Eyeing the postseason, Blue Jackets boost roster on deadline day, add Gaborik, others

In this Feb. 2, 2013, photo, New York Rangers' Marian Gaborik shoots against the Tampa Bay Lightning during an NHL hockey game in Tampa, Fla. The Rangers have traded Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second trade of star players between the teams within the past year. Gaborik was dealt to the Blue Jackets on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, just before the NHL's afternoon trade deadline, for center Derick Brassard, right wing Derek Dorsett and defenseman John Moore. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (The Associated Press)

In this March 22, 2013, photo, Columbus Blue Jackets' Derick Brassard carries the puck up ice in front of Calgary Flames' Jiri Hudler during an NHL hockey game in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets traded Brassard, right wing Derek Dorsett and defenseman John Moore to the New York Rangers for forward Marian Gaborik on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) (The Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Blue Jackets have rarely been in a playoff race since they entered the league in 2000.

So, in this season of surprise for Columbus, they surely wanted to take advantage of their position in the Western Conference.

And so they did just that.

Three-time NHL All-Star Marian Gaborik was the marquee player among four deals Wednesday as improved Blue Jackets treated the trade deadline day as an opportunity to gear up for the postseason.

Gaborik and minor league defensemen Steven Delisle and Blake Partlett were acquired from the New York Rangers for center Derick Brassard, right wing Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft.

Entering play Wednesday night, Columbus was 11th overall in the West, but just one point out of the eighth and final playoff berth. The Blue Jackets have made the postseason just once in their history.