But if the addition of forward Jason Williams ignites a few more cannon blasts in Nationwide Arena after a Blue Jackets power-play goal, the deal might prove highly beneficial.

Yesterday, the Jackets acquired the 28-year-old forward from the Atlanta Thrashers for minor-league defenseman Clay Wilson and a sixth-round draft pick in 2009.

Williams can play wing or center, but it's at the right point of the power play that the Jackets are probably most eager to see him.

Williams is viewed as a power-play specialist, with 26 of his career 73 NHL goals coming on power plays. He's also a right-handed shot, an asset the Jackets have lacked.

"He brings an element to our team that will help us at 5-on-5 and on the power play," coach Ken Hitchcock said "He's got an excellent shot, and he looks to shoot."

The Jackets have been pursing a trade since late December, when rookie center Derick Brassard suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. The Williams deal is hardly a blockbuster -- it cost the team only about $1.1 million in additional salary, a low-round pick and a minor-league player who wasn't part of the organization's long-range plans.

Williams might not fit that profile, either, but he is an offensive-minded player on an expiring contract.

"I'm really familiar with the Blue Jackets from my days in Detroit and Chicago, and I know they have been getting better," Williams said. "I missed the playoffs by just a couple of points last year with Chicago, and if I can help this team get into the playoffs this year, it would be good for the organization and myself."

The Blue Jackets, winners of seven of their past nine games, have shored up their goaltending, penalty killing and defensive play. But the power play remains nettlesome.

It ranks last in the league, converting at 11 percent, a figure that must improve if the Jackets hope to make the playoffs for the first time.

"When Jason was with Chicago (in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons), he really helped their power play when he was in the lineup," Howson said. "They were something like 11 percent without him and 19 percent with him. He can shoot the puck and he sees the ice well."

Williams had his best season (2005-06) with Detroit. He had 21 goals and 37 assists. But he is not a physical player and injuries are a concern.

He played just 43 games last season with the Blackhawks largely because of a sports hernia. In joining the Blue Jackets, he shares a locker room with forward Raffi Torres, who as an Edmonton Oiler leveled him with a devastating check Nov. 8, 2006. Williams was taken from the ice on a stretcher after suffering a concussion.

"I'm sure it might come up over dinner sometime," Williams said. "We're teammates now. He works hard and he plays hard, and what happened is in the past."

The Thrashers, who are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, were looking for prospects and picks and the chance to shed payroll. They signed Williams to a $2.2 million contract last summer.

He did not mesh on a team that had hoped he could play on a line with Ilya Kovalchuk. Williams had seven goals and 11 assists in 41 games but was a finesse player on a club loaded with them.

The Thrashers did not even use Williams on the point, instead going with Kovalchuk, Mathieu Schneider and former Jacket Ron Hainsey.

Hitchcock expects Williams to make his debut Friday against New Jersey but isn't sure on what line he will play.

Wilson, 25, was traded for the second time in two seasons. He's an offensive defenseman who's not afraid to take chances yet couldn't stick in the Jackets lineup.

The sixth-round pick being sent to Atlanta had belonged to San Jose and was compensation for last season's Jody Shelley trade.

treed@dispatch.com

Jason Williams file

• Size: 5 feet 11, 195 pounds

• Age: 28

• Pos.: Forward

• Pro teams: Detroit (2000-06), Chicago (2006-08), Atlanta (2008-09).

• Notable: Has 73 goals, 103 assists in 337 games Has 62 career power-play points His best season was with Detroit in 2005-06, when he had 21 goals and 37 assists.