The Ottawa Senators have traded Ian Cole to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Nick Moutrey and a 2020 third-round draft pick. Ottawa flips Cole after acquiring him in the Derick Brassard trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Cole, fighting for ice-time in Pittsburgh, requested a trade earlier in the year.
#CBJ acquire D Ian Cole from #Sens for a third-round pick and minor-league F Nick Moutrey. #tradeswhenyouredriving
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 26, 2018
Ian Cole Traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets
The Penguins, in trading Cole, knew that they weren’t going to sign him when the season is over due to him being a free agent. He has a salary of $2.1 million this season, but it would likely double when he hits free agency in July and the Penguins weren’t going to give him that kind of money. They felt that getting something in return for him was the best move for the team moving forward rather than letting him leave for nothing, and moved him to Ottawa to fill their centre need. Meanwhile, the Senators never had any plans for Cole other than to ship him to a third team as they continue their rebuild.
Cole has three goals and 13 points in 47 games played with the Penguins this season. His possession numbers are 50.6 percent Corsi, and -1.7 Corsi relative.
Cole’s Time in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh originally acquired Cole from the Blues for Robert Bortuzzo and the trade worked out perfectly. He quickly became one of their best penalty killers and was great in a bottom pairing and middle pairing role as he formed a strong pairing with Justin Schultz. His best season points wise came last season as he had five goals and 26 points. He also had a massive goal in game four of the Stanley Cup Final against the Sharks to open the scoring:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyuwn68TP48
In the playoffs last year, Cole had nine assists in 25 playoff games but didn’t score. So far this year, Cole only has one goal and 3 points for Pittsburgh in 20 games played with a 52.7 CF%.
In Cole, the Jackets are getting a reliable defensive defenseman who won’t score that much offensively but can play big-time penalty kill minutes. He’ll be able to help them as they go through the rest of this season and potentially into the playoffs.
Moutrey
Nick Moutrey, 22, was drafted by Columbus in the 4th round, 105th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft. He has three goals and six points in 22 games with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL this season.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
