Are the Blue Jackets Close to Moving Vladislav Gavrikov?

Vladislav Gavrikov is one of two players in the NHL held out of the lineup for trade-related reasons. But is he actually close to being traded?

The Arizona Coyotes raised eyebrows earlier this week, announcing they'd made Jakob Chychrun a healthy scratch for the rest of this week for trade-related reasons. Not to be outdone, the Columbus Blue Jackets followed suit on Tuesday with Vladislav Gavrikov. 

Gavrikov, 27, lacks Chychrun's impressive offensive skills but plays a solid defensive game. Unlike the Coyotes blueliner, who is signed through 2024-25, the Blue Jackets rearguard is due to become a UFA on July 1. He carries an affordable $2.8-million cap hit and lacks no-trade protection.

It was reported last month that the Blue Jackets had given Gavrikov's agent permission to speak with other clubs about a contract extension. Withholding him from the lineup suggests trade discussions could be getting serious.

The Jackets could also be awaiting the outcome of Chychrun's situation as rumors have linked him to the Los Angeles Kings. Clubs that lose out in the bidding for the Coyotes defenseman could shift their focus toward Gavrikov.

If the Kings fail to land Chychrun, they could turn to Gavrikov, though Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman doesn't see him as a fit there unless he signs a contract extension. He observed that the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs have shown some interest.

The Jackets' rumored asking price for Gavirkov is a first and a third-round pick. The Athletic's Aaron Portzline believes the first-rounder is a starting point though it could prove difficult to land one. He thinks they could also be in the market for prospects, especially those that play center. Portzline speculated they could retain part of Gavrikov's cap hit or take back a bad contract to facilitate a deal.