Five Bold Predictions for the 2023-24 Columbus Blue Jackets

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Bold Prediction #4: The Jackets acquire a big name talent from a cap-stretched team…

This one comes from Matthew Duffey as well, and I think he’s onto something. We’re not talking about making a trade for a third pairing defenseman or a fourth line forward here. We’re talking about a bold move that shakes up the core of the team and changes their competitive window.

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Jarmo Kekäläinen of the Columbus Blue Jackets attends the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

As far as who that player is, well, that’s a topic I’m always leery to touch on. But, one quick look at the NHL’s salary cap compliances tells you that roughly half of the teams in the NHL are in some cap predicaments – even before the regular season kicks off.

Columbus is not one of those teams. In fact, they find themselves near the bottom of the league in regards to their cap situation, with some of their most important players both locked up longer-term – and some of their young stars not yet off of their entry-level deals.

Oct 23, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) celebrates with Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (34), Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jake Bean (22), and additional teammates after scoring a goal against New York Rangers goaltender Jaroslav Halak (41) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports /

Now, they’ll have some very important pieces of business to take care of next summer, including prominent RFAs Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, Alexandre Texier, Cole Sillinger, Yegor Chinakhov, Jake Bean, and Nick Blankenburg; but the cap is expected to take a big jump next season, and they should be in a pretty good situation that allows them to keep most or all of these players, if they so choose.

The other side to this equation? The Jackets have a glut of players vying for roster spots this year. We counted 28 players in serious contention for 23 spots; which means the club is going to almost certainly be risking the loss of a player like Emil Bemstrom or Liam Foudy via the waiver wire. It’s entirely possible that they’ll pass through, especially with so many teams facing cap constraints. But, is it possible that the Jackets could look to package some of this depth, to try and upgrade their roster elsewhere?

Apr 16, 2019; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game four of the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

It certainly doesn’t seem to be out of the question. Jarmo Kekalainen is a bold general manager whose job is very much on the line after the Mike Babcock scandal; and who has made splashes in the past and acquired players that nobody saw becoming available. Seth Jones and Artemi Panarin are two that immediately come to mind; if he could secure a top end piece like that for pennies on the dollar, he would be foolish not to act.

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