Could the Blue Jackets' GM Change Affect Their Trade Deadline Plans?

Stuck near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Columbus Blue Jackets were expected to become sellers by the March 8 trade deadline. However, their firing of GM Jarmo Kekalainen on Thursday could affect whatever plans they had leading up to the deadline.

In Thursday's press conference, president of hockey operations and interim GM John Davidson said this was the right time to make a change and turn the page, adding the team is not winning enough right now. The Hockey News' Blue Jackets site has more on that.

Prior to their management change, several Blue Jackets had surfaced in the rumor mill.

The Hockey News Buffalo's Michael DeRosa cited The Fourth Period, linking the Sabres to Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who reportedly requested a trade last month. On Feb. 13, ESPN's Kevin Weekes posted on X (formerly Twitter) the New Jersey Devils had an interest in Merzlikins as well as Calgary Flames netminder Jacob Markstrom in their quest for a reliable starter. 

With trade discussions regarding Markstrom halted over salary retention, perhaps the Devils look into whether the Jackets would retain part of Merzlikins' $5.4-million average annual value through 2026-27.

DeRosa also noted Boone Jenner was the subject of media trade chatter amid reports of teams calling about the versatile 30-year-old Blue Jackets captain. The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reported Jenner didn't want to be traded, while Kekalainen said it would take an “over-the-top” offer before he would consider moving his captain. One wonders if that still holds true with Kekalainen now gone.

Jenner has two seasons remaining on his contract with an affordable $3.75-million cap hit and an eight-team no-trade list, according to PuckPedia. Combine that with his style of play, and it won't be surprising if Jackets interim GM John Davidson sees an increase in the volume of calls from clubs hoping to swing a deal.