

COLUMBUS, OHIO --- The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired right wing David Clarkson from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for right wing Nathan Horton, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.

Clarkson, 30, has registered 112 goals and 84 assists for 196 points with 955 penalty minutes in 544 career NHL games with the Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils, while adding 5-9-14 and 79 penalty minutes in 44 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. He has collected 10-5-15 and 92 penalty minutes in 58 games this season.

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“David Clarkson has been a 30-goal scorer in the NHL who will bring added character and leadership to our group and we believe he will be a valuable contributor to our team,” said Kekalainen. “While we are excited to welcome David to the Blue Jackets, it is also difficult that Nathan’s time here has ended prematurely due to his injury situation. He is a tremendous person and we wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

Clarkson played six-plus seasons with the Devils after signing as a free agent in August 2005. He has notched 10 or more goals six times in his eight full NHL seasons, including a career-high 30-16-46 in 80 games in 2011-12. That season, he tallied 3-9-12 in 24 playoff games and helped the Devils advance to the Stanley Cup Final. He racked up 97-73-170 and 770 penalty minutes in 426 games with New Jersey before joining the Maple Leafs prior to the 2013-14 season.

The Toronto, Ontario native played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, registering 74-56-130 and 485 penalty minutes in 185 career games with the Belleville Bulls and Kitchener Rangers from 2001-05. In his final OHL season, he tallied 33-21-54 and 145 penalty minutes in 51 games with the Rangers.

Horton, 29, joined the Blue Jackets in July 2013 and tallied 5-14-19 and 24 penalty minutes in 36 games with the club a year ago. He has missed this season due to a back injury and is on the club’s injured-non roster list. He has appeared in 627 career NHL games and registered 203-218-421 and 567 penalty minutes with the Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers.