7 players the Blue Jackets could give or take.
Depending on how firmly your finger is on the pulse of this organization and their contracts, you might have noticed one prominent Blue Jacket that I haven't brought up yet.
That's because, for the first time since they drafted him way back in 2011, I can see a scenario where this team moves on from Boone Jenner.
Boone is the captain of this team, and he holds the franchise record for most career games played (777 and counting). But, if this team does start to bow out of the playoff race, does his value on the trade market exceed the value that he can bring by signing an extension in Columbus?
I think it's possible that it can. I know ownership and management love this guy. I love this guy. But, if the team does extend Coyle and Marchment, is there even a need to have him back next year?
Or, would they be better suited to trade him for what I can only imagine would be a massive haul, then try to churn those assets out for a younger difference maker over the summer?
All of these questions give me pause. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one go either way, but I have a feeling that if Boone does stay, his contract might need to be "team-friendly". And, he may need to be comfortable accepting a diminishing role as this team transitions into contention. This is the biggest CBJ-related situation to watch over the Olympic break.
Aside from Jenner, the only player left on this list who has played regularly in the NHL this year is Brendan Gaunce. I wouldn't be surprised to see him re-sign a two-way contract, be it before the end of this season, or sometime over the summer. But, if he chooses to move on, it's not going to change much in this team's plans.
Goaltender Ivan Fedotov has yet to play a game with the Jackets, and has instead taken on the starting goaltender role with the Cleveland Monsters. Like Gaunce, I can see him going in either direction. Though, I would caution more towards him leaving for a better opportunity elsewhere. He's a talented guy with NHL chops, so there will be a market for him.
The four remaining names on the list of players unsigned after this year: Hudson Fasching, Dysin Mayo, Owen Sillinger, and Hunter McKown.
It's tough not to label these guys as career AHLers at this point, though McKown may have bottom-six NHL upside. I can see any of them looking for a better opportunity outside of the organization this summer, but perhaps circling back if they're unable to find anything.
In the end, Waddell seriously has some work cut out for himself. Not just over the Olympic break, but also over the summer. There will be a lot of contract news within this organization over the next 6 months. Some of it in the next couple of weeks.