Columbus Blue Jackets: NHL Trade Deadline Primer

Columbus Blue Jackets: Trade Deadline Preview

With less than 4 weeks until the February 29th NHL trade deadline, it is time to start labeling the selling teams and preview which players teams may/should make available.  Currently sitting in last place with 43 points, the Columbus Blue Jackets become the must discuss team.  Assuming they stay the course and finish the season in the bottom of the standings, the Blue Jackets will be securing themselves a top 4 pick in the 2016 draft with a few prospects available that can can add some much-needed size and talent to the Columbus prospect pool.  Lets briefly review some notable names and needs in the organization:

• Needs: Prospects with size and a two-way game.
• Expiring contracts: Rene Bourque, Boone Jenner, William Karlsson and Dalton Prout.
• Prospect Surplus: Goaltenders, top 4 defenseman
• Roster Players who may be moved: Jack Johnson, Fedor Tyutin, Curtis McElhinney, Scott Hartnell
• Notable Prospects: Kerby Rychel, Alex Wennberg, Paul Bittner, Sonny Milano, Zach Werenski, Joonas Korpisalo, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Gabriel Carlsson

Defense

The Columbus Blue Jackets have long been recognized for their Defensive deficiencies, but the recently acquired Seth Jones (2013 4^th overall pick) is a strong addition to their stable of young-mobile defenseman. Jones joins a Blue-line that includes the following:

Ryan Murray (2012 2^nd overall pick) – age 22

David Savard (20008 4^th round pick) – age 25

Zach Werenski (2015 8^th overall pick) – age 18 * currently playing with Michigan Wolverines

Cody Goulabef (2007 2^nd round pick) – age 26

Jack Johnson (2005 3^rd overall pick) – age 29

Fedor Tyutin – age 32

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Seth Jones has quickly established himself as a strong partner for Ryan Murray on the 1^st pairing, pushing Jack Johnson to the 2^nd pairing and Fedor Tyutin off the roster most nights. With Zach Werenski expected to take the jump to the NHL for the 2016-17 season, it is unlikely that Fedor Tyutin, and his $4.5 million dollar cap hit over the next two seasons, reemerges as a presence on the Blue Jacket’s Blue Line. Tyutin is a likely candidate to be dealt by the deadline or in the offseason for cap relief, but trading Tyutin will be difficult.

As for Jack Johnson, he and David Savard are both strong options for the 2^nd pairing. Savard will be in the first year of a 5-year, $4.25 million dollar contract next season, while Johnson will be in the 5^th year of a 7-year, $4.4 million dollar contract. When healthy, both players are great for the Columbus blue jackets and have similar cap hits, but fill a similar hole in the line up.  I view the prospective pairing of Savard and Werenski as an ideal shut-down 2nd pairing that can be leaned upon in special teams situations for multiple seasons. There is obviously a surplus of talent on the Blue Jackets Blue line, which is a new phenomenon in the organization.  It is important to allow chemistry to develop between the young players, which means some of the maligned veterans need to be moved out. Moving Tyutin and Jack Johnson, could be a priority for the Blue Jackets this offseason to clear the foreseeable log jam at defense and bring in strong prospects to develop in the Blue Jackets organization.

Goaltenders

In 2013, Sergei Bobrovsky established himself as a top goalie in the NHL by winning the Vezina trophy. He was rewarded with a big contract, but has failed to repeat his 2013 performance. Fighting injuries and struggling with the mental part of the game, the door has opened for other goalies in the organization to showcase their skill set. 

Curtis McElhinney has proven to be a strong back up option at the NHL level. Once healthy, I would argue the aging McEhlinney should be moved to a contender to provide trusted back up through a playoff run. This would open the door for Anton Forsberg to hold an interim back up position to grow at the NHL level, until younger prospects are ready to take over the responsibility.

The Finnish goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and Swedish goaltender Oskar Dansk are the youngest of the group, but have established themselves as the top goalie prospects in the organization. The 21-year-old Korpisalo could spend more time developing at the AHL level, but has the ability to be a starter or back up for Columbus in the next 1-3 seasons. Oscar Dansk, while he has only been seen in junior action, is a highly regarded prospect who is currently knocking on the door for AHL action. The Blue Jackets have a very formidable grouping of young goaltenders in the system to pair with their strong defensive prospects.  The team is building from the backend, which is important, but brings us to our biggest area of need for the Blue Jackets.

Forwards

The past offseason was viewed as a success for the Blue Jackets by many, myself included, as the talented Brandon Saad joined the likes of Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno on the team’s top 2 lines.  Unfortunately the players did not click as expected and character concerns resulted in the trade of Ryan Johansen to the Nashville Predators.

Despite a hole in the roster at first line center and struggling team chemistry, the Blue Jackets have a lot looking up for next season.  Many of the key roster players are already locked up for next year and skilled prospects like Sonny Milano and Oliver Bjorkstrand will have a the opportunity in training camp to crack the roster.  However, by adding these two names to NHL roster with Alex Wennberg and Kerby Rychel already receiving NHL minutes, the Blue Jackets will essentially be emptying the prospect cupboard.  I would argue that this would leave Paul Bittner (2015 2nd round pick) as the lone offensive prospect of significance in the organization and the 6’5″ LW  projects as a 3rd line winger if he develops the physical side of his game.

Perhaps the offensive struggles can simply be addressed through restocking the cupboards in a strong 2016 draft.  One of Auston Matthews, Jesse Puljujarvi, Patrik Laine and Matthew Tkachuk will likely put on a Blue Jackets jersey in June, but my view is free agency and trades are where Jarmo Kekalainen can make a significant dent.  Moving expiring contracts for prospects is simply good management for struggling teams to receive value for a diminishing asset.

Next: Columbus Blue Jackets Left With Hole to Fill

Also, it is rumored that teams are willing to listen to offers on David Backes, Kyle Okposo and Andrew Ladd and it is likely that at least one of these names will make it to Free Agency on July 1st.  The physical playing styles of David Backes and Andrew Ladd scream Blue Jackets hockey to me.  I could see one of them slotting into the lineup nicely to join the likes of Alex Wennberg and Brandon Dubinsky in the team’s top 2 center roles.  In support of that claim, both players are excellent leaders in the locker room and would prove as great role models for young players while the team builds a team identity for the 2016-17 season and allows the eventual future 1st line center to emerge.