Colorado and Minnesota swap defensemen

DENVER (AP) – Colorado and Minnesota have swapped veteran defensemen. The Avalanche are getting Greg Pateryn from the Wild in exchange for Ian Cole. The 30-year Pateryn has two assists in three games this season for the Wild. Cole, who turns 32 in February, hasn’t registered a point this season. he deal represents a significant salary-cap savings for Colorado. Cole was a $4.25 million hit compared with $2.25 million for Pateryn. It gives the Avalanche more room to work with for later deals and frees up a spot for prospect Bowen Byram.