The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired defenseman Tim Erixon from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Jeremy Morin, the team announced Sunday morning.
On Tuesday, the Blackhawks sent Morin down to the Rockford IceHogs for a conditioning assignment. He was a healthy scratch the past eight games, having not taken the ice since Nov. 20 against the Calgary Flames. According to sources of the Chicago Sun-Times, he requested the Blackhawks trade him if they weren’t going to play him, and he got his wish.
Morin, 23, was held pointless in 15 games with the Blackhawks this season while taking 28 shots and picking up 15 penalty minutes. He had eight goals and eight assists in 54 regular season games across four seasons since 2010 with Chicago.
Erixon, also 23, has six points (1G, 5A), including five power-play points (1G, 4A), in 19 games with the Blue Jackets this season. He also has 14 hits and 13 blocked shots. The former 23rd overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Flames has 13 points (1G, 12A) in 70 career NHL games across four seasons with the New York Rangers and Columbus. He played 18 games with the Rangers in 18 games with the Rangers in 2011-12, and spent most of last season in the AHL after playing 31 games with the Blue Jackets during the 2013 lockout season, posting five assists.
Chicago has been lacking blue-line depth since Trevor van Riemsdyk suffered a knee injury in November. The Blackhawks had turned to rookie Klas Dahlbeck, who was sent to Rockford in a corresponding roster move. Dahlbeck, another 23-year-old, netted his first NHL career goal Thursday after making his NHL debut on Dec. 6 in Nashville. He has six points (2G, 4A) in 22 games with the IceHogs this season.
Erixon is on a one-year, one-way contract worth $600,000 and will wear No. 34. He would have to clear waivers to be assigned to Rockford. Morin is a $800,000 cap hit this year and the next, the trade saves the Blackhwks $200,000 in cap space and a contract year.
The Blackhawks will play against Morin and the Blue Jackets on Saturday in Columbus.
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