Eyeing the post-season, Blue Jackets boost roster on deadline day, add Gaborik, others

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Blue Jackets have rarely been in a playoff race since they entered the league in 2000.

So, in this season of surprise for Columbus, they surely wanted to take advantage of their position in the Western Conference.

And so they did just that.

Three-time NHL All-Star Marian Gaborik was the marquee player among four deals Wednesday as improved Blue Jackets treated the trade deadline day as an opportunity to gear up for the post-season.

Gaborik and minor league defencemen Steven Delisle and Blake Partlett were acquired from the New York Rangers for centre Derick Brassard, right wing Derek Dorsett, defenceman John Moore and a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft.

Entering play Wednesday night, Columbus was 11th overall in the West, but just one point out of the eighth and final playoff berth. The Blue Jackets have made the post-season just once in their history.