On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: Defenseman Ian Cole appears to be the only pending unrestricted free agent that the Blue Jackets have any interest in re-signing.
Cole is interested in staying, but at this time it’s not known if the Blue Jackets would make him an offer big enough for him to remain. If would likely take a multi-year deal in the $4 million per season range.
It’s possible that the Blue Jackets look to trade Cole’s rights if they can’t reach a deal. They could look to do the same with fellow UFA defenseman Jack Johnson. The Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings have come up, and watch for the Pittsburgh Penguins possible interest.
The Blue Jackets were looking to get a first-round pick for at the trade deadline for Johnson. One team had offered two later round draft picks.
Sources saying the Blues Jackets are not interested in Ilya Kovalchuk despite being interested in the past.
The Blue Jackets are not expected to buy out any players.
On the top 20 trade bait …
Craig Custance of The Athletic: There is plenty of trade talk going on, but it doesn’t mean there will be more trades made.
“Activity, as far as communication and bouncing ideas off others, is (higher),” said an assistant GM. “Whether it manifests itself any more in getting deals done, I don’t know.”
Top 20 players who could get dealt this offseason.
1. Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators
2. Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Arizona Coyotes
3. Phil Kessel – Pittsburgh Penguins
4. Max Pacioretty – Montreal Canadiens
5-7. Jeff Skinner, Noah Hanifin, and Justin Faulk – Carolina Hurricanes
8. Ryan O’Reilly – Buffalo Sabres
9. Rasmus Ristolainen – Buffalo Sabres
10. Jake Muzzin – Los Angeles Kings
11-12. Nino Niederreiter and Matt Dumba – Minnesota Wild
13. Philipp Grubauer – Washington Capitals
14. Vladislav Namestnikov – New York Rangers
15. Alex Galchenyuk – Montreal Canadiens
16. Andreas Athanasiou – Detroit Red Wings
17. Artem Anisimov – Chicago Blackhawks
18. Julius Honka – Dallas Stars
19. Nick Jensen – Detroit Red Wings
20. Torey Krug – Boston Bruins