The Columbus Blue Jackets have traded defenseman Rostislav Klesla to the Phoenix Coyotes for Scottie Upshall and Sami Lepisto.
Klesla, hampered by injuries the past two seasons, was the expansion club’s first-round pick (fourth overall) in the 2000 player draft. He was the last remaining member of the expansion Blue Jackets organization. The 28-year-old had three goals and seven assists in 45 games this year, with a plus-10 rating.
He has three years remaining on a contract that pays him almost $3 million a year, through the 2013-14 season.
Upshall, 27, was the number six pick in the 2002 draft. He had 16 goals and 11 assists this season and 80 goals and 85 assists in 340 career games with Nashville, Philadelphia and Phoenix. The Blue Jackets, badly in need of players with an edge, coveted a player who was tough in addition to having offensive skills.
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