It’s finally here! The Columbus Blue Jackets season opener approaches against Rick Nash and the New York Rangers.
In honor of this, I would like to take a brief look at the infamous trade that sent the face of the Blue Jackets to New York.
Some big names were moved, and some not so big. Let’s find out where they all ended up.
Rangers Get
Rick Nash
Nash was the obvious centerpiece in this deal. Since joining the Rangers he has scored 89 goals and 150 points since the 2012-13 season. In the playoffs, he added 9 goals and 20 assists.
Nash has had peaks and valleys in his play, and at times has been the subject of intense trade rumors.
Conditional Third-Round Pick in 2013
New York used this pick on forward Pavel Buchnevich. Here is a snippet from Hockey’s Future on Buchnevich.
Buchnevich will return to the KHL for the 2015-16 season and spend at least one more season in Russia. His skill set suggests he could one day contribute to the lineup in New York but with a deep group of forwards the Rangers can allow him to continue developing in Europe.
Steve Delisle
Delisle was traded back to the Blue Jackets as part of the Marian Gaborik deal. After his contract expired, the defenseman was not offered a new one. He is currently playing in the AHL for the Springfield Falcons.
Blue Jackets Get
Brandon Dubinsky
Dubinsky is an important part of the Blue Jackets squad. He was recently named an alternate captain on the team.
He has scored 31 goals and 75 assists since the 2012-13 season, while adding 1 playoff goal and 5 assists.
Artem Anisimov
Anisimov was a key part in the trade that brought Brandon Saad to Columbus. He is currently centering the Blackhawks second-line.
Tim Erixon
Erixon is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also played for the Blackhawks and Maple Leafs since leaving Columbus.
First-Round Pick 2013
Columbus used this pick on winger Kerby Rychel, the son of former NHLer Warren Rychel.
Rychel is a high-end prospect that will have an impact in the NHL one day. He had a strong camp this year, and will likely see time with the big club should injuries create a need.
He will start the season with the Lake Erie Monsters.
Current Assessment
They say that the team that gets the best player wins. In this case I would have to disagree.
Columbus got a heart-and-soul player in Dubinsky, a strong center in Anisimov that helped bring in Saad, and a top prospect in Rychel that will be a top-six winger in the NHL sooner than later.
I’d say to this point, advantage Columbus.
Until next time.