TORONTO, June 22 (UPI) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets traded up and the Florida Panthers traded down Saturday with both franchises getting their man in the NHL draft.
The punchless Blue Jackets swapped picks with the Panthers, moving up two spots to select Rick Nash, a projected power forward who was the second-ranked North American prospect.
"Rick Nash has been our No. 1 guy all year," Columbus general manager Doug MacLean said. "We absolutely love this guy."
To get Nash, a 6-3, 188-pounder who had 32 goals and 40 assists in 54 games in the Ontario junior league last season, the Blue Jackets also agreed to switch first-rounders with Florida in 2003.
Florida coveted smooth-skating defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and sent third- and fourth-round picks to the Atlanta Thrashers to ensure the top-ranked North American prospect would be available at third overall.
Atlanta general manager Don Waddell obliged, using the No. 2 pick on Finnish goaltender Kari Lehtonen to help a team that ranked last defensively in the NHL in 2001-02.
That left Bouwmeester for the Panthers, who desperately need defensive help.
"He will be given a tremendous opportunity to make our hockey club," Florida coach Mike Keenan said. "We feel that based on our reports from our scouting staff, he has a legitimate chance to play for the Panthers this season."
Keenan likened the 6-3, 209-pound Bouwmeester to former Hart and Norris Trophy winner Chris Pronger, who played for Keenan briefly with the St. Louis Blues.
"I think it's a fair comparison because our scouting staff and other scouts around the league have made those type of comparisons," Keenan said. "I think Jay has been recognized as a little better skater than Chris. And Chris also has some attributes that people would think that Jay could acquire."
One day after obtaining the fourth overall pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Philadelphia Flyers used it on defenseman Joni Pitkanen, the top-ranked European prospect. The 6-3, 202-pound Finn has been described as a finesse player who likes to carry the puck but is reliable in his own zone.
The Pittsburgh Penguins made it two defensemen in a row, using the fifth overall pick on Boston University freshman Ryan Whitney. The third-ranked North American prospect, Whitney plans to return to school next season.
The next five selections were used on forwards as the Nashville Predators picked right wing Scottie Upshall, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim chose center-right wing Joffrey Lupul, the Minnesota Wild tabbed center Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Florida went with center Petr Taticek and the Calgary Flames selected left wing Eric Nystrom, the son of New York Islanders Stanley Cup hero Bobby Nystrom.
