Indeed, the Ottawa Senators have traded Ryan Dzingel to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Anthony Duclair and two second-round picks. Dzingel was fourth on the team in points, behind Mark Stone, now-Jackets teammate Matt Duchene and defenseman Thomas Chabot.
The 26-year-old is on the last year of his contract, one goal away from his career-high of 23 attained last year, and already with his highest points total (44 in 57 games), with some 20 games left to add to those totals.
His points production has increased steadily in his four NHL seasons, from 9 to 32 to 41 to 44 (and counting), which means a conservative estimate is that he'll double his current $1.8M cap hit and possibly even triple it a GM feels desperate enough to want him to jump to first-unit powerplay duties (hello, Stan Bowman of the Chicago Blackhawks).
He's clearly in his prime, so the key for his next deal will be to not sign him for more than five years at a high salary, because it could be a steep downfall after the age of 32. He should be good for 45-55 points for the next four years with a high of 58-65, though.
I personally really enjoyed watching the Illinois native play with the Sens, but with the Jackets, he goes back to the State where he played College Hockey with the Ohio State University Buckeyes. He may be tempted to re-sign in Columbus at a hometown discount because he knows what to expect and likes it there.
He signed this card for me in blue sharpie last year:
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