Cole traded to Wild by Avalanche for Pateryn
"Ian is a guy I know well from again my Pittsburgh days and somebody that I trust on the ice," said Wild general manager Bill Guerin, who was assistant GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2014-19. "I like the way he carries himself.
And when (Avalanche GM) Joe [Sakic] told me he'd be available, we worked on it quickly and we got something done."
Guerin said Cole's championship experience can be valuable for Minnesota, as is the fact that forward
Nick Bonino also was on those two Cup-winning teams in Pittsburgh. The Wild acquired Bonino in a trade from the Nashville Predators on Oct. 7.
"It is a different experience, and one that, if we have guys that have been there before, and have accomplished that, it can only help," Guerin said. "Ian was an integral part of those wins, as was Bonino. They are guys that have great value and have a lot to offer and I have a ton of respect for that."