Jiricek

Ok details of at the draft changes my response

Columbus' biggest need is not center, it's goalie. They have their core Centers of the future in Fantilli, Sillinger, Johnson, and Voronkov that can play up and down the lineup an on each other's wings. A transitional #1 center like Lindholm might be their answer, but I would think they would rather upgrade in net.

I'd argue this proposed team will be just as likely to win a cup in 24-25 as they are this year in 23-24. Jiricek only adds to the "contender" status not just in this year but in the long term future of the team as well and the emergence of Drury as a budding 2C with offensive production while still being defensively responsible has made KK an expendable asset when Ponomarev or a veteran center on a cheaper 1-year deal could play effectively the same role that KK is playing right now. KK is not a bad player by any means, he's just played his way down the lineup while other guys have increased their own stock.

Fantilli is the 1C of the future for sure, but I don't think the front office envisions Johnson playing C in the NHL. Voronkov has been a nice addition and has continued to get better over the course of the year so maybe he could be the future 2C, In the description I also mentioned building a trade package around Necas instead of KK so maybe that'd be a better fit if Voronkov does solidify himself over the remainder of the season as the 2C. I don't see any team eating Elvis' contract so you may be stuck with him in net and his cap hit unless they buy him out.

Johnson's shown he's more than capable to do both wing and center this year and with the way the refs have been throwing guys off the faceoff dot, you essentially need 2 capable centers on each line. He'll probably draw in on the wing, but I think he's going to take his fair share of faceoffs every night. Fantilli needs to be given the #1 spot for the rest of the year. He's shown he's able to do it and has gelled pretty well with Gaudreau, Jenner, and Laine. Sillinger and Voronkov both have looked really good as the #2 center.

As for trading Necas, I like the player, but I don't like the situation. The Jackets need to move 4 or 5 forwards before they think about adding another winger.

I'm one of the few people who believes Elvis is more a victim of a terrible defensive gameplan (see every third period played this year) and a revolving door of defensemen going on IR than him just being a bad goalie. I will say the future looks pretty good with Jet Greaves killing it in the AHL and Sergei Ivanov putting up impressive numbers on a bad team in the KHL as a 19 year old so maybe the Jackets bite the bullet and hold onto Elvis until either guy comes in and challenges him for the #1 spot.