According to Elliotte Friedman, the Columbus Blue Jackets are a team to watch this offseason. Describing their situation as one where the team is looking to strike big, Friedman hints this might be their year to make some noise in the trade market or during free agency.
Related: Every NHL Team’s Most Likely Offseason Trade Piece: [Part 2]
Noting that the franchise is likely looking to do something big, particularly in the scoring department, Friedman was reminded the Blue Jackets had previously struck out on Mitch Marner last offseason and still haven’t really replaced Artemi Panarin who they lost in free agency to the New York Rangers.
Friedman said, “I don’t see a match, but I can see them being in on Laine.”
From the Winnipeg perspective, Friedman believes the team is wondering if a Laine deal is inevitable and other reports — like the one that came earlier this week from TSN’s Darren Dreger that the Jets are serious about a Laine trade — suggest the sniper could be moved. But, do the Blue Jackets have what the Jets would want? “You’re not trading Jones and you’re not trading Werenski,” Friedman said. I’m the end, he didn’t see a match there.
Offer Sheet Mathew Barzal?
Jeff Marek asked if the Blue Jackets might consider an offer sheet for Mathew Barzal and Friedman said he didn’t know. It was more the doubtful didn’t know than the he really wasn’t sure type of ‘I don’t know.’ He didn’t think a team would do an offer sheet under the unique set of circumstances the NHL and its teams are facing right now.
Still, Friedman said he’s heard from other teams there is a belief out there that the Blue Jackets are trying to do something and a trying to make news and “rattle the cages a bit.”
Next: Every NHL Team’s Most Likely Offseason Trade Piece: [Part 3]
