The Columbus Blue Jackets had a relatively quiet trade deadline day, which was expected. GM Don Waddell had been open about his deadline plans, stating he would only look to add a depth forward or two.
That’s exactly what he did. The Blue Jackets claimed Christian Fischer off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings, which allowed them to make one less trade.
Columbus Claims Former Red Wing Christian Fischer
The Detroit Red Wings put Christian Fischer on waivers yesterday.
They also acquired Luke Kunin from the San Jose Sharks, a player who is familiar to head coach Dean Evason. Kunin played under Evason during their time with the Minnesota Wild, and the coach was a big fan of his game.
Blue Jackets Acquire Luke Kunin From San Jose Sharks
The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired forward Luke Kunin from the San Jose Sharks. <br>
Now reunited in Columbus, Kunin and Evason hope to help keep the Blue Jackets in a playoff spot.
At the end of the day, Waddell’s moves leading up to the deadline sent his roster the ultimate message of belief. Yes, he rewarded them by bringing in two forwards to add depth and experience, but more importantly, he kept the team together. He is giving them the opportunity to compete as a group.
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After everything this team has gone through since the summer, they have overcome countless hardships that have only brought them closer together. Now, they are working toward a common goal: the playoffs.
The Blue Jackets have a strong young core, and as I wrote before the deadline, the front office was expected to make a few small additions—similar to what the 2016-17 Toronto Maple Leafs did—allowing their young players to gain valuable experience in meaningful games.
Blue Jackets May Benefit From Acquiring Depth Forwards Over Top End Talent
The Columbus Blue Jackets sit in the first wild card spot with two days to go until the 2025 trade deadline. Their GM, Don Waddell, has spoken openly about their plan to reward the team by adding at the deadline.
The next 40+ days will be a whirlwind for this group, but they’ll battle through it. They’ve already proven to be a resilient team, overcoming some of the toughest challenges both on and off the ice.
Waddell recognizes that and understands its significance. He is giving this team a chance to stick together and make a run at the unthinkable—locking up a playoff spot.
Something no NHL "expert" had on their bingo card at the start of the season.
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