St. Louis Blues Re-Acquire Adam Cracknell from Columbus Blue Jackets
The St. Louis Blues added some quality forward depth for the stretch run on Thursday afternoon, acquiring forward Adam Cracknell from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for future considerations.
The 29-year-old Cracknell was in the Blues’ organization from 2009 to 2014, and he saw action with the NHL club over parts of the 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14 seasons. Over that time, he played in 65 regular season games, scoring six goals and adding 10 assists.
After becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer, Cracknell signed with the Los Angeles Kings, but after failing to make their opening NHL roster, he was claimed on waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets, for whom he played 17 games and contributed one assist. After being sent down to their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, he played in 18 games, scoring three goals and adding four assists.
More from St. Louis Blues
- An early projection of the St. Louis Blues’ opening-night roster
- St. Louis Blues sign Klim Kostin to three-year, entry-level contract
- St. Louis Blues: Nail Yakupov signs with Colorado Avalanche
- St. Louis Blues: An homage to Chris Butler
- St. Louis Blues agree to one-year contract with Oskar Sundqvist
Cracknell’s greatest contribution during his previous stint in a Bluenote was during the playoffs on the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. He was part of the “CPR” line with Chris Porter and Ryan Reaves during the 2013 series against the Kings, providing great energy against the Kings’ big, bruising lineup. In the 2014 series against the Chicago Blackhawks, Cracknell scored the first goal of the postseason for the Blues and skated in the first five games of the six-game series loss against Chicago.
Cracknell has never been able to establish himself as a long-term contributor in the Blues’ lineup, but he’s seemed to get it going whenever the stakes have been big. Though the Blues probably would prefer not to have to put him in their lineup down the stretch, he’s a very reliable depth player who has proven his ability to play well on the big stage when pressed into action.
Cracknell will report to the Chicago Wolves, the Blues’ AHL affiliate, though it’s possible that he could be called up to the NHL club once rosters expand following Monday’s trade deadline.