Columbus Blue Jackets get Thomas Vanek at trade deadline

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired winger Thomas Vanek from the Vancouver Canucks minutes before the NHL trade deadline.

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is loading up at the deadline as the  team attempts to make a playoff push.

After acquiring Ian Cole earlier in the day, Kekalainen made a second trade acquiring Thomas Vanek from the Vancouver Canucks for prospect Tyler Motte and Jussi Jokinen, per Bob McKenzie:

This is the third time that Vanek has been traded at the deadline since the 2013-14 season.

Vanek will likely play on one of head coach John Tortorella’s top two lines, giving Columbus another scoring option.

The Austrian sniper has 17 goals and 41 points in 61 games with Vancouver. Vanek will get his share of time on the power play, where he is unafraid to stand in front of the net. For Vanek, the trade allows him another opportunity to prove he can perform in the playoffs. After a disappointing tenure in Montreal, Vanek has been labeled as a player who fails in the postseason.

Vanek is a free agent at the end of the season and expressed interest in returning to Vancouver in the off-season. Vanek’s statement and history of playoff disappointment likely hurt Vancouver General Manager Jim Benning’s ability to get a good return.

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Jokinen cleared waivers earlier Monday and is essentially a throw-in to help balance the salary cap.

Motte has spent the past two seasons bouncing between the AHL and NHL. This season, the 22-year-old Motte has three goals and five points in 31 games with the Blue Jackets. In Vancouver, Motte will likely receive playing time on the bottom two lines for the Canucks.

Jokinen is a free agent at the end of the season. Motte is signed through 2019 and will become a restricted free agent following that season.