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The Three Best and Worst Deadline Moves by Jarmo Kekalainen

By Curtis Deem

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 7: Marian Gaborik #10 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the New York Rangers on November 7, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 7: Marian Gaborik #10 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the New York Rangers on November 7, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Now that we have the negative stuff out of the way, let’s look at some of the positive deadline returns for Jarmo Kekalainen and the Blue Jackets. This list has to start with the big swing made in the 2019 season.

In spite of the fact that they were mired in a battle for a wild card spot at the 2019 deadline; Jarmo decided that he wanted to make a splash and turn the Jackets into contenders. So, he went out and surprised the hockey world by acquiring the top player available: Matt Duchene.

This was a year that really seemed like a toss-up as far as who could win the whole thing, and by making this trade, Jarmo put the Jackets into that conversation. With talent on defense, the wings, and in goal; the Jackets needed to add some depth down the middle if they were going to cement themselves as a team that could make some noise. In acquiring Duchene, they did just that.

Apr 30, 2019; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Matt Duchene (95), left wing Nick Foligno (71), and left wing Artemi Panarin (9) celebrate after defeating the Boston Bruins in game three of the second round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2019; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Matt Duchene (95), left wing Nick Foligno (71), and left wing Artemi Panarin (9) celebrate after defeating the Boston Bruins in game three of the second round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /

Though the balance of the regular season kept us all on the edge of our seats, they snuck into the final playoff seed and earned a matchup against the President’s Trophy winning Tampa Bay Lightning. We all know how that series turned out; and Duchene was a huge part of things. In 10 playoff games, he scored 5 goals and 10 points, finishing 1 point behind Artemi Panarin for the team lead.

All they gave up for Duchene were second-tier prospects and what wound up becoming the 19th overall pick (Lassi Thomson) at the 2019 NHL Draft. Since the Jackets did not re-sign Duchene, they were not required to send Ottawa that 2020 1st round pick.

Mar 21, 2019; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Vitaly Abramov (85) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2019; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Vitaly Abramov (85) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

To this point, the three pieces sent to Ottawa in this trade have combined for just 29 NHL games played, with 1 goal and 6 assists. With Davidsson and Abramov both playing in Europe, only Thomson remains a legitimate NHL prospect for the Senators. The memories we’ll have from that 2019 sweep of the Lightning, are more than enough to make up for what the Jackets gave up in this deal – even if Duchene packed his bags for Nashville as soon as the second round ended.

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