According to reports, David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins may be available in a trade because of contract issues. Given the Columbus Blue Jackets trade history, they should absolutely make an offer for Pastrnak.
The Columbus Blue Jackets already made one blockbuster trade this offseason. Yet, it may be time for another.
Brian Lawton, NHL Network Analyst, tweeted this out two days ago:
If it’s true that David Pastrnak is available, the least the Jackets should do is see what the asking price is. From there, they can decide if an offer would make sense or not.
The Columbus Blue Jackets should be hesitant to break up their current core, or lose any top prospects. However, if the asking price isn’t too steep, they should make an offer.
What should the Blue Jackets offer?
A couple of factors have to be taken into consideration when thinking of a potential offer.
Pastrnak is only 21-years old and has already played 172 NHL games. He is experienced for his age which adds more value to his name.
A breakout season last year means it’ll take more than a top prospect and a draft pick to get him. He put up 70 points in 75 games, emerging as one of the league’s young stars.
He also plays right wing, which is currently a strong point for the Blue Jackets, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be any room for him.
If I were the Columbus Blue Jackets GM, I wouldn’t offer any more than Ryan Murray, Sonny Milano and two first-round picks. Although neither of those two players have the star power that Pastrnak has, they, along with the two picks, would create much more depth on the Bruins roster.
Bruins GM Sweeney: “Not trading Pastrnak”
Yesterday, the Boston Bruins GM said in an email, “Not trading Pastrnak.”
Speculation of a trade will probably still be around for a little while though. Nothing will stop the internet from spreading rumors no matter what any GM says, as long as a verified twitter account tweets about it.
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It’s probably unlikely that David Pastrnak ends up in a Columbus Blue Jackets sweater. At the same time, no one is untouchable and the Blue Jackets have pieces to make a big splash. Only time will tell what Pastrnak’s fate is.