The deal: The Columbus Blue Jackets sent veteran defenceman Jordan Leopold to Minnesota in exchange for blueliner Justin Falk and a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft.
The money:
Leopold: Signed through 2014-15, with a cap hit of $2.25M.
Falk: Signed through 2014-15, with a cap hit of $700,000.
What Columbus is thinking: The Blue Jackets aren’t in the playoff picture, so shipping 34-year-old Leopold to Minnesota in exchange for a pick in 2016 makes sense for the future. Maybe they’ll get a sleeper. Or something. Leopold played just 18 games since the Jackets picked him up in November. Falk played 16 games with the Wild this season, and had no points and a minus-six rating.
What Minnesota is thinking: They’re bringing an NHL veteran home. Leopold grew up in Minnesota and played for his hometown University of Minnesota, where he won the Hobey Baker award as the top college player in 2001–02. Maybe he’ll get to finish his career where he started it. And maybe he’ll add to his 71 career Stanley Cup playoff games if the Wild hold onto a playoff spot. And, finally, if you believe the letter supposedly written by Leopold’s daughter, Jordyn, her dad “is very lonly [sic] without his family,” because they’ve been living in Minnesota while he’s been playing in Columbus. She begged for the trade to happen.
Who wins this deal right now: Nobody, really. Or maybe Leopold, if the Wild get into the playoffs.
Who wins this deal later: The Blue Jackets, with the draft pick.
Overall: Leopold wins, because he’s going home.