NHL Draft 2015: Carolina Hurricanes acquire defenseman Wisniewski for goalie Khudobin

National Hockey League, NHL.com

SUNRISE, FLA. – While continuing to stockpile picks at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes continued to work trade deals at BB&T Center on Saturday.

After acquiring goaltender Eddie Lack from the Vancouver Canucks, executive vice president and general manager Ron Francis acquired defenseman James Wisniewski from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goaltender Anton Khudobin.

“James is a veteran defenseman who has proven his ability to produce offensively,” Francis said.

“He has a big, right-handed shot, and he will be an important part of our blueline and power play moving forward.”

Wisniewski, 31, completed his 10th NHL season in 2014-15, totaling eight goals and 26 assists (34 points) in 69 games with Columbus and Anaheim.

The Canton, Mich., native ranked tied for third among NHL defensemen in power-play goals (7).

He played 56 games for the Blue Jackets before being acquired by Anaheim at the trade deadline in exchange for Rene Bourque, William Karlsson and a second-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Wisniewski (5’11”, 205 lbs.) was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

He has appeared in 551 career NHL regular-season games with Chicago, Anaheim, New York Islanders, Montreal, and Columbus totaling 53 goals and 221 assists (274 points) and 459 penalty minutes.

Wisniewski is a product of the Detroit Compuware youth hockey program, and played for the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Plymouth Whalers under current Hurricanes assistant general manager and director of hockey operations Mike Vellucci.

He also played briefly for Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters with the American Hockey League’s Rockford Ice Hogs during the 2008-09 season.