Sports

Blue Jackets acquire center Matt Duchene from Ottawa

22 of February 2019

Ottawa Senators center Matt Duchene (95) is defended by Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews (19), Duncan Keith (2) and goaltender Cam Ward (30) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, in Chicago. The Blackhawks won 8-7. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes),Ottawa Senators center Matt Duchene (95) is defended by Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews (19), Duncan Keith (2) and goaltender Cam Ward (30) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, in Chicago. The Blackhawks won 8-7. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes)

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired center Matt Duchene from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for two top prospects.

The 28-year-old Duchene, one of the top players available ahead of Monday’s NHL trade deadline, was dealt Friday for forwards Vitaly Abramov and Jonathan Davidsson. Columbus also got minor league defenseman Julius Bergman.

Columbus will send an additional draft pick to Ottawa if it is able to sign Duchene to a contract extension. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Duchene is the second-leading scorer on the Senators with 58 points (27 goals, 21 assists) and he gives the Blue Jackets another badly needed center as they make a playoff push.

The two teams play in Ottawa on Friday night.

___

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports