HUGE DEAL AT THE DEADLINE FOR THE COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS. Just kidding, but Kyle Quincey comes to Columbus in exchange for Dalton Prout in great short term and long term trade.
The Columbus Blue Jackets made a trade just an hour before the trade deadline to bolster the blue line. 31-year-old Kyle Quincey was shipped to the Capital City from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Dalton Prout.
Quincey is a veteran defenseman that plays an old school style of play. His solid defensive play will be invaluable to adding depth and experience as the Blue Jackets prepare for the playoffs.
Quincey stands at 6’2″ 220 pounds and has played 548 games in the NHL. He also adds playoff experience, something that is lacking on this team. Quincey has played in 58 career playoff games thus far, mostly with the Detroit Red Wings.
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Quincey is an immediate talent upgrade from Dalton Prout, no doubt. But he also brings playoff experience and some more senior leadership into the locker room. The Jackets are hoping that along with his solid play, Quincey’s intangibles will help in the playoffs.
Long Term Impact
Beyond the short term upgrade in talent on the blue line, the trade will have a long term impact as well. First, Dalton Prout was no longer going to contribute to the team. He had lost his confidence on the ice and it showed in his poor play this year.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Prout will get a fresh start in New Jersey and the Jackets will free up some cap room next year. Quincey has a $1.25 million cap hit, according to CapFriendly.com, compared to Prout’s $1.5 million. Prout was also signed for two more years as compared to Quincey being an unrestricted free agent following this year.
If Quincey is not resigned, it opens up another $1.5 million in cap space that the Jackets will need as they will have to give out a nice contract to Alexander Wennberg.
This is a savvy move for a player that had no future in the organization. Prout had been a healthy scratch for much of the year.
Not a sexy, huge move from the Columbus Blue Jackets, but a nice addition. The Jackets make a smart deal to upgrade the blue line and get this squad ready for the playoffs. Welcome to Columbus Kyle Quincey!