By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis
The Boston Bruins have acquired defenseman Andrew Peeke from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Jakub Zboril and a 2027 third-round pick. Peeke is in the first season of a three-year deal worth $8,250,000 with an average annual value of $2,750,000. Darren Dreger of TSN first reported the trade.
The 25-year-old defenseman has spent all five NHL seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, posting ten goals, 32 assists, and 42 points. The 6’3″, 214-pound Peeke was taken 34th overall by Columbus in the 2016 NHL Draft. Peeke profiles as a sizable, defense-first defenseman who blocks shots and throws hits. According to Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub, of 325 skaters that have played at least 3,000 minutes over the last three seasons, Peeke ranks sixth in blocks per 60 (6.03) and 35th in hits per 60 (6.43). This move addresses Boston’s need for depth on the back end and adds grit and sandpaper to a team that sorely needed it.
Zboril was drafted 13th overall by the Bruins in the infamous 2015 NHL Draft and never quite found his footing during his tenure in Boston. The Czech defenseman only played 76 at the NHL level, registering one goal and 16 points. He spent most of his tenure with the Providence Bruins and made several trips through the waiver wire this season before eventually being traded. The deal allows Zboril to get a fresh start with a new team and attempt to re-establish himself as an NHL defenseman.
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