When the
Columbus Blue Jackets opened training camp in September, GM Don Waddell had an idea of what his trade deadline would look like: sell, sell, sell. Big picture, the team is in building mode, and this season was going to be a challenging one as they grieved the unimaginable loss of Johnny Gaudreau. The season opened, and the injury bug became relentless.
Sean Monahan,
Boone Jenner,
Kent Johnson,
Erik Gudbranson, the list goes on and on. Through it all, Columbus has persevered and finds itself in the playoff picture. And it has created a conundrum.
Waddell told me he couldn't fall asleep last week as he contemplated what to do. In any other season, he'd stick to the plan and sell. Realistically, is the team ready to win a Stanley Cup? But this season, the GM is not sure that's the right thing to do. How could he remove any players from this locker room, which has created such a special bond? Sounds like they are close to an extension for
Mathieu Olivier, who would have been an attractive target.
Ivan Provorov, a pending UFA, is the player Waddell is getting the most calls on. Waddell isn't sure he'll be able to re-sign Provorov -- he's tried, and he'll try again this week. Unless it's an offer Waddell can't refuse, there's a good chance Provorov stays. And there's a good possibility the Blue Jackets add, too. They've been scouting for forward depth.
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