Blackhawks trade for Blue Jackets defenseman Tim Erixon

The Chicago Blackhawks prepared for the possibility that they could lose two defensemen to free agency next summer by acquiring Tim Erixon from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jeremy Morin.

Chicago defenseman Johnny Oduya and Michal Rozsival can both become unrestricted free agents this summer, and the Blackhawks might not have the cap space necessary to re-sign them.

Erixon has played 70 NHL games, including 19 this season. He will be a restricted free agent this summer, and his price tag will be less than either Oduya or Rozsival.

After the trade, the Blackhawks returned defenseman Klas Dahlbeck to the American Hockey League.

Morin has been a proven scorer at the AHL level, but he has had a difficult time earning playing time with the offensively gifted Blackhawks' forward group.

"Jeremy is a young, strong forward with a very good shot, who has been a productive offensive player throughout his career," said Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. "Given our depth at defense, this was an opportunity for us to add a very good player with a lot of potential on the other end."

Given the opportunity, Morin has the potential to be a 20-goal scorer at the NHL level. He has been a 30-goal scorer in the AHL had 24 goals in 47 games last season for Rockford.