Three Defensemen the Columbus Blue Jackets Could Look to Trade Before the Deadline
The Jackets have a log jam on the blue line. With several players who don't fit into the long-term plans, they should look to clear that log jam up before the March 8th trading deadline.
By Curtis Deem
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.