The Anaheim Ducks have acquired puck-moving defenseman James Wisniewski from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Rene Bourque, William Karlsson and a second-round pick in 2015.
"Hopefully we're capable now to compete against most of the teams in our conference," general manager Bob Murray said despite his team holding a 12-point edge atop the Pacific Division.
Wisniewski, 31, has two years left on his contract after this season and carries a $5.5 million cap hit, although his salary is $5 million and $3 million over the next two seasons.
"[Because of] the long-term plans for our defense," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "We have some really good defensemen emerging into a similar role that James filled with our team."
The Ducks are in first place in the Pacific Division and had been looking to bolster their blue line for the stretch run.
"It's a dream come true for anybody that's never won a Stanley Cup ... to be able to go to a legit, top-contending team, a team that has very high hopes of winning the Cup, and anything less is unacceptable," Wisniewski said.
Wisniewski, who is recovering from a bone bruise and hopes to play next week, also took to Twitter to thank the Blue Jackets and express his excitement to join the Ducks.
I would like to thank the @BlueJacketsNHL organization and all #thefans for everything the past 4 years. Great city and great people.
— James Wisniewski (@jameswisniewski) March 2, 2015
Very excited for my family and I to join the @AnaheimDucks. Looking forward to getting to Anaheim and on the ice with some great teammates.
— James Wisniewski (@jameswisniewski) March 2, 2015
The Ducks also added Maple Leafs defenseman Korbinian Holzer, sending defenseman Eric Brewer and a fifth-round pick to Toronto.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
