The Columbus Blue Jackets currently occupy the first wild card spot in the East with a chance to catch the New Jersey Devils. They have 68 points, while the Devils have 72, but the Blue Jackets have two games in hand.
At this point, they seem to control their own destiny. If that’s the case, it would be wise for Columbus to look at a team like the Buffalo Sabres and see which players make the most sense for them to try and acquire.
Columbus Blue Jackets Lines, Defensive Pairings, & Scratches For Tonight's Game vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning play for
the final time this season tonight at Amalie Arena.
Jordan Greenway
Jordan Greenway is the type of player who would fit in well with the Blue Jackets' bottom six. He plays a hard game and is a big-bodied forward. Although he doesn’t score a ton, his style of play is built for the playoffs. If Greenway is made available, the asking price would likely be a draft pick or a roster player, which is doable for Columbus.
Jason Zucker
The next name is veteran Jason Zucker. If the Sabres can’t extend him and opt to trade him, the Blue Jackets should look to acquire him. He would fit into the middle-six alongside Boone Jenner or Sean Monahan (when he's healthy) and has a ton of playoff experience from his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He would more than likely be a rental, but he’s someone who could provide big goals when needed. The asking price for Zucker would be higher than Greenway, but still reasonable.
Columbus To Activate Forward Yegor Chinakhov From Injured Reserve
The Blue Jackets will activate forward Yegor Chinakhov from injured reserve. He will play tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Chinakhov played in 21 games before suffering a back injury. In those 21 games, he scored 7 goals and had 14 points.
Alex Tuch
Lastly, Alex Tuch should be the main target on the Sabres for the Blue Jackets. Not only would he be a great addition, but he’s also signed beyond this season, giving him more time to gel with the team. The asking price would be higher than for Zucker or Greenway, but Tuch is a skilled forward who brings leadership and intensity to the Blue Jackets' roster. It may cost a high draft pick, a prospect, and potentially a roster player, but it likely wouldn’t require giving up a key piece of the future.
Columbus Blue Jackets (68 pts) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (74 pts) Game Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning play for
the third and final time of the season tonight. Columbus is 1-1 vs. the
Lightning this season.
Considering how the Sabres are playing this season, they will need to make changes if they want to improve. The Blue Jackets and GM Don Waddell should capitalize on that.
Blue Jackets' Rumor Report: Provorov & Trade Deadline Needs
With the NHL Trade Deadline only four days away, the Columbus Blue Jackets' rumor mill is heating up. The Blue Jackets are in the race for the final wild card spot in the East, and although they don't want to mess with the future, they want to add to reward the team for their good play this season.