The deal: The Columbus Blue Jackets sent James Wisniewski and a third-round 2015 pick (from Detroit) to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for William Karlsson, Rene Bourque and a 2015 second-round pick.
The money:
Wisniewski: Signed through 2016–17, with a cap hit of $5.5M.
Karlsson: Signed through 2015–6, with a cap hit of $925,000.
What the Ducks are thinking: In Wisniewski, Anaheim picks up a veteran blueliner with a big shot. The 31-year-old will bolster a solid D-corps in Anaheim. And the Ducks know what they’re getting: Wisniewski played more than 80 games for Anaheim between the 2008–09 and 2009–10 campaigns.
What the Blue Jackets are thinking: Columbus is obviously building for the future, and between a second-round pick this June and young Swede William Karlsson, who’s 22 and in his first NHL season, they’ve made a step in that direction.
Who wins this deal right now: Anaheim ranks 21st in the league when it comes to converting with the extra man. The boomer Wisniewski provides from the blueline will certainly help. And he’s scored a career-high eight goals so far this season.
Who wins this deal later: Columbus, probably. It’s a deep draft class, and Karlsson could be a good piece for the future.
Overall: Wisniewski wins this one. He’s headed to a Cup contender, his wife is from California, and he’ll be reunited with some former teammates. But he’ll probably miss the Goal Canon at Nationwide Arena.
