[Rumour] Blue Jackets and Predators zeroing in on blockbuster trade

[sureLoss]

Potential blockbuster forming up.

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/...intensify.html

The Blue Jackets may be on the verge of a big trade with a once-upon-a-time rival in the Central Division.

Multiple sources have told The Dispatch that trade talks between the Blue Jackets and the Nashville Predators have intensified in recent days, with Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Predators GM David Poile zeroing in on a blockbuster.

The two clubs would seem a perfect fit.

The Blue Jackets have made it clear they'd be willing to trade struggling center Ryan Johansen, and the Predators have a desperate need for an offensive boost, especially in the form of a prototype No. 1 center. Johansen, 23, was MVP of the All-Star Game last season, but he has fallen off precipitously this season.

Meanwhile, the Predators' most abundant asset -- defense -- is also the Blue Jackets' biggest need. It's unlikely Nashville would trade Shea Weber or Roman Josi, but 21-year-old Seth Jones, the No. 4 overall pick in 2013, could be available.

Many NHL scouts and experts project Jones, the son of former NBA player and current NBA assistant coach Popeye Jones, as a future No. 1 defenseman.

The Blue Jackets may also want to unload a long-term contract in the deal. Two names that have been mentioned in a possible deal with Nashville: defenseman Fedor Tyutin and forward Scott Hartnell, who was drafted by the Predators in 2000 and spent the first six years of his NHL career in Music City.

There are several contracts the Blue Jackets may want to unload: Jared Boll, Rene Bourque, Gregory Campbell and David Clarkson, but it might be hard to find takers for those players.

Also, Blue Jackets prospect forward Kerby Rychel could be in play. Rychel, one of three first-round picks in 2013, has barely sniffed the NHL despite emerging as a point-a-game player in the American Hockey League. The Dispatch reported on Sunday that Rychel has requested a trade.

The Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks are also said to be pursuing Johansen, who has said repeatedly that he doesn't want to be traded by Columbus. But he recognizes the situation.

[topfiverecords]

4th overall for 4th overall. Need for need. Fair as it gets.

[Huntingwhale]

Johansen for Jones would be pretty damn crazy. The Preds would get that coveted projected #1C they have craved for so long and very well might put them over the hump if he can return to playing like he did last season. The BJ's would get that projected #1D they have never had in the history of their organization, if Jones can live up to his billing.

Can't recall the last time a #1C was traded for a #1D.

[TheScorpion]

Yeah, it's Johansen-for-Jones. Will bet anything on it.

[Locke]

Johansen for Raymond. Get 'er done! It would have to happen right now to make sense.

[BigRed]

I dunno. I wouldn't trade Jones, period.


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[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Locke

Johansen for Raymond. Get 'er done! It would have to happen right now to make sense.

Not sure if you're serious as I didn't see any mention of hanowski

[dammage79]

Just hope the Flames can snag Rychel. I don't mind certain players moving for him either. I'd gladly move Poirier. I just don't have a ton of faith Poirier can reach an impact level in the NHL. Still too early to really project his future but I like relying on my gut feels.

Out of the D prospect I wouldn't move the Swedes. The rest is fair game IMO.

As for Jones for Johansen. Makes sense. Although I am a bit surprised that NSH would part with him. If this all comes to fruition of course. Bt when there's a ton of smoke around two mid-market teams, there's usually a bunch of fire.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Makes a fair bit of sense, but the quote only talks about the Blue Jackets unloading salary. I would think that the Preds might want to dump some salary, if they are taking on Johansen.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by BigRed

I dunno. I wouldn't trade Jones, period.


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Not for a first-line centre you need more?

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[Tinordi]

This is one example of why you draft BPA and not from positions of need. If the rumoured deal goes through then Nashville trades from a position of strength to address a need. If Nashville had used the draft to acquire a center they would have not garnered a player as good as Johansen.

[Poe969]

How long until Jones demands out of CBJ because of Tortz?

[CliffFletcher]

Wouldn't there have to be a fair chunk of change in salary going back to the Jackets? Maybe Gaustad?

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by BigRed

I dunno. I wouldn't trade Jones, period.


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Literally the only thing I would trade Jones for is a legit #1C. They have never had one before. And they are actually in a position to do so. While I think Jones will be the better overall player, the Preds absolutely need that #1C if they ever expect to get over that playoff hump. Weber isn't getting any younger and their window is pretty much from now until he starts to decline.

Quite the gamble, but one that needs to be taken if they ever hope to truly contend in the West.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Poe969

How long until Jones demands out of CBJ because of Tortz?

I think you should call him "Torts" because "Tortz" at a glance had me thinking "Trotz," and then going, "What the hell??"

[Harry Lime]

The Preds can fit Hartnell under the cap if they give Jarnkrok and Forsberg bridge deals which expire at the same time that Riberio, Nystrom and Jackman go UFA. Hartnell has value, even with that contract. Gets complicated pretty fast, so I can understand why they call it a blockbuster.

If they agree on Jones and RyJo as the main pieces, everything else becomes a numbers game. I can see this happening quickly.

[GranteedEV]

Ellis+Ekholm for RyJo would actually be a better trade for both teams.

[RM14]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

This is one example of why you draft BPA and not from positions of need. If the rumoured deal goes through then Nashville trades from a position of strength to address a need. If Nashville had used the draft to acquire a center they would have not garnered a player as good as Johansen.

They could have drafted Sean Monahan

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by RM14

They could have drafted Sean Monahan

True, but I think Monahan is looking like a much better player than what he was projected to be at the draft.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

True, but I think Monahan is looking like a much better player than what he was projected to be at the draft.

His suspension and coinciding omission from the WJC roster really messed with his draft ranking. If things went the other way leading up to the draft, Monahan had a real good shot at #1 IMO. Or at the very least, taken over Barkov.