The Blue Jackets Won the Wisniewski Trade
By Frank Walker
During the 2015 NHL trade deadline there was some talk surrounding the Blue Jackets. The two names on everyone’s lips were James Wisniewski and Cam Atkinson. During the day, news broke that Atkinson had signed a multi-year deal to keep him in Columbus. The thought of Wisniewski being traded caused a lot of angst among Jacket fans. All seemed right with the world for these fans as the trade deadline came and went without a deal. Then nearly a half hour after the “deadline” the news broke. A trade that sent Wisniewski from the CBJ to the Anaheim Ducks.
It was a deal that seemed to work out for everyone on first glance. The Blue Jackets were not going to the playoffs and were able to gain twenty-two draft slots in the exchange of picks, a young prospect, roughly $1.34 million in cap space for 2015-16 and $4.67 million in space for 2016-17. The Ducks gained a depth defenseman for their run to the Stanley Cup.
Three months removed from the deal it is hard to look at it and not think the Blue Jackets made off like bandits. All of this could change if the Wiz comes back next season and lights the world on fire but think of it this way. At $5.5 million Wisniewski is the Ducks third highest paid player and highest paid defenseman, if he would have remained in Columbus his ranks would be nearly identical. The Ducks decided that throughout the playoffs they were a better team without him on the ice.
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Many people are concerned that going into next season the Blue Jackets are weak at the blueline and these concerns have merit. But the lesson that the Jackets west coast trade partner has taught them is that with a shot at the cup on the line they didn’t dress Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets don’t need warm bodies to play defense. They need upgraded players who are either capable of or who can develop into the type of players you need to win a cup.
Between the cap space, the move up in a deep draft, and the potential of a young William Karlsson on their side of the ledger, I think it’s safe to say the Blue Jackets won this trade.