How will the Columbus Blue Jackets attack the Expansion Draft and the many different paths the team can go down?
The Columbus Blue Jackets face many interesting choices as the Expansion Draft protection list is due in 19 days. The Jackets, like most other NHL teams, are set to lose a good player.
The current format gives NHL teams two protection options. The most popular choice is to protect seven forwards, three defenseman and one goalie. For teams that are more defensively minded, teams can also protect eight total skaters and one goalie. All teams must protect players with no movement clauses.
The Jackets expansion draft strategy is dependent on a few key decision that will be made shortly. Ideally, the Jackets can protect their top talent and promising stars. All while possibly unloading either a heavy contract or player that won’t be critical to team success. Obviously this is much easier said than done.
Many Paths to Go Down for the CBJ
I see the Jackets pushing for a few options. One is putting together a package of draft picks to entice Vegas to take a player the CBJ want them to take. This would involve shipping a combination of picks to the Golden Knights in exchange for them taking a player the Jackets designate.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets could also trade away certain players that are set to be exposed for picks or players that are automatically protected. This will reduce the assets exposed and decrease the volatility of the expansion draft for the club.
Finally, the team could just take whatever hit comes their way in the expansion draft. All teams are set to lose a player. Moving pieces and draft picks for the possibility of limiting the damage to their current roster may not be worth it. There is no way to predict what Vegas will want in the draft so why move around guaranteed picks or players to hope to minimize the hurt.
Ultimately, Jarmo and the front office staff are smart enough to not go down the finally option just listed. There is a way to minimize damage and I fully expect to see some moves happen shortly. Over the next week we will analyze the many options the Jackets face. From getting players to wave NMC to trades, the CBJ should be busy.