NHL trade rumors: Top 4 teams who should trade for Johnny Gaudreau

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets need difference makers. That’s a cold hard fact. Yes, they’ve got some darn good players and John Tortorella gets the most out of his guys. But the Blue Jackets never really replaced Artemi Panarin after he signed with the New York Rangers. Gaudreau isn’t quite as good as Panarin, but he’s about as close as the Blue Jackets are going to get.

According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic (subscription required), the Blue Jackets want to make a big splash this offseason. And who can blame them? They saw how much they miss Panarin and Matt Duchene when the Tampa Bay Lightning beat them in five games.

Gaudreau would slot in next to Pierre-Luc Dubois on the Blue Jackets top forward line. If Columbus can improve their second line by getting a legit top-six center, Gaudreau could also play there. But right now, I see him as more of a fit on the top line.

I believe the Blue Jackets’ top priority is getting that second-line center they need. But after that, Gaudreau should be next on their list. He’s exactly what they need to become true Stanley Cup contenders. The only question is, do the Blue Jackets have enough assets to get both a second-line center and Gaudreau?