The top prospects in North America are almost all untouchable if your the Columbus Blue Jackets front office. You aren’t trading away your 2018 first round pick in Liam Foudy anytime soon. The speedy forward is still progressing in the OHL with 41 points in 37 games already eclipsing his career high for in a season.
Also in the CHL is seventh rounder Trey Fix-Wolansky playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings. TFW is making waves as he is second in scoring in the WHL but he has little trade value.
In the NCAA the Jackets have forward’s Kale Howarth and Carson Meyer both of whom have little to no trade value. Expect both of them to continue on their college careers with little fanfare.
But Notre Dame defenseman Andrew Peeke may be an interesting target. He is a big defenseman that can skate and is starting to develop an offensive game. His defense has always been stellar leading to a selection on the US World Junior Championship team last year but this year he has already matched his best offensive totals in half the time of his previous best.
Peeke is also the Captain of a Fighting Irish squad that is fighting for another chance at a Frozen Four run. He could turn pro next year but with the defensive log jam in Columbus and the quality of competition he is seeing at Notre Dame, Peeke will likely spend another year in South Bend. Unless another NHL franchise wants to trade for him and give him an opportunity to play next year.