Jiri Tlusty Traded To Winnipeg Jets For 3rd-, Conditional 6th-Round Picks

The Carolina Hurricanes 2015 trade deadline sell-off truly got underway Wednesday when Carolina dealt long-time winger and pending unrestricted free agent Jiri Tlusty to the Winnipeg Jets for a third-round pick in 2016 and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2015. The sixth-round pick becomes a fifth-round pick if the Jets reach the postseason. Sportnet’s Chris Johsnon tweeted that the Hurricanes did not retain any salary.

This is the second trade this season between Hurricanes GM Ron Francis and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff: the duo struck up a deal on Dec. 18 that sent defenseman Jay Harrison to the Jets for a sixth-round pick (originally Ottawa’s pick) in 2015.

Tlusty, the 13th overall pick in 2006, was acquired from Toronto on Dec. 3, 2009, in exchange for 2008 first-round pick Philippe Paradis. While Paradis has bounced around the minor leagues, yet to play an NHL game, Tlusty evolved into a solid two-way performer. His best season with the Hurricanes was in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season when he scored 23 goals in 48 games, ranking tied for fifth in the NHL. Tlusty had 13 goals and 10 assists in 52 games with Carolina this season, and his six power play goals were tied with captain Eric Staal for the team lead.

Tlusty’s 76 goals rank 12th in Hurricanes history, and his 145 points were good for 19th since the franchise moved to North Carolina.

Here is the release from the Hurricanes:

‘CANES ACQUIRE TWO DRAFT PICKS FOR TLUSTY
Carolina receives 2016 third-round pick, 2015 conditional pick for winger

RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the Hurricanes have acquired a third-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft and either a fifth- or sixth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Jiri Tlusty.

"We appreciate everything that Jiri did for our team and our community during his time in Carolina, and wish him the best in Winnipeg," said Francis.

The conditional 2015 draft pick will be in the fifth round if Winnipeg qualifies for the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs or the sixth round if they do not.

Tlutsy, 26, spent parts of six seasons with Carolina, totaling 76 goals and 69 assists (145 points) in 322 games with the Hurricanes. He established career-highs in goals (23) and points (38) during the shortened 2012-13 season.