The NHL Expansion draft has come and gone, and so has the news of the day. With everything of what was being leaked this afternoon by former TSN Insider Frank Seravalli and his masterful work at his job, the Blue Jackets lost defender Gavin Bayreuther in the draft to the Seattle Kraken.
Bayreuther signed with Columbus last season after being part of the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals with the Dallas Stars. According to Aaron Portzline of the Athletic, the Blue Jackets did not even add a sweetener or make a trade to move on him from; Seattle just wanted him.
Seattle made it clear in their efforts during the draft to prioritize salary cap space for the future of the franchise, and taking a pending unrestricted free agent helps that case, but that leaves Columbus with its main roster makeup from last season to still tinker with.
What does this move mean to the organization?
They have Max Domi out injured until early December; Gustav Nyqvist back for the 2021-2022 season; and Swedish forward Kevin Stenlund and defenseman Gabriel Carlsson. They also have one less free agent to negotiate with, giving the Monsters a hole of a veteran defender to help develop the kids in the system.
For Columbus, A+ effort to keep the team together and not lose a roster player. Simple hockey lucky by Seattle management here to not pick the best player available.
Thoughts? Countdown to the Entry Draft...
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