Blue Jackets trade Clarkson, pair of draft picks to Golden Knights

The Columbus Blue Jackets anted up for some expansion draft protection and salary cap relief.

The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Columbus’ 2017 first-round draft pick (24th overall), Columbus’ 2019 second-round draft pick, and forward David Clarkson as part of Wednesday's selection process.

Vegas then flipped the 24th overall pick to Winnipeg for the Jets' first-round pick at the 2017 NHL Draft (13th overall) and third-round pick in 2019.

Vegas concurrently selected forward William Karlsson, who had been exposed by the Blue Jackets.

Columbus received some salary cap relief in the deal, and avoided losing the likes of Josh Anderson, Matt Calvert, Joonas Korpisalo, Jack Johnson, or David Savard in the expansion draft.

Clarkson, who missed all of 2016-17 due to injury and isn't expected to resume his career, remains under contract for three more seasons with a cap hit of $5.25 million.