Player Discussion: official trade deadline 2025 // discussion thread

[Viqsi]

my ideal deadline is something like:

1. adding a rental wing at a low cost
2. using the MIN 1st to add a bona fide top six forward with at least 2 (but ideally 3+) years of term remaining.
3. making a decision on provorov (ideally signing him to a short-term, orlov-style extension – if that can't be reached, trading him and finding a replacement defenseman)

for #1, the most obvious candidate is nyquist. would also have a lot of interest in nick bjugstad, but he likely works better as a free agent target this summer.

for #2, i'd be looking at names like:

• jared mccann
• jordan kyrou
• pavel zacha
• alex tuch
• oliver bjorkstrand

caveat on the last two guys there being that they only have two years left rather than 3+. mccann is my personal top target given that he's apparently available and has a really friendly contract, but STL is definitely out of it and kyrou's NTC doesn't kick in until this summer. seems like a perfect don waddell target – a highly-skilled rush creator with term and star power.

The rap on Kyrou is that he's absolutely lost when it comes to defense and turnovers.

Why would this be a player we target? We have top of the line forwards and first PP players already. You go for another if he has a special quality that we can use. I think Tuch would have a lot to offer.

Tuch is to Buffalo as Jenner is to Columbus, only moreso. I can't guarantee your safety if any of y'all try asking about him outside of this board.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Could Vegas look at Provorov given Theodore's injury? What do they have to offer?

 

[Indy18]

Could Vegas look at Provorov given Theodore's injury? What do they have to offer?

Nothing we would be interested in...they don't have either their 25 or 26 1st anymore.

 

[CoachWithNoTeam]

Nothing we would be interested in...they don't have either their 25 or 26 1st anymore.

Depending on whether Vegas would entertain such a thing, I'd be okay with acquiring a 2027 1st in this situation, assuming that we're just selling and trying to net as much value in picks as possible. We might even be able to also ask for a 2nd in 2025 or 2026 since the top asset would be a few years down the road. They're all assets likely to be flipped in the summer anyway.

 

[S1N4TR4]

Depending on whether Vegas would entertain such a thing, I'd be okay with acquiring a 2027 1st in this situation, assuming that we're just selling and trying to net as much value in picks as possible. We might even be able to also ask for a 2nd in 2025 or 2026 since the top asset would be a few years down the road. They're all assets likely to be flipped in the summer anyway.

not me.

if we’re obtaining a first in a provy deal, that first needs to be a 2026 first, max.

 

[majormajor]

not me.

if we’re obtaining a first in a provy deal, that first needs to be a 2026 first, max.

2027 and 2028 1sts are great trade chips we could use at those deadlines if we're making a run.

And especially trading with an older club (like Vegas), there's a better chance that the pick will be higher.

 

[ViD]

Wonder what it would take to get both Bjorkstrand and McCann from Seattle ?

Both have decent contracts for a couple more years.

Minnesota 1st + Luca ?

 

[SteelCityCannon]

Wonder what it would take to get both Bjorkstrand and McCann from Seattle ?

Both have decent contracts for a couple more years.

Minnesota 1st + Luca ?

I think it would take more than that just to get McCann honestly.

Id give that first for Bjork all day though.

 

[Jovavic]

We have like three players named Luca, you're gonna have to specify

 

[ViD]

We have like three players named Luca, you're gonna have to specify

LDBB obviously

 

[Jovavic]

LDBB obviously

Not so obvious, I could see Seattle interested in all three

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Not so obvious, I could see Seattle interested in all three

Probably have to send all three plus the Minny 1st.

 

[CBJx614]

I'm not gonna sit here and pretend like I know McCann very well, but I have to think if the FO thinks LDBB truly has top 6 potential in the next year or two they won't move him unless it's a major trade. I think it's fair to say his potential is around .6-.75 PPG solid two way guy and those ELC and bridge contracts are worth their weight in gold if they are producing. And while we might not be worried about cap space now, guys like KJ and Fantilli have the potential to change that with a single season.

 

[majormajor]

Probably have to send all three plus the Minny 1st.

Pretty accurate in my opinion. But I don't think McCann should be a Jackets target. I don't think we should be putting that many of our chips towards another top six forward, which is a strong area for us long term.

I'm not gonna sit here and pretend like I know McCann very well, but I have to think if the FO thinks LDBB truly has top 6 potential in the next year or two they won't move him unless it's a major trade. I think it's fair to say his potential is around .6-.75 PPG solid two way guy and those ELC and bridge contracts are worth their weight in gold if they are producing. And while we might not be worried about cap space now, guys like KJ and Fantilli have the potential to change that with a single season.

When I make lineups for us for 2026 or 2028 or whatever, I wonder if folks here have bothered to add up the number of forwards we have. It might be tough to get LDBB in a top six role, or if he makes it, he's replacing someone else well qualified. So I'm open to using him as a trade chip, but for that same reason I just mentioned, not in a trade for a generic top six forward like McCann.

 

[CBJx614]

Pretty accurate in my opinion. But I don't think McCann should be a Jackets target. I don't think we should be putting that many of our chips towards another top six forward, which is a strong area for us long term.



When I make lineups for us for 2026 or 2028 or whatever, I wonder if folks here have bothered to add up the number of forwards we have. It might be tough to get LDBB in a top six role, or if he makes it, he's replacing someone else well qualified. So I'm open to using him as a trade chip, but for that same reason I just mentioned, not in a trade for a generic top six forward like McCann.

But just because they think it's a top 6 guy, doesn't mean that he's got to play in the top 6. He could be a perfect 3C that can play higher up as needed for injuries.

It's not that I'm entirely against trading him, it's just that if we are trading him it better be in a package for a damn good top 6 upgrade

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

So... Seth Jones reunion, anyone?

 

[MissADD]

So... Seth Jones re-union, anyone?

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

So... Seth Jones reunion, anyone?

Nashville is looking at him?

 

[TingleBiscuit]

Nashville is looking at him?

I guess when he said he wanted to a chance to win, he really meant one game...ever.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

While most of the staff and players headed off to warmer climes during the break, Waddell continued to grind behind the scenes. Not only did he spend a few days with AHL Cleveland, but he’s kept pushing to add an impact forward that could help the Jackets over the next two months.

Waddell has made it clear that he’s not interested in trading a first-round pick unless it’s for a young, impact forward who has remaining term on his contract or is a restricted free agent when his current contract expires.

A more likely trade is a mid-round pick of a mid-level prospect for an established veteran who is a pending unrestricted free agent.
One name — and it’s a familiar one — may have risen to the top of Waddell’s list.

Veteran forward Gustav Nyquist, who spent three seasons with the Blue Jackets beginning in 2019-20, is a pending UFA with the Nashville Predators, who have been one of the NHL’s biggest disappointments this season after a major offseason investment.

Nyquist, 35, has just 9-11-20 in 53 games with the Predators, but he’s one season removed from a career-best 23-52-75 in 81 games. He can play on either side of center, plus he’s been a reliable penalty killer and solid second power-play contributor throughout his career.

According to Puckpedia, Nyquist carries a salary-cap hit of $3.185 million, but that won’t be a problem for the Blue Jackets. Nyquist, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild at the 2023 trade deadline, left the Blue Jackets on good terms and has remained close friends with several players.

Waddell’s desire to add a forward became more pronounced when center Sean Monahan went down on Jan. 7 with a sprained wrist, an injury that ultimately required surgery. He could return before the end of March, but it’s unclear how limited he’d be — on faceoffs, especially — with a surgically repaired wrist.

@majormajor may get his wish