We're in another season of certainty for the Columbus Blue Jackets. What I mean by that is, we know for certain that they're going to be sellers at the trade deadline yet again.
This team doesn't stand a realistic chance at a playoff spot. They can't even string together three wins in a row - let alone a long enough streak to push them up the standings. Currently, the Jackets sit dead last in the Eastern Conference by points percentage (.411%).
This means that the franchise is stuck in another year of evaluation; trying to figure out who fits here long-term, and where they might fit into those plans.
With just a quick peek at the team's roster situation, I quickly wrote down several players that I have a hard time seeing a future for in Columbus; at least when this team is finally ready to contend for a playoff spot.
We'll break this into two parts, starting today with the defensemen. Now, I know what you're all thinking, but this list doesn't include a guy like Erik Gudbranson. While I don't see him sticking around here for too many more years, I don't think they'll trade him any time soon.
I also have a hard time seeing Adam Boqvist as a long-term fit here, but that seems like a package type of move for the summer. David Jiricek and Damon Severson are the long-term guys on the right side of this team's top-four.
We narrowed the list down to three defensemen. We'll talk about what they bring, why the team should trade them, and what they might get in return for each of them.