It’s that time again! Trade deadline! The Blue Jackets have provided us such a whirlwind of a March that no one seems to know for sure if Jarmo and JD shall be buyers, sellers or standard bearers at the close Wednesday’s activities. With that in mind, all of us at the Union Blue decided to have a little fun. We challenged ourselves to each come up with the top three players we would keep, and the top three players we would deal. There were a few guidelines:
1. Only players who have dressed for the Blue Jackets team this season are eligible for consideration
2. Sergei Bobrovsky is excluded from consideration (given his quality play lately, we figured we’d all pick him anyway)
3. Players who have a no-movement or no-trade clause are still eligible for our lists, but the designation should be noted with an “NMC” or “NTC”.
So welcome to a little time inside our brains. Remember, this is what we want to happen, not what we think will happen…read along, see if you agree with any of us, or sound off in the comments as to why we might just be crazy. We’ll be watching…we may have some off-side wagers involved as well!
@CBJProspects
I’m basing my choices on what my focus is – the future. The players I have as being moved I don’t see being part of the long term future and one I think could use the change of scenery. For my “untouchables” I chose guys I see as the keys to this teams future.
Trade:
1) Adrian Aucoin(NMC/NTC): Veteran Dmen are a common commodity at the trade deadline. Aucoin isn’t your usual deadline pickup where the player may have had long playoff runs – Aucoin’s longest run came last season with the Coyotes (11games). Aucoin could be at least worth a draft pick even if its a late one.
2) David Savard: Savard appears stuck/passed by many other young defensemen and this could be a “change of scenery” trade which would lead to another player that needs a change of scenery coming back or at least a draft pick or 2 in the middle rounds.
3) Mark Letestu: Outside of Vinny Prospal, Letestu is our leading scorer among UFAs and outside of one of our younger guys that would seem untouchable, Letestu could get the highest return for a team looking for a 2nd-3rd line center. I’d say he is worth a player/prospect and a pick or two. Now Portzline did send out that we were talking extension with Letestu which I’ll admit semi shocks me.
Protect:
1) Ryan Johansen: Johansen, I believe, is a big part of this team’s future. Ryan just needs two things: to learn how to finish (which I’ve read most believe he’ll be a monster at) and to play with some skilled linemates.
2) Tim Erixon: Erixon was one of, if not the, key part of the Rick Nash trade and has been earning fans nightly with his play. Erixon could develop into a top d-man for the Jackets.
3) Artem Anisimov: Why would you wanna stop the Arty Party? Okay I kid, but Anisimov has shown he’s probably gonna be the team’s main offensive weapon for the next few seasons combining with Johansen, Atkinson and hopefully whoever we select in the first round this year.
@TheCoachUB
When looking at the players to trade, I looked at the whole team in terms of players I thought possessed more value in trade right now than they would to the Blue Jackets when they are finally a real playoff contender in a couple years. For the players to keep, it is not necessarily that they will be key players on a contending CBJ club, but that moving them now is selling low, when there is time for these players to either increase their trade value before their contracts are up, or to play their way into being key players for the future CBJ.
Trade:
1) Mark Letestu: I’ve liked what Letestu has brought this season, I just don’t see where he fits moving forward. He seems primed to be one of the players that needs to be replaced with someone more skilled. On a good team he’s probably a 3rd/4th liner who spends no time on the powerplay. The fact he’s played top 6 minutes with PP time has inflated his stats to the point he’ll be looking for $2.5-3.0M as a UFA this summer. You can’t be paying your 9th or 10th best forward that much.
2) RJ Umberger (NTC): He’s started slow two years in a row now, and he’s not getting any younger. By the time the Jackets are finally competitive he’s going to be over 30 years old, playing on the third line, and earning top six money. But he’s still a warrior and someone who always thrived in the playoffs. He has an NTC but I could see him waiving it if a team like Boston came calling. He’d fetch more in trade now than he ever will in the future.
3) Jack Johnson: Okay calm down and stop yelling at me. Jack Johnson is a tremendous athlete who has all the physical tools to be a superstar. I just don’t see him ever getting the mental side of the game figured out enough to be that player. Given him and James Wisniewski on the roster, there is only room for one player of their ilk on a competing team, plus a spot needs to be made for Ryan Murray. While Wiz has his issues staying on the ice, he is also older, pricier, and possesses a no trade clause. Any move trading Wiz would be more of a salary dump than a hockey move. I could see pro scouts loving Johnson enough to send significant value back to the Jackets.
Protect:
1) Brandon Dubinsky: I love Dubinsky. He’s my favorite player on this team and someone I hope to see play here for a very long time. Add to that his high salary, injuries, and low production this season and you have a pretty low trade value. Dealing him now would be a huge waste. I’d like to see him stay healthy, bounce back and work his way into true keeper status.
2) Derick Brassard: I haven’t seen my compadres lists yet, but I will be shocked if one of them doesn’t have Brassard listed. Now I don’t necessarily see him as a cornerstone player, I just don’t see the point in trading him now. He’s got a pretty hefty contract for his output, has one year left on his deal, and is still young enough to get better. Keep him another year and see if he can blossom with a little more talent around him. If he has plateau’d, then look to deal him at next year’s trade deadline. His prorated cap hit at that point won’t even matter, plus he’s an RFA. He’ll probably fetch more then than now even if he continues to play exactly the same.ac
3) Nikita Nikitin: I liken Nikitin to Brassard. He’s been disappointing after his breakout last season, but why trade him now? He’s got another year on his contract. Give him the chance to come back next year and improve his play. If he improves it enough to keep above Murray, Moore, Erixon, etc. on the depth chart, then keep him. If not he would make a perfect rental defenseman at next year’s deadline.
@Canadan82
The 2013 Blue Jackets have not let me down, and in fact, have proven that talent does not outweigh sheer effort and will power. While their run to the playoffs has been impressive, I began the year committed to a full rebuild in hopes of watching the groundwork laid for a franchise, and I am not going to let the thrill of the 8th seed water that down in any way. I hope they sell.
Trade:
1) RJ Umberger: The list of reasons is obvious, starting and finishing with him flat out not accomplishing what he needs to here. Between consistently getting beat on puck battles, coughing up the puck in vulnerable areas, and not being all that offensively effective, it’s time to part ways.
2 ) Fedor Tyutin: He’s generating some offense in some respects, but I also think he’s costing them in the same category. Point shots blistered high and wide, aimless passing, and not taking the smart shot at the right time make him an offensively mediocre option. Certainly not enough positive there to justify his defensive lapses and cap hit for the next umpteen years.
3) Mark Letestu: He’s scoring goals at great times for Columbus and proving that he could make a solid impact on opposition rosters leading into the playoffs. As an upcoming UFA, he could also always return after the season for a new contract. Adding assets while potentially retaining one in the long run sounds great to me. Wishful thinking of course.
Protect:
1) Nick Foligno: I’ve been really impressed with Nick this year, despite his numbers. He has a lot of flash and seems to have bought into Columbus in a big way. He has the moves that get people out of their seat, and while he has some work to do on finishing, I believe he can be a strong impact on the team for years to come.
2) Brandon Dubinsky: I’ve been a bit disappointed by his lack of presence on ice this year due to injury, but Dubi really won me over early with his attitude and presence around the locker room (or so I hear). For a guy to go out on the ice and play humble hockey the way he does, I can’t imagine having him on the roster will provide anything but positives as the Jackets transition into a contender.
3) Artem Anisimov: I wanted to be original in my three, but I really struggled to find players who can justify their positions on Columbus better than these three. Arty scores highlight reel goals at fantastic times, plays on both ends of the ice, and has been an excellent addition to the team.
@AlisonL
My general line of thinking for this year’s deadline is that you’re actually in a place of power when you don’t have to do anything. Our playoff contention is fun, but I have perennially been focused on long-term sustained success. So, as far as moves, I considered who has to go and who has to stay to get this organization lean and mean for the future.
Trade:
1) RJ Umberger: People have been down on RJ lately, but I have actually come to see some of his true game showing through. That being said, if he’s playing well – it’s time to move him because that contract is an epic albatross around his “trade neck”.
2) Derick Brassard: Most of all, Derick now falls into the “change of scenery” type player. Much like RJ, Derick has been long hampered by rumors of sub-par performance. Lucky for us all his play, for the first time in a long time, is stepping up (and before the pressure of fighting for the playoffs is gone!) So “trade high” and wish him well!
3) Steve Mason: This one hurts. I am deathly afraid of the fact that all the goalies that are worth a damn are getting snatched up early this season – and I don’t want to have to pull a G from Springy for the rest of the year. But, I’m even more afraid that we take Mase with us to the end of the season and end up losing him for nothing. The demand for goalies is high – let’s see if we can give Steve the change he probably needs desparately and at least get something back for him before we lose Mase to free agency.
Protect:
1) Artem Anisimov: Oh Artem. How you bring me joy. You’ve got that nasty backhand, that huge frame that you carry elegantly across the ice, and the few quotes that you do give the press are sheer gold to a fan base clamoring for swagger. Artem can’t be a long term leader in the traditional sense fans demand, but his on-ice play speaks more than enough for me to say keep this man!
2) Matt Calvert: Everyone loves a redemption story, and Matty’s breakout year, followed by a year in Springfield and a return to glory in 2013 is not only feel good but “points good”. The guy brings tremendous energy and is rounding out the final year of his ELC when the entire league still doesn’t really pay attention to him. Sign him – and build a solid long-term bottom 6 with him in the mix.
3) Nick Foligno: his numbers aren’t showing it this year, but Nick brings a lot to the team and the ice every night. The guy has some slick hands and just needs a little more on the finish side. Arguably, I’ll take him and his locked in deal as we build up this team as a good deal both on-ice and off.
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