Blue Jackets’ Most Likely Plans for Trade Deadline Revealed
The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the great stories of this hockey season. After finishing last in the Eastern Conference last season, and then suffering the devastating tragedy of losing Johnny Gaudreau last summer, and losing two more key players to injury before opening night, here they are in the thick of the playoff chase, holding down a Wild Card spot as six teams jockey for position separated by just three points. So what will the Blue Jackets' main target be at the trade deadline? According to insider Elliotte Friedman in his weekly blog, it will likely be their own captain, Boone Jenner. Jenner underwent shoulder surgery on the eve of the season opener back in October, and general manager Don Waddell, speaking with The Athletic last week, said he views the anticipated return of Jenner and injured defenseman Erik Gudbranson as “kind of like trade deadline acquisitions.”Certainly, bringing an All-Star and team leader into the lineup late in the season is as important an acquisition as you can make. Jenner is expected back in March, right around the deadline.Friedman added that Waddell isn't looking to subtract from his team at all, and "Columbus has little interest in mid-round picks for its unrestricted free agents."The list of Blue Jackets pending UFAs is a long one, including Ivan Provorov, Justin Danforth, Sean Kuraly, Mathieu Olivier up front, and Dante Fabbro and Jack Johnson. Provorov, of course, has the highest value, and is one of the top names on trade boards all over the league. But he is open to signing an extension to stay in Columbus, and the feeling seems to be mutual.The team rose to the top of the Wild Card standings after a stunning 5-1 win in Toronto Wednesday night. THE ADAM FANTILLI !!!!FIRST CAREER HAT TRICK 🧢🧢🧢@FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/EQXyKBkga3— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 23, 2025 Photo: © Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images...
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