Middleton, a 2027 third-round pick, a 2028 fourth-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick were traded to the Flames from the Wild on Thursday in exchange for Blake Coleman and Olli Maatta, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Middleton spent his fourth full season in Minnesota during the 2025-26 campaign, recording two goals, 14 assists, 117 blocked shots, 87 hits and 76 PIM while averaging 17:30 of ice time across 75 regular-season appearances. The 30-year-old has logged under 100 hits in back-to-back years after reaching that threshold in the three prior seasons, but he's still been a fairly reliable contributor who should have the opportunity to maintain a consistent role with his new team.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Ends slump with goal Saturday
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Middleton scored a goal, blocked two shots and added 10 PIM in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Senators.
Middleton had gone 16 games without a point prior to that third-period insurance tally. The 30-year-old continues to see steady bottom-four minutes, providing physicality rather than offense for a Wild blue line that has plenty of the latter from other players. Middleton is at 15 points, 58 shots on net, 82 hits, 74 PIM and 105 blocked shots across 69 appearances this season.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Stuck in skid
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Middleton's point drought reached 16 games in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.
Middleton has earned 13 hits and 27 blocked shots in that span. The 30-year-old is filling a third-pairing role currently, as the Wild's defensive depth has seen him shift down the depth chart during 2025-26. Middleton has 14 points, 57 shots on net, 64 PIM, 82 hits, 103 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 68 appearances, and it's likely he'll miss the 20-point mark for the first time in three years.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Adds helper in win
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Middleton logged an assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Flames.
Middleton has produced three points over 14 outings in January. The 30-year-old defenseman continues to play significant shutdown minutes for the Wild, mainly on the second pairing. He's at 11 points, 41 shots on net, 63 hits, 68 blocked shots, 57 PIM and an even plus-minus rating across 48 games this season.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Gets rare goal Saturday
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Middleton scored a goal and blocked six shots in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Kings.
Middleton's goal Saturday was his first of the season. He's added two assists in eight games since he returned from an upper-body injury. The shutdown defenseman is at nine points, 28 shots on net, 51 hits, 52 blocked shots, 44 PIM and a plus-1 rating through 36 appearances this season. Given the depth of the Wild's currently healthy blue line, Middleton is likely to see mostly third-pairing usage for the foreseeable future.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Collects assist in return
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Middleton posted an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Oilers.
Middleton missed five games with an upper-body injury. Since he exited the lineup following a Dec. 8 injury versus the Kraken, the Wild bolstered their blue line by trading for Quinn Hughes. That likely means Middleton will be confined to the third pairing moving forward, limiting his already low fantasy upside. The defenseman is at just seven assists with 22 shots on net, 43 hits, 43 blocked shots, 37 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 29 appearances. Middleton is likely to miss the 20-point mark for the first time in three years.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Taken off injured reserve
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Middleton (upper body) was activated off injured reserve on Saturday, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
The 29-year-old sat out five games after he was hurt in Seattle on Dec. 8. The blueliner had six assists, 42 hits, 43 blocked shots and 35 PIM in 28 games prior to getting injured.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Resuming skating Wednesday
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Middleton (upper body) will start skating Wednesday, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports.
Middleton's already missed four games and is in line to miss at least one more, as he's not expected to travel to Columbus on Thursday. The 29-year-old blueliner will need to be activated from injured reserve once he's ready to return.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Placed on injured reserve
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Middleton (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.
Middleton suffered the injury Monday in Seattle in the third period and did not return. He has six assists, 35 PIM, 42 hits and 43 blocked shots across 28 appearances this season. The Wild realled Matt Kiersted from AHL Iowa in a corresponding move.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Leaves game with injury
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Middleton (undisclosed) was forced out of Monday's 4-1 win in Seattle, and there was no update on his status postgame, according to Sarah McLellan of The Minnesota Star Tribune.
Middleton logged an assist and one blocked shot in 16:34 of ice time before exiting the game. Considering head coach John Hynes didn't have any information on the blueliner's status going forward, Middleton should be considered questionable, at best, for Thursday's divisional matchup versus Dallas.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Nabs helper in return
Rotowire
Middleton picked up an assist with a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Ducks.
The veteran blueliner missed the prior two games due to an illness, but Middleton slotted back in on the second pairing Saturday alongside Jared Spurgeon and fed Matt Boldy for an empty-netter late in the third period. Middleton has just two points, both assists, in 17 games this season, but he's also contributed 29 blocked shots, 26 hits, 26 PIM, 14 shots on net and a minus-1 rating.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Ready to return
Rotowire
Middleton (illness) is good to play Saturday versus Anaheim, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
Middleton was initially considered doubtful for the game, but it seems he'll be in the lineup after all. He's projected to serve on the second pairing alongside Jared Spurgeon. Middleton has an assist, 26 hits and 29 blocks in 16 appearances this year.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Doubtful Saturday
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Middleton (illness) is not expected to play in Saturday's home game versus Anaheim, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
Middleton has missed the Wild's previous two games due to the injury. Look for David Jiricek to remain in the lineup. Middleton is without a point in 12 games this season.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Deemed game-time call for Saturday
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Middleton (illness) is considered a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against the Ducks, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Middleton has missed Minnesota's last two games due to an illness. Head coach John Hynes said Friday that Middleton is still dealing with some effects of the illness, so the team's medical staff will evaluate him further Saturday before determining his status against Anaheim. If Middleton is unable to play, David Jiricek will likely remain in the lineup for a third consecutive game.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Not playing Tuesday
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Middleton (illness) won't play against San Jose on Tuesday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.
Middleton didn't participate in Tuesday's morning skate and will miss his second straight game. He has contributed one assist, 14 shots on goal, 29 blocked shots and 26 hits across 16 appearances this season. Due to Middleton's absence, David Jiricek will be in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup against the Sharks.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Late scratch
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Middleton is not suiting up for Sunday's home matchup versus Calgary due to an illness.
Middleton will miss his first game of the season Sunday. David Jiricek, who was a healthy scratch for the team's last two games, will take Middleton's place in the lineup against the Flames. The 29-year-old Middleton's next chance to play will be Tuesday against San Jose.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Posts helper in loss
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Middleton notched an assist and four PIM in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Capitals.
Middleton earned his first point in five outings this season when he helped out on a Marcus Johansson tally. Offense isn't the primary reason for Middleton to be in the lineup -- he's a physical shutdown defenseman. The 29-year-old has collected 13 PIM, 11 blocked shots, seven hits and a minus-1 rating while seeing bottom-four minutes early in the season.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Registers assist Tuesday
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Middleton posted an assist, two shots on goal, four hits and five blocked shots in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights in Game 5.
Middleton got on the scoresheet for the first time this postseason when he helped out on Matt Boldy's third-period tally. The 29-year-old Middleton is playing big minutes in a top-four role, but he's there for his shutdown skills rather than his offense. The blueliner has added six shots on net, 10 hits, 19 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over five playoff games.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Earns helper in return
Rotowire
Middleton notched an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ducks.
Middleton missed four games due to an upper-body injury sustained April 4 versus the Islanders. He logged 18:18 of ice time in his return, playing on the second pairing. The 29-year-old will likely see heavy minutes as a top-four blueliner in the playoffs. He ends the regular season with 21 points, 97 shots, 157 blocks, 99 hits, 40 PIM and a plus-11 rating over 67 appearances.
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Wild's Jake Middleton: Ready to rock
Rotowire
Middleton (upper body) will play against Anaheim on Tuesday, Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.
Middleton will return from a four-game absence as the Wild seek to secure a playoff berth. He has generated eight goals, 20 points, 95 shots on net, 155 blocked shots and 98 hits across 66 appearances this season. With Middleton and Jared Spurgeon (neck) ready to return, Declan Chisholm and Zeev Buium will be healthy scratches versus the Ducks.
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