This is part one of a two-part series looking back at two blockbuster trades between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers during the 2012-2013 season. Part two is about the trade that brought Marian Gaborik to Columbus and the follow-up transactions, and also presents an overall balance of both exchanges.
The Trade
On July 23rd 2012, Columbus Blue Jackets traded Rick Nash, Steven Delisle and a 2013 3rd-round draft pick (Pavel Buchnevich) for Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a 2013 1st-rounder pick (Kerby Rychel).
NHL contracts involved (at the time of the trade)
Rick Nash, 6 (of 8) years remaining at $7.8 million cap hit; Brandon Dubinsky, 3 (of 4) years remaining at $4.2 million cap hit; Artem Anisimov, 1 (of 2) years remaining at $1.875 million; Tim Erixon 2 (of 3) years remaining at $900,000 (two-way, entry-level)
Looking back on Columbus
Rick Nash had been the face of the franchise for years but in 2012, not only his production was lower, but he seemed aching to move, as the Jackets were bound to rebuild after being last in the NHL after a disastrous season worsened by the terrible outcome of trading for Jeff Carter. However, their management took a lot of heat when Nash was traded in the offseason to New York. Neither Brandon Dubinsky, who came out of his worst season as a full-time NHLer, nor Artem Anisimov, a complete but inconsistent player, seemed apt to fill the gap up front, while young blueliner Tim Erixon was for the time being added depth. As if to confirm this judgment, during the strike shortened season in 2013, the Jackets’ three new players combined for just one point more than Nash in New York (45 to 44) and were injured for significant bouts of time each.
Anisimov was re-signed in the 2013 off-season to a three-year contract with an increased salary. He remained healthy and reasonably productive with his usual level of about half a point per game, both in the regular season and in the playoffs, playing at second or third line.
Erixon hardly played in the NHL in 2013-2014, but is signed this season to a one-way contract and is back playing mainly as a third-pairing defenseman.
Dubinsky was a main contributor to Columbus’ accession to the playoffs, as he put together an almost complete season, playing important minutes as a two-way center, becoming a leader of the team, and added 50 points. In the postseason, not only did he make life miserable for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but he also had a point-per-game production. He has been signed to a substantive contract extension from 2015 until 2020. However, currently he is again injured and yet to play this season.
With the first-rounder in 2013, Columbus took budding power forward Kerby Rychel, who played in the OHL in 2013-2014, putting up impressive point totals (and significant penalty minutes) both in the regular season and the playoffs. This season, he was one of the last cuts of the Jackets’ training camp and was sent to the AHL.
Looking back on New York
During the shortened regular season of 2013, the Rangers had the expected offensive input by Nash, who came close to a point per game. But he was far removed from being a decisive factor for a cup run in the postseason, as he put up one goal and four assists in twelve games. Things became even worse in 2013-2014: first, Nash was injured for 17 games, then he produced 0.6 points-per-game – 26 goals and 13 assists – while playing less minutes during the regular season, before only putting up 3 goals and 7 assists in 25 playoff games. But if the start of this season is any indication (currently 8 goals in 7 games at the time of writing), having his name tossed out in compliance buyout speculations has lit a fire under Nash.
Very big and young defenseman Steven Delisle did not raise much expectations and was sent back to Columbus in the Marian Gaborik trade, playing in the AHL before leaving the Jackets’ organization in the offseason 2013.
The Rangers used the third-round pick on Russian offensive talent Pavel Buchnevich, who has yet to play in North America. In his first season in the KHL, he has started on a promising two-third point-per-game pace.
The winner so far: Columbus
After two seasons and counting, Dubinsky but also Anisimov have contributed to Columbus being in the run for the playoffs, unsuccessfully in 2013, successfully last season. To play in the post-season after long years of frustration was the foremost goal the Jackets had and instead of frustrated superstars, they got competent contributors to it. Reversely, no matter how impressive Nash is in the regular season and how much he contributes defensively, he has not shown that he can be decisive in the playoffs, as was expected in New York when he arrived.
Projected winner in the longer run: Columbus
Regarding mileage of the two main players, while Nash is the oldest of the players exchanged, Dubinsky appears more prone to injury as a result of his style of play. The Jackets give Erixon the chance to become an NHL regular and still have two more years of Anisimov before deciding whether they extend him. As for the prospects, Rychel looks certain to make the NHL once he has gained consistency, and might become the successor to Scott Hartnell as power forward over long. The Rangers’ Buchnevich is probably more talented but the typical question for a Russian player is whether he will successfully translate his skills to North America? With all this in mind, Columbus’ assets look more reliable, and the trade much better for the Jackets than it seemed to most at the time it was made. However, to them, another blockbuster trade in the 2012-2013 season with the Rangers has so far not have had such a lucky outcome, as shown in part two (still to come).
Written by Niels Lachmann
Rick Nash
Steven Delisle
Pavel Buchnevich
Brandon Dubinsky
Artem Anisimov
Tim Erixon
Kerby Rychel
