Columbus Blue Jackets Could Be Busy Leading Up To the Trade Deadline
The Columbus Blue Jackets are increasingly appearing in the NHL rumor mill, with multiple players sharing their displeasure. How likely are they to make some trades?
Sitting near the bottom of the NHL's Eastern Conference standings, the Columbus Blue Jackets are poised to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. They're likely to become sellers leading up to the trade deadline.
Jason Newland of THN's Columbus site shared a report from TSN's Darren Dreger last Friday, saying Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen is willing to entertain trade offers for Patrik Laine and Ivan Provorov.
Dreger also mentioned Boone Jenner was drawing interest, but it's unlikely the Jackets will move their heart-and-soul captain.
With the 25-year-old Laine entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program over the weekend, we can conclude he's not available as a trade option. Provorov, meanwhile, was acquired last summer from the Philadelphia Flyers in a three-way deal involving the Los Angeles Kings. Newland saw that move as a stop-gap until promising defensemen such as David Jiricek were ready.
Speaking of Jiricek, Newland suggested the Blue Jackets may have mismanaged him. The young defenseman is frustrated over his demotion to their AHL affiliate in Cleveland on Jan. 18.
“I play good hockey in the NHL,” the 20-year-old blueliner told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. “I'm an NHL player right now. That's my opinion: that I should be in the NHL right now.”
Jiricek's frustration over his situation could draw attention from rival GMs seeking a young blueliner with top-pairing potential. His name could surface in the rumor mill, but it's doubtful the Blue Jackets will trade such a promising asset.
Elvis Merzlikins made headlines earlier this month when he told reporters he had asked for a trade, though his agent subsequently clarified that request was not formally made. Newland recently cited ESPN's Emily Kaplan reporting the 29-year-old Blue Jackets goaltender is now in a much better place.
If Merzlikins wanted out of Columbus, his inconsistent play and $5.4-million average annual value through 2026-27 makes it difficult to move him during a season with many clubs carrying limited cap space.