Busy Day in Ohio
2018-02-20The Blue Jackets sit just 3 points back of the final playoff spot in the East but that didn't stop GM Andrew Payeur from wheeling and dealing Tuesday. After extensive negotiations, the Blue Jackets and Rangers agreed to a trade over All-Star weekend, finalizing the dealing early Tuesday morning once the league imposed trade freeze was lifted. The deal will send young defenceman Brady Skjei to New York, along with Magnus Paajarvi and AHL player Henrik Samualesson in exchange for Danton Heinen and Zybnek Michalek. Heinen is expected to report to the Greenville Road Warriors but Payeur expects big things from the young forward in 2019 and onward. In an odd twist, Skjei returns to the Rangers just four months after he was traded to Columbus for Josh Morrissey. Payeur is hoping Michalek can fill in for Skjei on the team's third defence pairing with Ben Lovejoy and provide veteran leadership and stability for the rest of the team's playoff push.
Just hours later, the addition of Danton Heinen allowed Payeur to use his forward depth to make another deal with the Boston Bruins. The trade sent Ryan Spooner to Boston along with struggling goaltender Craig Anderson and a pick in exchange for Jake Allen, Blake Comeau and a pick. The trade was a win-win for both teams as the Bruins hope that Anderson can regain his form and lead them on a deep playoff run while the Blue Jackets acquire a younger option in net that can grow with their young core. Payeur had a breif phone conversation with Allen after the trade and gushed about acquiring a goaltender who had the potential to lead the team to a Stanley Cup some day. Payeur was quoted as saying "I have always had my eye on you, I think you could become the best goaltender in the league and I'm happy to be bringing you to Ohio......NOT". Payeur then reached through the phone, gave Allen a tittty twister and punted him across the country to Colorado.
The Avalanche were immediately on the phone with Columbus after the trade to enquire about Allen. Payeur who had long admired Lehner since his days with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, was eager to pounce at the trade but he kep his cool and after some negotiations, the Avalanche added prospect Will Borgen to the deal. Payeur is excited to add the defence prospect who is currently playing for the US National team in the Olympic tournament. Lehner adds a fiery competitor and RFA controlled goaltender who has done nothing but win in his time in the EHE, sporting a 79-31-10 career record.
Payeur believes today's trades will allow the team to continue its push for the playoffs in the ultra competitive Metropolitan division, while allowing the team to continue to build a championship caliber roster for the coming seasons.
Overall Breakdown:
Arrivals: | Departures: |
Danton Heinen | Brady Skjei |
Zybnek Michalek | Craig Anderson |
Blake Comeau | Ryan Spooner |
Robin Lehner | Henrik Samuelsson |
Will Borgen | Magnus Paajarvi |
2019 2nd round pick (BOS) | 2019 4th round pick (CBJ) |
2018 4th round pick (CBJ)* |