The Blue Jackets should have a busy week ahead, with the offseason kicking into high gear in rapid order. This begins with the NHL Draft, which takes place this weekend, with the first round being held on Friday (starting at 7:00pm Eastern Time); and rounds 2-7 taking place on Saturday (starting at 11:00am Eastern Time).
Simply put, this is Don Waddell's time to prove his worth to the organization. The Jackets are in no man's land right now, having missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, while not finishing far enough out to land a coveted high draft pick.
With all of the early offseason noise surrounding American born players requesting trades from their fledgling markets, naturally everyone has an opinion on our beloved Zach Werenski. The reigning Norris Trophy winner still has two years left on his deal-but, now is certainly the time for this team to turn the corner, if they would like to keep him around beyond the near future.
A lot of this team's direction will be decided with their first round pick on Friday night. Currently, they own the #14 selection, but that could very well change. Lets take a look at the options they have in front of them.
Option #1: use the pick.
The most obvious outcome is, in my opinion, the least likely to happen. You might ask me "why is it the least likely to happen if it's the most obvious?". To that, I would answer: because Don Waddell and the Blue Jackets can no longer take a patient path.
They picked in this #14 slot last year, and landed a very good prospect in Jackson Smith. Quite honestly, there is nothing wrong with picking here again, as the odds are pretty high that a similar type of player falls into their laps.
Except for one thing: are they really in a position to wait two or three (or more) years for this player to develop, before making an impact?
No. This team needs to shift into win now mode and try to keep the core that has been assembled here, around for a few seasons. By signing Charlie Coyle for the next six seasons, Waddell's signal to the 5th Line is that they are going to do just that. Keeping this pick feels like a failure to that approach.
Option #2: trade up or down in the draft.
This option could be interesting, depending upon what other moves the team might be able to make. For example, if they could scoot up as high as the top-5; they could land a player that could help them soon, rather than later.
Of course, to do that, they are probably gutting someone out of their current roster. So, that does not help them "win now", as we just discussed. With that said, adding a player that could step in and play now, may make someone else expendable in a deal for an upgrade.
There is also the potential of moving down and acquiring more picks, or another asset. This wouldn't surprise me, however, it also feels like it would be a bit of a failure on Waddell's part. After all, do more draft picks help them immediately?
Only if those draft picks are turned around as part of another deal. I don't want to see the Blue Jackets adding draft capital this weekend. In my opinion, that would be bad.
Option #3: trade this pick for immediate help.
This is the outcome we should all be hoping for, as a fanbase.
Ideally, Waddell is able to put together a package surrounding this pick, some his prospects, and maybe a roster player or two; in order to upgrade his top two scoring lines. A big splash like this could help this team be in a much better situation next season and beyond.
There have been plenty of rumors swirling around the league, and it really feels like big things are about to shake loose. Some already have. Hopefully, the Blue Jackets are doing their due diligence and are able to strike on a player that needs a change of scenery.
Fingers crossed that we know the answer to these questions before the team comes to the stage to make pick #14 on Friday.
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