start his first full professional year.
Lettieri should be deep. He was limited to just one appearance during his first tour with the Bruins in 2022-23. Lettieri sprained his ankle during his first call-up to the Bruins. -Shinzawa Flute
(Photo by Jakub Lauko: Rich Gagnon / Getty Images)
News Source : www.nytimes.com
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