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Columbus Blue Jackets FanSided AMA: June 2023

By Curtis Deem

COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 13: Michael Hutchinson #31 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during player introductions before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena on April 13, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 13: Michael Hutchinson #31 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during player introductions before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena on April 13, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) /
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With the NHL playoffs completed, we’re in that odd time of the year when there’s not much going on in the hockey world (unless buyouts are your thing). The draft is next week, which will then thrust us right into free agency – but until those events give us some news, we’re in a bit of a lull here.

So, we decided to put the onus on you to give us something to talk about. This is our second ever Union & Blue / FanSided Blue Jackets AMA. The first one we did was very popular, and gave us some fun alternatives to talk about. We had some interesting questions come up again this time around, including some that weren’t expected.

Let’s start with a trade proposal. Everyone has their own perspectives on these, and usually we’re the ones coming up with them. But in this case, Ernie gives us an alternate idea for the Jackets to pick up Elias Pettersson from the Canucks.

In short, no, I don’t think I would make that deal if I were the Jackets. Pettersson is a top-10 center in the world by almost any measure, and he’s still just 24 years old. There’s an obvious fit between he and the Jackets, but I have pause about giving up so much, even for him. Maybe if we took Cole Sillinger out of the deal. I would even be willing to throw in that 2025 1st in his place.

But, this would be selling low on a guy who had a bad sophomore slump season. I think he’s going to rebound and still be a terrific NHL player – maybe even a second line center. If they draft their future #1 center next week, that piece along with Sillinger, gives this team the best young 1-2 center punch it’s ever had. I’m not keen on trading Ceulemans either, but if the deal were worked without Sillinger, I could live with it. It’s worth noting, the Canucks bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson this week, and I’m certain it’s so they could hang onto Pettersson. We can probably let that ship sail.

Mar 17, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (34) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (34) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Robinson’s Renegades asked: “Why isn’t there a White Castle slider stand in Nationwide Arena?”

Too easy. Because they can’t charge us $9 for a slider, it’s not within the White Castle business model. No way Nationwide Arena wants the White Castle line wrapping around the building, with everyone grabbing a 10 sack for pennies on the dollar, compared to other food options around the building. Capitalism, that’s why.

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