3 young trade candidates at forward who would ignite the Blue Jackets in 2024-25

Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning

While it probably isn’t happening, there is a small chance the Tampa Bay Lightning shop and ultimately trade Anthony Cirelli. This is an organization attached to star player Steven Stamkos, and if it means keeping him around at the expense of a younger asset who doesn’t have a no-trade clause that can block the deal, Columbus should inquire. 

The Blue Jackets have enough cap space to absorb Cirelli’s contract, and like Martin Necas, he’s got enough experience to immediately turn this team’s fortunes. Trading for someone like Necas would be good, but if the Blue Jackets instead found a way to bring Cirelli to town, it would more than ignite a suffering fanbase. 

This is a player who has finished in the top five for the Selke Trophy twice; he’s another one on this list who could play alongside star forwards Adam Fantilli and Johnny Gaudreau. And after busting through the 20-goal barrier last year, Cirelli would be a threat to score every time the puck lands on his stick. 

While trading for the two-way forward would be great, doing so would cost the Blue Jackets a lot in future assets, and it’s something the organization may not be willing to move. But someone like Cirelli would give them a ton of stability with that long-term contract of his.