Just days after reports surfaced that James Wisniewski was available, Jarmo Kekalainen shipped him off to one of his former teams in the Anaheim Ducks.
#CBJ trade James Wisniewski and DET's 3rd to Anaheim for a 2nd-rounder in 2015, William Karlsson and Rene Bourque.
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) March 2, 2015I really like William Karlsson, but I thought the Ducks did very well here. The 2nd is nice but it's not a huge upgrade from the 3rd Columbus is trading, and they're also forced to take on Rene Bourque's contract, which runs through 2015-16.
Karlsson has posted impressive possession numbers in Anaheim (51.6CF%) but has just three points in 18 games to show for it. His production in the AHL was solid - 21 points in 34 games - and his ice in Anaheim was somewhat limited, so it's reasonable to expect more if/when he's given a larger role in Columbus.
Again, Karlsson is a nice piece, but a suspect defense core is now worse off without Wisniewski. That's going to be a tough hole to fill moving forward.
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Cam Atkinson was rumored to have been available for a couple weeks now, but after re-igniting talks with the Jackets the two sides have agreed to a multi-year extension.
Atkinson, who was set to become a restricted free agent in July, has signed a three-year extension with Columbus at a very cap friendly salary.
#CBJ have resigned Cam Atkinson to a three-year deal, $3.5M AAV
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 2, 2015I think Jarmo Kekalainen did very well here. The Blue Jackets don't have a ton of offensive fire power and are weak on the right side, so getting their best right winger extended on the cheap can't be looked at as anything but a good move.
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With the deadline quickly approaching the Blue Jackets have made their first deal of the day, trading Jordan Leopold to the Minnesota Wild.
In return for Leopold's services, Jarmo Kekalainen and the Jackets acquired 26-year-old defenseman Justin Falk and a 5th round draft pick.
Leopold played just 18 games with the Jackets recording three points and posting a 40.7CF%. There's no doubt his best days are long behind him, but he makes a good first pass and can provide some veteran depth for a team gearing up for the playoffs.
Falk didn't record a point in any of his 13 NHL games this season, but owns a 44.6CF%. That's certainly not anything to write home about, but that's better than what Leopold posted, though Columbus is a lesser team.
I don't think this deal will alter much for either franchise.
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