The NHL's annual holiday roster freeze is coming up later this week. From December 20-27, no teams will be allowed to make any roster moves. The schedule makes for interesting timing for a Blue Jackets team that needs a shakeup.
Looking at the next week ahead, the Blue Jackets have two games in Columbus: tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, and Thursday against the Minnesota Wild.
After that, they do not play again until a brief road trip that takes them out west. They play Saturday-the 20th-in Anaheim; and then again next Monday against the Kings in LA.
We can't help but notice the timing here. The Jackets will have one game in four days after tonight, leading up to the roster freeze. At which point they will be on the road.
It's just a gut feeling for me, but I have to point out: does that not feel like the time to make a trade splash? When you can take your team out on the road with a new face or faces, just before the holiday roster freeze?
There are other factors in play here, as well. In fact, it's all lining up for a team that needs to make some changes.
The new double retention rule could create a soft trade deadline this week.
The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is going to come on March 6th. That's 80 days from today-or 77 days from the last day teams can make moves ahead of Christmas break.
This is very notable, because the new CBA dictates that any team who wants to acquire a player with double salary retention, needs 75 days in between trades to get that done.
As a result, we could see teams selling off players now, hoping to maximize their returns on them-while other teams acquire players to flip at the hard deadline in March.
This is the kind of thing that can shake up the trade market a little bit, and we might start seeing buyers separated from sellers pretty soon.
About that new GM in Buffalo.
The other factor at play here: the Buffalo Sabres just named Jarmo Kekalainen as their new general manager. At his press conference today, he talked about being patient and evaluating; but also mentioned the potential for moves in the near future, as he has already been scouting.
I took two important things out of what he said, that may pertain to the Blue Jackets. First, it sounds like he's looking to move a goaltender. Second, he wants to add some veteran leadership.
The Jackets could be looking to make a move in goal. And, we have heard rumblings all year about Boone Jenner's availability. I won't outright say the team is going to trade him (especially not for a goalie), but if Jarmo is looking to add some leadership and grit; this is a player he knows and trusts.
Buffalo has some very interesting pieces, and could be a natural trade partner for the Blue Jackets in some capacity. Whether it's a minor deal or something ground shaking, there are a lot of potential moves here.
One last thing: if you listened to CBJ Radio's Bob McElligott on the Monday Mailbag yesterday, you might have gleaned an interesting tidbit of information. Jarmo has reportedly been hanging around Nationwide Arena quite a bit lately.
In conclusion.
There is too much smoke here to not have a spark somewhere down the line. Whether this results in a trade this week or not, it's all very interesting to hear.
I'm certain that Don Waddell is trying to improve his roster to help this team start to recover this season. The only questions I have here are, how much is he looking to tinker, and can he find the right deal?
Certainly, no GM in the league has more knowledge about the players Waddell is likely shopping around than Kekalainen. We'll see if anything comes out of all of this. We may have our answer soon.