Breaking News: The Boston Bruins trade their top veteran ace to the Blue Jackets in return for a third-round choice in the 2027 NHL Draft. However…

Blue Jackets acquire Jakub Zboril, third round pick in 2027 NHL Draft from Boston Bruins in exchange for Andrew Peeke

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired defenseman Jakub Zboril (pronounced YAH-kuhb zih-BOHR-ihl) and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft from the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Andrew Peeke, the club announced today.  Zboril has been assigned to the Cleveland Monsters, the team’s American Hockey League affiliate.

Zboril, 27, has registered one goal and 15 assists for 16 points with 28 penalty minutes in 76 career NHL games with Boston between 2018-23.  He appeared in a career-high 42 outings with the club in 2020-21, collecting 0-9-9 and 18 penalty minutes.  His last NHL action came during the 2022-23 campaign when he picked up 1-3-4 and six penalty minutes in 22 contests.

Selected by the Bruins in the first round, 13^th overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft, he has registered 11-55-66 with 141 penalty minutes and a cumulative +30 plus/minus rating in 213 career games with the AHL’s Providence Bruins.  He has collected 0-9-9 and 19 penalty minutes in 31 games this season.  The 6-1, 199-pound native of Brno, Czechia has represented his country in several international tournaments, including the 2016 and 2017 IIHF World Junior

Championships and 2023 IIHF World Championships.  He also played three seasons with the Sain John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, registering 28-66-94 and 174 penalty minutes in 144 outings from 2014-17.

Peeke, 25, registered 10-32-42 and 96 penalty minutes in 218 career games with the Blue Jackets after making his NHL debut during the 2019-20 season.  He set career highs in assists, points, penalty minutes and games played in 2021-22 when he notched 2-13-15 and 60 penalty minutes in 82 games.  He has collected 1-7-8 and six penalty minutes in 23 outings this season.  Selected by Columbus in the second round, 34^th overall, at the 2016 NHL Draft, the Parkland, Florida native played three seasons at the University of Notre Dame from 2016-19.

The Blue Jackets return to action on Saturday when they host the Nashville Predators.  Game time from Nationwide Arena is 12:30 p.m. ET.  Live coverage on Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports + and the Bally Sports app begins at 12 p.m. ET.  The game will also be heard on the Blue Jackets Radio Network, including 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and online at BlueJackets.com.