Peripheral Trade Pieces
The players in this section are still young enough or good enough to bring some value, but not enough to be a key part of a deal. They would need to be paired with a solid roster or a prospect in the last section to bring enough value to garner the attention of a trade partner.
Corson Ceulemans
Another former first-round pick, Corson Ceulemans is playing with the Monsters. While his offensive game is starting to remind fans why the Blue Jackets even took him with a first-round pick, his defensive play has kept him from being consistently in the top four this year.
Ceulemans offers a similar perspective as Lindstrom, but with even less runway. Injury issues can be marked as a primary reason for his poor development, so it’s possible that he could string together a few years of positive growth if he can stay healthy.
Although he would be a secondary piece of any potential trade, it’s hard not to think that some teams would be at least somewhat intrigued by his potential.
James Malatesta
A player that was once thought to be almost a sure lock for a future bottom-six role in the NHL, James Malatesta has quietly found himself rather low on the priority list of forwards on the Monsters.
While he brings fantastic physicality and edge to his game, 18 points on the season for a forward playing in his third season in the AHL makes it hard to imagine his practicality on the Jackets. With his offensive and defensive skill lacking, his physicality just isn’t enough.
Still, with players like Kiefer Sherwood (physical with some goal-scoring ability) creating rather high value, a team could be looking to create a fourth-line wrecking ball of their own. Still only 22, Malatesta could be another intriguing asset for an interested team.
Jordan Dumais
A few years ago, Jordan Dumais likely would have been among the untouchables in the Jackets prospect pool. Sadly, injuries combined with an unimpactful development path have led to him struggling to find his footing in the AHL.
With that being said, this is another player who, although one-dimensional, still might have some solid upside. His playmaking ability and vision are very solid, but his poor defense and physicality limit his value and success in professional hockey.
Kirill Dolzhenkov
A bit of an unknown as far as Blue Jackets draft picks, Kirill Dolzhenkov is an impactful, physical forward in Russia’s top pro league. The 6’6, 230-pound forward is fantastic in front of the net and along the boards, but struggles to provide value elsewhere.
With the 22-year old’s unimpressive development so far, it may not even be a sure thing that we even see Dolzhenkov in North America. Similar to Malatesta, a team looking for a powerful, aggressive forward could have some interest, but there wouldn’t be a ton of value.
William Whitelaw
A player who has made a bit of a comeback after a slow post-draft start, William Whitelaw is a great playmaking forward with a defensive game that isn’t a liability. After seeing low ice time in his first two years in college hockey (with two different teams) he has found a place with Western Michigan University.
Whitelaw’s 19 goals and 34 points were second and third on the team, respectively. His small size keeps him from being a main piece, but you’ve got to think that there’s some solid value here. Perhaps the most valuable prospect in this section, Whitelaw could be a surprisingly important trade piece going forward, and perhaps a decent player for the Jackets otherwise.
Charlie Elick
I have to admit that I’m a bit more negative on Charlie Elick than most. While I loved the pick on draft night, his negative progression offensively is a red flag for me that can’t be overlooked. His defensive game is nothing short of outstanding, but the utter lack of offensive value makes it hard to see a clean path to the NHL for him.
That could still completely change with development in the AHL, though, and there could definitely be some intrigue for the 20-year-old defender who carries decent size. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jackets still want to keep him around, and his name could end up being one that Waddell shuts down if it comes up over the phone.
Evan Gardner
Another player who hasn't had great development since his draft year, Evan Gardner could be a victim of a suddenly crowded goalie room in the coming years. After posting a .927 save percentage during the 2023-24 season, the next two years of .911 and .902 have raised some question marks.
Gardner is comparable to Jet Greaves, as they are similar in size while Greaves focuses more on angles and safe technique while Gardner is more explosive but perhaps less consistent. He will likely have a role on the Monsters next season, and a solid start to his pro career could alleviate some of this doubt and build confidence going forward.
Luca Marrelli
After an offensive breakout in the OHL last year, Luca Marrelli has spent this season with the Monsters after recovering from an injury. While his offensive skill has been proven with 16 points in 32 games, his -14 rating reveals some of his defensive weakness.
A strong skater with good stick control, Marrelli's rather low physicality and occasional poor positioning can leave him vulnerable against the rush. While I think his high-end offensive potential (including a fantastic shot) likely keep him from being a serious trade candidate, it also could bring some value if the Jackets don't love the fit.
Owen Griffin
To round out this section, we have another late-round draft pick who has brought some attention to himself. Recently assigned to the Monsters, Owen Griffin hasn't played an AHL game yet but brings great effort and tenacity with some serious offensive upside.
After just turning 19 earlier this month, Griffin is poised for solid opportunities in the Blue Jackets system, but could also be a player that could garner attention from other teams. His polished, two-way game is likely very attractive for an organization looking for a young player to start developing early.
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