Columbus Blue Jackets: Josh Anderson Should Be Trade Bait

The Columbus Blue Jackets and winger Josh Anderson cannot seem to come to an agreement, so the Columbus Blue Jackets should look at other options for Anderson, including a trade.

Josh Anderson and the Columbus Blue Jackets are locked in a contentious restricted free agent contract negotiation that is starting to resemble one from the past. This negotiation is starting to look like the Johansen contract struggle which was resolved, but it ultimately ended in Johansen being traded to Nashville early in the season for Seth Jones.

Josh Anderson Value

The young Columbus Blue Jackets forward, had a breakout season, tallying 29 points with 17 goals and 12 assists.  The Blue Jackets saw enough from Anderson to make a deal with Vegas, so they would not take Josh Anderson in the NHL Expansion Draft. This may have given unforeseen leverage to Anderson.

Josh Anderson is a young wing on the rise. He had a season in Columbus that no one expected, but Columbus does not need to overpay for his services. Anderson can be a top two line season, but he also has the size and speed to make the top line.

Related Story: Case For Anderson On The Top Line

Columbus would love to keep Anderson and continue to help him grow, but they cannot be taken for a ride with such an unproven commodity. There are other options for Columbus and these options need to be looked at long and hard.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have control of Anderson as a restricted free agent, so there is the possibility that the Blue Jackets could use Anderson as part of a deal. Anderson could replace a prospect in a trade package, thus giving the Blue Jackets more value in a trade for Colorado center Matt Duchene.

Possible Package For Duchene

The Columbus Blue Jackets seem to stay in rumors for Matt Duchene, but the Colorado Avalanche have yet to budge on their demands. One would think that the Avalanche have to trade Duchene before the situation gets too ugly, but they do not seem rushed in the slightest to move him.

Even if Anderson is not included in a deal, a potential deal could give Columbus leverage. Colorado was awful. This could be almost a threat for Anderson to sign a deal or be shipped to a bottom feeder. This threat was mentioned by CapnCornelious on Twitter, which made a whole lot of sense.

Along with Anderson, Columbus could add in Ryan Murray and a first or second round pick to get Duchene. This package gives Colorado an asset in the pick, a solid forward, and an NHL defenseman that would be in their current top four.

This deal gives Colorado something they can be happy with, and Columbus gets a center that will truly help their team.  Anderson needs to get a deal done with Columbus, but if it is not done soon maybe they can get value from him through a trade.