Wild, Middleton agree to 3-year deal

The Minnesota Wild and defenseman Jacob Middleton agreed on a three-year contract extension carrying an average annual value of $2.45 million Wednesday.

Middleton was a pending restricted free agent. The Wild acquired him from the San Jose Sharks for goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen and a fifth-round pick on trade deadline day in March.

The 26-year-old blue-liner doesn't put up big offensive numbers but he's a reliable defensive defenseman. Middleton drove possession, as the Wild controlled 50.62% of the expected goals with him on the ice at five-on-five this past season, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Middleton was in his fourth campaign with the Sharks when they dealt him to Minnesota.

The Wild will have about $4 million in cap space when Middleton signs his contract, per CapFriendly. They still have four more pending free agents, most notably veteran netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, who can become a UFA.

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