Well known Sportsnet NHL insider Elliot Friedman broke some really interesting Columbus Blue Jackets draft news.
It has become well known in recent days that the Blue Jackets are aware of their lack of depth on defense and that the team is aggressively pursuing a defenseman. (We had a post saying they should go in that direction here.) Later in the day another story from Sportsnet, this time from Chris Johnston which can be read here, claims that the Blue Jackets may have already made an offer to the Coyotes for the third overall pick.
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From everything we know this seems to be a move for one of two players who are thought of as franchise defensemen; either Noah Hanifan or Ivan Proverov. Where things get really interesting is that we may not know where the Columbus Blue Jackets draft will start until Friday night. From the Johnston’s article:
"Even with trade talks heating up, he expects his decision to go right down to the wire. In fact, it might not come before the Coyotes are on the clock after Edmonton and Buffalo kick things off. “I think generally you get your best offer on the draft floor,” said Maloney. “That’s what I’ve found. Unless somebody really blows us over and needs an answer I think that’s generally how these things work.”"
If Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is being this aggressive in the days leading up to the draft it indicates how confident he is in the rest of the team. The combination of players on this team indicates that they are on the verge of becoming a contender in the Eastern Conference. The major position of need they are missing is a top defensive pairing. Imagine the Blue Jackets group of forwards, minus whoever it takes to get the pick, Sergei Bobrovsky in goal and a top blue line pairing of Noah Hanifan and Ryan Murray for years to come.
Next: Blue Jackets Draft Day Excitement