UPDATE The Jackets have made another small move acquiring winger Lauri Koprikoski for defencemen Dillion Heatherington.
#CBJ sending D Dillon Heatherington to Dallas #Stars as the return of Korpikoski
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 1, 2017
Another small move, but this is the depth forward the Jackets needed to acquire. Korpikoski has 20 points in 60 games. He's not a good possession player, at just 45.75% on the season. He's a fast skater that can play on the penalty kill. He fits well into that 13th forward role and provides some insurance for the injuries to Calvert and Sedlak. He makes just $1M, and the contract expires at the end of the season.
As for Heatherington he's getting to the point where he's a non-prospect. He's still young, just 21, but he's been underwhelming in the AHL and his path to the NHL was murky at best. The Jackets have plenty of players who can step into the role Heatherington plays. He was one of many big physical shutdown defencemen that the Blue Jackets have in the system. This isn't a huge loss.
*** Been a very slow day for the Jackets but they have made a move. The Blue Jackets have acquired defencemen Kyle Quincey from the New Jersey Devils for Dalton Prout.
Quincey to CLB for Dalton Prout
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 1, 2017
Not a blockbuster but this is an addition for the Jackets. Quincey adds some defensive depth, he's likely the 7th defencemen for this team. He has played 53 games this season and has 12 points. He has a 47.64% Corsi at 5 on 5. He's a veteran player whose been to the playoffs having played 54 playoff games with Detroit and Colorado.
He's not a flashy player but he brings more to the table than Prout. This is a good acquisition since it doesn't cost a pick.
Prout gets a fresh start after falling down the CBJ depth chart. Quincey comes in 4-8-12 in 53 GP this year. pic.twitter.com/d7gs3ifHJx
— Alison (@AlisonL) March 1, 2017
Quincey makes $1.25M which is actually less than the $1.575M Prout makes, per Cap Friendly . He is also on an expiring contract, whereas Prout has one more year. The Jackets get a better player for less money and clear cap space for next season. This will help as they have to re-sign Alexander Wennberg in the off-season and he is going to get a big raise.
It's nothing crazy but this move improves the team and that is the goal of the trade deadline.
***
The Blue Jackets aren’t expected to be too active today. The Jackets could use a depth forward. William Karlsson was out yesterday with the flu and the Jackets did not have another forward to put in the line-up. They dressed Scott Harrington and rolled 11F and 7D. Harrington played a grand total of 51 seconds in the game. Markus Hanikainen was in the line-up and after two early penalties he was benched and only played 5:10.
A depth forward would be good even if it’s just a fill in for a couple games while the Jackets wait for Matt Calvert and Lukas Sedlak to get healthy.
The Jackets did make a small move yesterday signing Marc-Andre Bergeron to a two-way deal. Bergeron was playing for Cleveland and this move gives the Jackets some more defensive depth. Buckeye State Hockey had a good write up on the signing.
New Report: Blue Jackets sign D Marc-Andre Bergeron to two-way deal
— Buckeye State Hockey (@BuckeyeStHockey) February 28, 2017
from @307x https://t.co/a9VmM0UQGY pic.twitter.com/uIfU6r1lY4
Bergeron has cleared waivers and will remain in Cleveland.
#CBJ Marc-Andre Bergeron cleared waivers. Will stay in Cleveland w @monstershockey
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 1, 2017
Should the Jackets make a move, I’ll make sure to have the details here and instant reaction. As always you can find me on Twitter (@PaulBerthelot) for my thoughts on rumours and other deals as they happen.