Blue Jackets a Possible Swing Team Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Columbus Blue Jackets may end up being one of the most important teams to watch as the trade deadline approaches. According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, once they determine at the Olympic break if they’re buyers or sellers, the action could pick up in a significant way.

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Since making a coaching change, the Jackets have caught fire with a 5-1 run, putting themselves back into the conversation in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Heading into Tuesday night’s action, Columbus sat six points out of third place in the Metropolitan Division, while also holding a game in hand on the New York Islanders. They put up an eight-spot on the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday night. One of their potential trade pieces in Mason Marchment, scored a hat trick.

With how crowded and unpredictable the wild-card picture has become—especially with the Atlantic Division race as chaotic as it is—a top-three finish in the Metro might be the more realistic path for Columbus if they can keep building momentum.

The break will give the organization time to step back and evaluate whether this push is sustainable. If the Jackets feel they can stay in the mix, they could look to add help for a late-season run. One name linked to the Blue Jackets is Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks.

What If the Blue Jackets Become Sellers?

On the other hand, if they decide they’re unlikely to close the gap, Columbus could quickly become a major player on the selling side of the deadline market — and there aren’t many sellers yet.

The Blue Jackets have several notable pending unrestricted free agents, including Boone Jenner, Mason Marchment, Charlie Coyle, and Erik Gudbranson. While extensions are still possible for some of them, interest around the league is already picking up.

LeBrun notes that Jenner, in particular, would be a popular target thanks to his leadership and physical playoff style, while Coyle has reportedly drawn plenty of attention in a thin center market.

Either way, Columbus could be a true swing team in the weeks ahead.

Next: Trade Watch: Which Teams Still in the Mix For Mangiapane?