BRUINS, WILD EXCHANGE RESERVES
The Boston Bruins acquired goaltender Anton Khudobin from the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Jeff Penner and forward Mikko Lehtonen.
What does it give the Boston Bruins
This trade is similar in some ways to the Bruins stealing Tuukka Rask from the Toronto Maple Leafs a few years back. Khudobin doesn't have quite the same talent level as Rask, but he has done nothing but excel when given the chance at the NHL level. Adding him to the goalie mix in Beantown is impressive, especially with the peaking Tim Thomas set to turn 37 in April. A bit of a coup here for the Bruins, who now have three very good goalies.
What does it give the Minnesota Wild
Penner is a classic undersized offensive defenseman who took a bit of a step backwards this season in the AHL, but at 23 he still has some solid upside for the NHL level. Meanwhile Lehtonen was very solid at the AHL level from 2008 to 2010, but left North America to play in the Swedish Elite League (where he currently lines up for Skelleftea). Lehtonen may find himself a better fit for a Minny team that has several other Finnish players on the roster. All this said, Khudobin is the most talented player in this deal and when Niklas Backstrom eventually moves on a few years from now, the Wild may regret this trade.
Fantasy impact
