Stay up to date on the latest news and rumors for the Columbus Blue Jackets who hold the fourth overall draft selection on night one of the draft from the Sphere from Las Vegas Nevada.

The Columbus Blue Jackets believe in the healthy Cayden Lindstrom at the fourth overall draft selection. Is is a Blue Jacket!

Congratulations to the Lindstrom family. First Blue Jackets’ pick under the Don. Was almost Martin Necas.

Discussion from Around the League

On CBJ tonight…

Per Mark Scheig from the Hockey Writers

This could be an “explosive” day for the Blue Jackets

On McGroarty…

Per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press

The Bruins, Sabres, Islanders, and Blue Jackets have checked in on Winnipeg first rounder Rutger McGroarty.

On Askarov…

Per Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff

Nashville Predators’ goaltender Yaroslavl Askarov to play next season in minors. Wonder how NHL teams will react.

4:25pm - Per Pierre LeBrun

Predators hoping to move into top 5 of the draft in Askarov trade.

Per Jeff Marek of Sportsnet

Ducks taking D Zeev Buium at #3 overall gaining traction.

12:35pm - Atkinson Buyout

Flyers Public Relations has announced they have bought out the contract of winger Cam Atkinson. The forward was a Columbus Blue Jackets’ staple for many seasons before being traded for the now retired Jakub Voracek. While still holding residency in central Ohio, there have been rumors that San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier would love to bring Atkinson to the Bay Area.

12:40pm - Stamkos Free Agent

Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic confirmed Lightning captain will test the unrestricted free agency waters on Monday, July 1st, 2024.

1:10 - CBJ/PHI Deal Dead

Per Anthony Di Marco of the Fourth Period via X

Deal between PHI and #cbj  is dead, I'm told.

Everything remains on the table for the #Flyers.

Update 1:25p - Kings/Habs Draft swap

Los Angeles moves down and acquire picks 26, 57, and 198

Montreal moves up to 21

Update 4:20pm - Alexandre Texier Traded to St. Louis


Blue Jackets deal French forward Alexandre Texier to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for their 2025 4th round draft selection and extend the pending RFA to a two year deal with $4.2M. The same deal as Chinakov. To be with the Blues. Middle six guy there now. Blue Jackets get the draft Captial without losing a pending RFA for notning. Tidy work.

Per Ek…

Still holding the 12th and 32nd overall picks of the first round, Philadelphia has actively been trying to move up tonight. They've talked about picks 4, 6, 7, and 11 and different stages. So far they've been unable to do so. Hearing they've run into ridiculously inflated -- even downright extortionate -- asking prices. They won't do it at the demanded costs which, at the priciest level, entailed an ask for ALL of the following: NHL roster forward Joel Farabee or Morgan Frost, the 12th over pick, Philadelphia's 2025 first round pick (albeit with deferable with lottery protection), the 2024 32nd overall pick (Florida's) from the Claude Giroux trade, AND Colorado's 2025 picks. Later picks had somewhat lesser asks but still beyond the Flyers' comfort level. They're still keeping at it right up to Draft time but unless the prices get more reasonable, they'll stand pat.

4:30pm - Lindstrom at 4

Jackets are expected to take Cayden Lindstrom from the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL per Aaron Portzline of the Athletic.

Rumors

As we know, here is who is in play as known by Don Waddell:

1. F Patrik Laine (note - in NHLPA Player Assistance Program) - two years left

2. 2024 1st round draft selection (4th overall) - report form Scheig yesterday is Philadelphia offered #12, a roster player, and a 2025 1st (assuming Colorado) for #4.

3. G Elvis Merzlikins - despite asking out, Waddell says nobody wants.

4. D Ivan Provorov - full season rental

Here is also who is rumored to be moving on

1. Jake Bean - UFA

2. Adam Boqvist - trade block

3. Alexandre Texier - UFA

Jackets also talking with Jay Woodcroft. Could join Todd as a two headed monster?

Four Nations Starting Six

🇸🇪: Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, Gustav Forsling, Filip Forsberg, Mika Zibanejad, William Nylander

🇫🇮: Juuse Saros, Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, Alex Barkov, Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho

🇨🇦: Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Brad Marchand, Connor McDavid, and Brayden Point (HC - Jon Cooper)

🇺🇸: Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, Adam Fox, Auston Matthews, Charlie McAvoy, Matthew Tkachuk (HC - Mike Sullivan)