Three lineup holes the Columbus Blue Jackets could fill with a hockey trade
As they continue to reset the roster, the Blue Jackets are searching for a good old fashion hockey trade. What might they be looking for here?
The offseason of transition continues for the Blue Jackets, with Don Waddell working hard behind the scenes in an effort to change the direction of the club.
He's done a nice job trimming some roster fat, and he added a nice piece in free agency last week. But, this roster is still a long way from contention, and there are still some pieces to be moved out as well.
The best case scenario here would be killing two of those birds with one stone. If the Jackets could find a trade partner for someone like Patrik Laine, they could swing a deal to fill one of the holes on their current roster. Or, they could venture into trading away one of the other young wingers on the team in a bigger move.
There are some obvious areas that need help here, so let's take a look at what they might be looking for.
1. A starting goaltender...
This one is probably the least likely area of impact. But, if you want your team to improve quickly; nothing will make that happen quicker than a goalie who can steal some games.
The Jackets surrender a lot of high danger chances, and as a result, a lot of goals against. Which is the main reason they've been terrible for the last few years. Adding a steady goaltender who can prevent a few of those pucks from squirting in, could make a huge difference.
But, I don't see that happening. The Blue Jackets are already paying Elvis Merzlikins a starter's salary, on a deal that is basically un-tradeable. They're more likely to try to work him back onto the right track.
Even if they cannot, I don't see them bringing on more salary for the position. So, I think they'll look to impact the roster elsewhere. Like on defense...
2. An upgrade on defense...
If you can't improve upon your goals against by adding a goaltender, maybe you can do it by upgrading on defense?
The Blue Jackets have a true #1 defenseman in Zach Werenski. But after him, I feel like everyone is playing one slot higher than they should.
And, they only have 5 true NHL defensemen at this time. Joining Werenski are Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov - who both make a good case for being a #3 defenseman on a contender - as well as Erik Gudbranson (ideally, a #5/6 guy) and Jack Johnson (depth).
Obviously, I think they're hoping that top prospects David Jiricek and/or Denton Mateychuk can secure one of these jobs and help make a difference. But, until they do, you can't really count on them being a solution here.
If the Jackets could find a trade partner willing to throw in a top-four defenseman, they would be doing themselves a real favor. And, honestly, I won't even say "young" or "roster age appropriate" here. Experience could be a big help for this team as it turns the corner.
Ideally, someone who could play alongside Werenksi, as Jiricek continues to develop. Even if just for the upcoming season, or two years; adding stability to the back end is definitely an area that could help the Jackets take a step forward.
If you can't find someone willing to trade you a defenseman, there's one other area you can impact the roster this season...
3. Depth forwards...
Speaking hypothetically here: Let's say teams aren't comfortable trading big assets in a Patrik Laine trade. You've tried to get a goaltender, or a defenseman, or an equivalent piece back the other way, but you keep getting turned down.
You know you have to deal him, but you also know you aren't going to get the best player back in any deal. So, maybe adding some depth and leadership to the lower half of your lineup is the right play?
With a roster full of young offensive players; adding some size, experience, and grit to the bottom-six could be very beneficial. There are worse things than having guys like Boone Jenner and Sean Kuraly around to lead the way. If the Jackets can get that kind of personality (or personalities) back in a deal, they could improve in the standings next year.
Obviously, you're not going to get that quality of player in most cases. So, if the value doesn't excite them too much, maybe some draft picks can be added into the deal. I'm sure there's a place for common ground in that kind of trade.
This is the most likely outcome of a "hockey trade" this summer, in my opinion. I don't expect the Jackets to get a crazy large return on Laine. I also don't expect them to trade someone like Kent Johnson, who would be at low dollar value after a sophomore slump.
But, I do think they're looking at ways to improve the roster in the short-term, so the young players can grow and fill it out in the long-term. That's why they went out and signed Sean Monahan and Jack Johnson last week.
As much for their play on the ice; adding veteran voices around the locker room is never a bad thing. Especially for a young team.
feed