Bold Prediction #2: The Blue Jackets package their assets for two major roster upgrades.
Prediction by Matthew Duffey
Matthew predicts that the Blue Jackets are going big game hunting this summer. They have the pieces to do it, and he doesn't shy away from tossing names into the hat.
At the top of his list of trade chips are two forwards who struggled to earn ice time in Columbus last year: Kent Johnson and Dmitri Voronkov. It's certainly possible that the team could parley one or both of them into landing a star talent-or maybe more than one star talent.
That looks even more possible when you dive into the prospect pool and consider the potential of including a player like Luca Del Bel Belluz, Cayden Lindstrom, or one of the many goaltending prospects who are coming along.
Couple those assets with a mid-first round draft pick, and you have the makings of a blockbuster trade. If Don Waddell really wants to ignite his roster, he could double down and do it again. He has the assets.
How likely is this kind of deal, this summer? More likely than ever. At least, it should be. The Blue Jackets are no longer in a place where they can wait around and see how things pan out. They need to take a step forward. Actually, they need to take a leap ahead next season.
That should start with adding more talent to the top end of this lineup. They have plenty of depth, and most of the meaningful pieces that are here, are signed longer-term. Now, it's time to turn the corner and start competing.
No more hanging onto young pieces or futures because you are afraid they might pop elsewhere. Now is the time to strike and improve this roster now, and into the future.
On the next slide, our third bold prediction involves perhaps the most important young player on the roster.
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