According to TSN and Darren Dreger, Marian Gaborik has waived his no-trade clause to join the Columbus Blue Jackets. Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, and John Moore and a sixth round pick will be headed to New York.
Gaborik joins a locker room that has a number of familiar faces, including former Ranger teammates Vinny Prospal, Artem Anisimov, and Brandon Dubinsky.
He should fit in well on the top line next to Ryan Johansen and opposite a player like R.J. Umberger. Johansen should be able to dish the puck and Umberger can clear some space and create havoc in front of the net.
Some may seen this deal as the Blue Jackets becoming top heavy less than a full season after trading Rick Nash, but the Jackets needed both star power and a sniper, and Gaborik brings both to the table.
He’s signed for one more year and a $7.5 million cap hit. Gaborik is 31 years old.
Update: Andrew Gross reports the Jackets will also pick up a couple D prospects in the trade. Steve Delise, who was originally traded along with Rick Nash last summer, and Blake Parlett will be joining the Columbus depth chart.