Columbus Blue Jackets Trade Tim Erixon to Chicago for Jeremy Morin

The trade of Rick Nash to New York Rangers was a stepping stone to the team we have today. It saw Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and Tim Erixon come over to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the rest – as they say – has been history.

Earlier this month, we thought we might see the first of those components traded when rumors were swirling of a Anisimov for David Perron deal. That never materialized. However just a couple of weeks later, we do see Tim Erixon traded to Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Jeremy Morin.

Nov 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save on a shot from Chicago Blackhawks left wing Jeremy Morin (11) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Morin was a 2009 second round selection, he has spent the better part of the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate the Rockford IceHogs, with most of that time being spent with the IceHogs. In 2013-2014, he registered a point per game pace in 47 games with the IceHogs, including 24 goals and 23 assists. He has been a healthy scratch over the last eight games with the Blackhawks, and in the 15 he has appeared in with Chicago this year he has yet to score a point.

Erixon has played in 19 games this season with the Blue Jackets with a goal and four assists in that time. With the additions of Jordan Leopold and Kevin Connauton, along with Fedor Tyutin and Cody Goloubef set to come back from injuries, Erixon became expendable. He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft by the Calgary Flames, then forced a trade to the Rangers. He could never get over the proverbial hump here in Columbus, even with being at times the only healthy member of the blue line.

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A few weeks ago teams were vultures, hovering over Nationwide Arena just waiting for the Columbus Blue Jackets to take their last breath of the 2014-2015 season. Now the Blue Jackets are finding themselves getting healthier than they have been in a month and a half, and making trades that will hopefully bolster their 23rd ranked offense. The resurgence of Sergei Bobrovsky to “BOB” status has helped the Columbus Blue Jackets at times porous defense, become one that has confidence again. If/when Ryan Murray can come back this season, the blue line can become an asset as it was last season.

In the end this move isn’t going to shake up either team, but it could lead to a fresh start for two players whose careers had grown stale on their current teams. Here is to hoping Erixon can find a spot on the blue line in Chicago and play strong against everybody but the Blue Jackets, while Morin becomes a 30 goal scorer in Columbus.