Columbus Blue Jackets acquire Damon Severson from New Jersey Devils

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired defenseman Damon Severson from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a third-round pick, 80th overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft, club general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. The deal was consummated after Severson signed an eight-year, $50 million contract through the 2030-31 National Hockey League season with New Jersey.

Severson (pronounced SEE-vuhr-suhn) has recorded 58 goals and 205 assists for 263 points with 388 penalty minutes in 647 career appearances with the Devils since making his NHL debut in 2014-15. He has also scored seven game-winning goals and tallied 12-63-75 on the power play, while averaging 21:11 of ice time during his nine NHL campaigns. The 28-year-old registered 7-26-33 with 38 penalty minutes, two game-winning goals, 115 blocked shots, 102 shots on goal and a +9 plus/minus rating on 19:57 of ice time in 81 appearances in 2022-23.

"Damon is a versatile defenseman who has great vision, moves the puck extremely well, has good size and can play heavy minutes at both ends of the ice," said Kekalainen. "We are excited to have him join the Blue Jackets as he will be a very important part of our blueline for many years to come."

The Melville, Saskatchewan native was selected by New Jersey in the second round, 60th overall, at the 2012 NHL Draft. He has collected 30 or more points five times in his career and twice notched 11 or more goals. He led New Jersey defensemen and set career highs in goals (tied), assists, points, power play goals and time on ice in 2021-22 after finishing with 11-35-46, 57 penalty minutes and five power play goals, while averaging 23:36 TOI in 80 contests. Severson played in every one of his team's games in three-straight seasons from 2018-21 and has played 80 or more contests four times in his career, including 2018-19 when he racked up 11-28-39 and 58 PIM in 82 contests.

The 6-2, 205-pound defenseman has represented Canada at several international tournaments. He helped the country win silver medals at the 2019 and 2022 IIHF World Championships, as well as a bronze medal at the 2012 IIHF U18 World Championships.

Severson played four-plus seasons with the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets, collecting 36-131-167 with 270 PIM and a cumulative +102 plus/minus rating in 260 contests from 2009-14. He was named to the WHL West Second All-Star Team in his final campaign in 2013-14 when he tallied 15-46-61 and 63 PIM in 64 regular season games and 4-14-18 in 14 playoff appearances.