The Columbus Blue Jackets have been coming up in trade rumors through the first month of the regular season, mainly in the seller market.
Last week, multiple reporters and outlets have shared the Columbus Blue Jackets listening into the prices for pending unrestricted free agent Ivan Provorov from the defensive group.
Provorov, 27, is a left handed shooting defenseman that has been playing on the right hand side this season under Dean Evason’s vision for the club. He has been the main partner to Zach Werenski.
Ivan Provorov is on a sweetheart deal for Columbus given his salary is already 30% retained by the Los Angeles Kings from the trade a season plus ago.
Utah has been the front runner until recently as they obtained Olli Maataa from the Detroit Red Wings.
Matheson continues to beat the drum for him as a fit for the Oilers on social media.
Eklund has precious mentioned Seattle values Provorov and Pittsburgh has looked as playoff hopes. Montreal has been recent in the last week wanting defensive help. I don’t see how the three teams make sense, especially the return for Columbus. These three teams are unlikely to make the postseason. Buying on a rental will not help their cause.
Recent forward pickups in James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Labanc have been whispered around teams, but with the start Columbus has had, they are not looking to sell. Reward the team for their play. Keep the players contributing to the success here. It could also boost their value come March.
Matt Olivier, Sean Kuraly, Zach Aston-Reese, and Jack Johnson are the other pending unrestricted free agents for the Blue Jackets.
What say you? If you’re the GM, who do you move and for what?
More to come…
Obituaries
https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/john-michael-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYM9fikwQbNkPlcwmTBaP2udJZw1oMBCmyXjp-GyttBpDhIoWnqY8lxQSQ_aem_zW3gpaArqsSO7D5ZI-Pdog
https://www.danjolell.com/obituary/matthew-ryan-gaudreau/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ33XNOJYMaSDfXxs3NcH7AY99EWfo9ObneKgMrpds4HwrC3U6Gkj0igr0_aem_qqWUcGWcBFf0sebC0an4RQ
Want to support the Gaudreau family? Here’s several ways how:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-madeline-and-baby-tripp-after-tragedy - Donate to Gaudreau Family Fund. At the time of writing it is at $691K
https://youtu.be/7ax8zyd8nk0?si=xoI63iohdyn2vVvD - View Johnny B Goode Tribute - personal touch. Loved this slowed down clip by the voice of Calgary. Skip to the 25 second mark.
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/giving - Nationwide Children's Hospital (Johnny's widow, Meredith's workplace) support the children today.
https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/ - Ohio Health Foundation (where donations from a joint mental health charity drive from Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine went) Johnny joined the mission after Laine attended the NHLPA assistance club last season
https://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca/ways-to-help/donate/ - Alberta Children's Hospital for those in need and touched by the loss
https://kidsportcanada.ca/donate/ - Donate to the Youth Sporting Charity in Canada (Johnny Gaudreau donated for money each goal he scored to the Calgary chapter)
https://sniderhockey.org/support-snider/ - the Philadelphia Youth Hockey Charity (where Johnny and Matthew are from and started their youth hockey)
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