The Columbus Blue Jackets have finally made a trade. It isn't the big trade that has dominated the deadline headlines, and thus doesn't contain Rick Nash, but it's a trade nonetheless. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN on Twitter, the Blue Jackets have traded forward Antoine Vermette to the Phoenix Coyotes. The second tweet suggested that a couple picks be included, and the TSN website verifies this:
The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded veteran forward Antoine Vermette to the Phoenix Coyotes for a second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (via Ottawa), a conditional fifth round selection in the 2013 Draft and minor-league goaltender Curtis McElhinney.
At first glance, it seems like the Blue Jackets got the better end of that deal. A second-round pick alone seems a little much, with the other considerations being a bonus. That isn't to say that Vermette is useless or anything like that - he's a solid veteran with eight seasons of experience in the NHL. He spent time with the Ottawa Senators and has a wealth of playoff experience.
He's got three seasons following this one left on his contract. At 29 years-old, he's still got some potential to contribute, and could be solid for the Coyotes, given the fact that they're on the cusp of seriously competing. Vermette was mentioned being on the trade block some time ago.
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