CS-CBJ-WerenskiNorris On June 9, 2023, the Columbus Blue Jackets made a significant move to bolster their blue line, acquiring defenseman Damon Severson from the New Jersey Devils. In exchange, the Devils received a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. This deal further reinforcing their new look back end as just three days earlier, the Blue Jackets had acquired Ivan Provorov from the Philadelphia Flyers in a three-team trade. Severson, 30, is known for his ability to contribute at both ends of the ice. In his final season with the Devils, he posted 33 points (7 goals, 26 assists) in 81 games. His impact carried over to his first season with the Blue Jackets, where he recorded 28 points (9 goals, 19 assists) in just 62 games. For the Devils, the trade created valuable cap space while adding draft capital. They would go on to package the 2023 third round pick with Yegor Sharangovich in a trade with Calgary for Tyler Toffoli. The Flames used that pick to select Aydar Suniev. In hindsight, both teams benefited from the trade, but many would argue Columbus came out ahead, adding a proven top-four defenseman in Severson to solidify their blue line for years to come.
