The Columbus Blue Jackets have some decisions to make that will be difficult. From a numbers standpoint, the 7F/3D/1G setup benefits Columbus. It would allow them to protect their more borderline forwards. Those forwards feature some potential as well as depth. Columbus has quite a few exemptions (including Zach Werenski) as well and yet have their share of headaches.
This is a bit intriguing for the Blue Jackets. Therefore, let’s just jump into it.
Forward Decisions
Columbus does not want Scott Hartnell on the roster. No one will ever know honestly. Therefore, that puts the Blue Jackets in an unenviable position. Brandon Saad, Brandon Dubinsky, Nick Foligno, Cam Atkinson, and Alexander Wennberg are locks. More than likely, Boone Jenner will be made safe as well.
Here is why. Boone Jenner has an A and there is no doubt that he will be protected. Columbus probably does not want to protect Hartnell but it is what it is. There may be a buyout or a trade but it is not known yet.
Who among the bottom six is worth getting those exemptions?
Ultimately, we’re talking about a team that has some depth to expose. It is also helpful that much of Columbus’s prospect pool is exempt. This decision comes down to Josh Anderson and William Karlsson.
Will Las Vegas take on the large contract of Clarkson? There are three years on that deal left. It will take a considerable sweetening of the pot. This might mean a prospect and pick perhaps. That could be as high as a first rounder but what year is the question.
If Anderson has to be exposed, there is a pretty high chance that Las Vegas will claim him. He is young and has potential to move into an eventual top six role somewhere.
What may happen…
Columbus has somewhat easy decisions here if the Blue Jackets choose the seven forwards method. The toughest part is waiting on Las Vegas to see if they take a trade or not. If that does not occur then Anderson will still be the odd man out.
Defense Decisions
The Blue Jackets are likely to have Seth Jones, Jack Johnson, and David Savard as their three protects in this scenario. This is an easy decision and one that does not take much forethought. Ryan Murray is young but can be easily exposed. That is because he has not progressed like most expected.
What if Zach Werenski had not progressed in the way he did? Thankfully, he is exempt from the expansion draft. On the other hand, it has forced the hand of Columbus when it comes to Murray. Murray realizes this is make or break no matter what.
If three defensemen are protected from Las Vegas, then it will be Ryan Murray who gets dangled. Murray has shown some flashes every other season. He comes at a moderate price ($2.825M) and Las Vegas knows this fact. Jack Johnson could be traded between now and then. That may help save Murray.
Goaltender Decisions
This is a very easy decision as Sergei Bobrovsky is the undisputed starter. The goalie is a perennial Vezina candidate and the obvious protect. It is safe to say that Anton Forsberg will not end up anywhere near Las Vegas. Joonas Korpisalo is a player that may wind up going westward. Maybe.
Projected protected players and their cap hits
Forwards
Brandon Saad – $6M through 2021
Brandon Dubinsky (NMC) – $5.85M through 2021
Nick Foligno (NMC) – $5.5M through 2021
Scott Hartnell (NMC) – $4.75M through 2019
Cam Atkinson – $3.5M through 2018
Boone Jenner – $2.9M through 2018
Alex Wennberg – restricted free agent
David Clarkson is exempt because of injury.
Defensemen
Seth Jones – $5.4M through 2022
Jack Johnson – $4.357M through 2018
David Savard – $4.25M through 2021
Zach Werenski is exempt.
Goalie
Sergei Bobrovsky (NMC) – $7.425M through 2019
Top two options on who they would most likely lose
Could a trade happen is the question? However, the two most likely choices appear to be Anderson and Korpisalo. That could change as the time draws closer to the expansion draft. Honestly, this is kind of a waiting game. At press time, nothing has happened yet. Matt Calvert or William Karlsson could be picked also.
If Columbus were to make a trade with Vegas to select/not select a player, who would it be and why.
I think Columbus is hoping for a trade in the worst way. There have been several rumors floating around and many involving David Clarkson. He would go for a pick and prospect. That is the hope anyway. After that, there are still rumors abound. If a trade falls through, Columbus will have to expose Josh Anderson potentially and that is something the Blue Jackets do not want to do. Columbus is hoping for the deal to save themselves from exposing a forward they do not want to. This could prove to be costly.
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