Wisniewski traded to Ducks by Blue Jackets

Defenseman James Wisniewski was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, with the Columbus Blue Jackets receiving veteran forward Rene Bourque and forward prospect William Karlsson, and a second-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

It will be Wisniewski's second stint with the Ducks; he had four goals and 41 points in 86 games during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

"[The Ducks] have a chance to win the Stanley Cup, not only this year but for years to come," Wisniewski told Sportsnet. "I know some guys on that team. My wife is from California. I played there for a year and a half so I know the area. I know [general manager] Bob Murray. I'm familiar about being there. I'm just really excited to go to a team that's going to be contending to win the Stanley Cup."

The Ducks also get a third-round pick in the 2015 draft.

Wisniewski, 31, has a career-best eight goals and 29 points in 56 games this season. He had a career-best 51 points in 75 games with the Blue Jackets last season.

"My time here [in Columbus] was fantastic," Wisniewski said. "Both my kids were born here in Columbus. We stayed here all year long for the past four years and I have nothing but good things to say about the team and the organization … the guys in the dressing room have been unbelievable. We were just snake-bitten with injuries."

In 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Ducks, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens and Blue Jackets, Wisniewski has 53 goals and 269 points in 538 games.

"We have some really good young defensemen that are emerging into similar roles that James Wisniewski filled with our team," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "James Wisniewski was a very good player. He gets 50 points every year. He's very good on the power play and a big part of our team."

Karlsson, 22, made his NHL debut this season; in 18 games he has two goals and one assist. Taken in the second round (No. 53) of the 2011 NHL Draft, he has seven goals and 21 points in 34 games with the the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.

"We've got a great prospect in William Karlsson. He gives us depth at center," Kekalainen said. "He’s already played in the NHL some and has been very good in the American League and very good in the Swedish Elite League the year before. He’s a smart two-way player."

Bourque, 33, has two goals and 10 points in 43 games with the Ducks and Montreal Canadiens. The Ducks acquired Bourque on Nov. 20 from the Canadiens for defenseman Bryan Allen.

"We’re well set for the draft, which is one of the best in recent history," Kekalainen said. "We’ve got a first, we’ve got three seconds and two thirds in the first three rounds. Our scouts are telling us, and I agree from what I’ve seen, that it’s a three-deep draft year."

The Ducks also acquired minor-league forward Michael Sgarbossa from the Colorado Avalanche for minor-league defenseman Mat Clark.