Colorado and Minnesota swapped defensemen on Tuesday, with the Avalanche acquiring Greg Pateryn and the Wild receiving Ian Cole.

The trade represents a significant salary-cap savings for Colorado from Cole's $4.25 million hit to Pateryn's $2.25 million. It also frees up a spot on the left side of the blue line for 19-year-old Avalanche prospect Bowen Byram.

"The trade really works for them and the trade really works for us," Wild GM Bill Guerin said. "And that's what's most important, I think, in making deals is you make a fair deal."