The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired defenseman Damon Severson in a sign-and-trade deal with the New Jersey Devils on Friday.

Severson signed an eight-year contract before the trade, which will return a 2023 third-round draft pick to the Devils. Sportsnet reported the contract has an average annual value of $6.25 million.

The 28-year-old Severson would have been one of the top players available in free agency, which opens July 1. A second-round pick by the Devils in 2012, Severson has played in 647 games with New Jersey, recording 263 points (58 goals, 205 assists) and 388 penalty minutes.

In the 2022-23 season, he had seven goals and 26 assists in 81 games.

“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,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “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.”

This is the Blue Jackets’ second deal for a defenseman this week. They acquired Ivan Provorov from the Philadelphia Flyers in a three-way trade.

The Devils now have six picks in the June 28 draft — one in every round but the first.

In the 2022-23 season, the Blue Jackets finished last in the Eastern Conference with a 25-48-9 (59 points) record.

–Field Level Media