Columbus acquired a depth forward on Thursday after trading for Branden Gaunce from Minnesota for AHL forward Cameron Butler. Gaunce, 31, spent most of 2024-25 as a healthy scratch for the Wild, which led to him only putting up an assist and a -4 plus/minus in 12 games played. He returns to familiar territory in Columbus, where he spent three seasons between 2021-2024 and had 12 points in 59 games played.
With Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returning from prolonged absences due to injuries, Minnesota has reassigned Brendan Gaunce and Devin Shore to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 31-year-old Gaunce averaged 9:42 time-on-ice and scored one point (0G / 1A) in 12 games with Minnesota this season.
Gaunce will slot in for Marcus Foligno, who was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. Gaunce is yet to register a point in seven games this season.
With Ryan Hartman returning to the lineup after an eight-game suspension, Gaunce will be sent to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Gaunce is averaging 10:00 time-on-ice and has zero points in seven games this season.
Gaunce will slot in for Devin Shore, who is a healthy scratch. Gaunce has played in five games this season and is yet to register a point.
Gaunce has 28 points (13G / 15A) in 182 career NHL games but has primarily been an AHL player this season, limited to only five contests with Minnesota. The 30-year-old forward has 29 points (15G / 14A) in 35 games with Iowa (AHL) this season.
Gaunce has 182 games of NHL experience but has never been able to secure a spot on an NHL roster. The 30-year-old played five games with Minnesota earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 22 points (12G / 10A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild.
Gaunce has 182 games of NHL experience but has never been able to secure a spot on an NHL roster. The 30-year-old played five games with Minnesota earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 22 points (12G / 10A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild.
Gaunce was recalled along with forward Liam Ohgren. Kirill Kaprizov was placed on long-term injured reserve and Marcus Johansson was placed on injured reserve in a pair of corresponding moves.
Gaunce will re-enter the press box after drawing into the lineup for Saturday's game in Carolina. Devin Shore re-enters the lineup in his place.
Gaunce was brought in as an extra player due to an illness running through the Minnesota roster but was not needed and will return to Iowa (AHL) on Tuesday. The 30-year-old veteran forward returns to the minors, where he has played well with 11 goals, 17 points and 12 PIMs in 22 games.
Gaunce has been in and out of Minnesota's lineup the past several weeks, recording zero points in five games. The 30-year-old has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in 22 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL).
Gaunce played four games over the last two weeks, recording zero points, and has been reassigned to the AHL. The 30-year-old has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 14 points (8G / 6A) in 21 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL).
Gaunce has played three straight but will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 30-year-old has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 14 points (8G / 6A) in 21 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL).
Gaunce has 177 games of NHL experience, scoring 28 career points (13G / 15A), but has primarily been an AHL played the past few seasons. The 30-year-old defenseman has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 21 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.
Gaunce is yet to make his Wild debut after signing a two-way contract in the off-season. The 30-year-old forward has registered 13 goals and 15 assists in 177 career NHL games split between the Canucks, Bruins, and Blue Jackets.
Minnesota continued their depth signings on Tuesday by bringing in Cleveland's (AHL) captain last season Brendan Gaunce to a two-year, two-way contract. The 30-year-old has appeared in 177 career NHL games since 2015-16 and has 13 goals and 28 points during that span. In 2023-24 he spent 24 games with Columbus (4 Pts) and the remainder of the season with Cleveland (AHL) where he had 19 goals and 39 points in 46 games played.
