Last night, the Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Buffalo Sabres in a close 3-2 game. This was without 7 of their lineup regulars - including their top three scorers. But even as the team continues to fight for a playoff spot, they have to remain patient through this process. It's all about the long term.
Not everyone is going to love it, but that's the only way for general manager Don Waddell to approach this situation. This team has played above its head all season, and one could certainly make the argument that they deserve help getting into the playoffs.
Bringing in that help creates a few problems, however. Most important is the fact that this team at its very peak is going to squeeze into one of the final seeds in the East. And, even if they did somehow manage to catch the New Jersey Devils for third place in the Metropolitan Division; their reward is still a first round matchup against either the Carolina Hurricanes or the Washington Capitals.
Honestly, with that in mind, they might be better off finishing in the first wild card spot and getting onto the Atlantic side of the bracket.
While I love what the Jackets have done this season, I have a hard time seeing them winning a 7-game series against any of the three teams ahead of them in the Metro. All are deeper and more experienced. And, even if the Jackets did somehow manage to shock the world ala 2019, it's hard to see them climbing the mountain much further.
The second issue that would arise if they went out and added pieces at the deadline? Some of the guys who have worked all season to get this team into playoff contention in the first place, would be pushed out of the lineup.
The Jackets have just two games before a two-week respite for the 4 Nations Challenge. At that point, they're expecting to get Boone Jenner back. They may get Yegor Chinakhov back. And, by then, Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko may not be too far off.
We don't know what Dante Fabbro's status is, just yet. Zach Werenski is merely listed as day to day, and hasn't even pulled out of that tournament to this point. So, help is on its way, if they can just weed through these last couple of games before the much needed break.
It will be tough to find spots for all of these guys.
With those six players set to return at some point - and Erik Gudbranson possibly joining them - a lot of players are already going to get pushed out of this lineup. In fact, it's pretty difficult to find seven guys to take out of the lineup at all. That's how good they've been.
So, what kind of message are you sending to this group by selling off futures to plug lineup holes in a year where they've fought so hard? Hoenstly, probably not the right one. The correct move here is staying the course with this group, and letting the chips fall where they may. They'll be ready to contend next year.