Équipe: 2023-24 Blue Jackets de Columbus

Date de création initiale: 5 mai 2023

Publié: 5 mai 2023

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

A look at the low-cost moves we can make to get things established.

Top Priorities:
1. Fill Gavrikov Hole: Left Handed PKer that can pair with Peeke, Boqvist or Jiricek
2. Improve C Depth, Ideally at PK as well
3. Find Werenski a Partner
4. Improve Righty Playmaking

Voronkov and Sillinger start in the AHL. Highly likely Sillinger gets sporadically called up. I think Voronkov gets some time to adjust to small ice and is up after Thanksgiving. He might take the spot from Olivier or bump Kuraly to wing, I guess we'll see. He seems like the foundation of a hard-nosed 3rd line with Jenner once our Top 6 gets established next year.

I think Durzi is a good fit with Werenski, better than carrying Peeke offensively and Boqvist defensively. Durzi played against tough matchups on his off-side in LA. He was an aggressive entry defender that should force dump ins to Werenski who is an expert retriever. Samberg showed out well in a PK role and might be ready to take on tougher matchups. Winnipeg might be retooling and looking for higher upside defenseman.

Kevin Hayes in on the roster because of rumors, and low cost, but also because he drives zone exits. That's going to be crucial in setting up our young wings for success. He also gives the coach flexibility to play him up or down depending on how they want to matchup top players and/or Boone Jenner. I don't love the player but we need better center ice and to give time for young offensive wingers to develop.

We can then use our LAK 1st and/or #35 in a package for bigger roster upgrades. We can also theoretically add them to Boqvist, Peeke or Roslovic if we want guaranteed upgrades to the roster for retooling or cap pressed teams. We can also decide that we have enough locker room goodness to dump Gudbranson and then keep Boqvist or Peeke (or both and keep Jiricek cooking) depending on how we want to run D pairs. Boqvist is a PP1 and we just won't need it if Jiricek and Werenski are on the roster. We can develop a plan on how to spend these once we have the picture of the draft lottery.

Top Targets with major assets, depending on what other teams are doing:
Mikael Backlund - less likely to join if we don't have Fantilli or Bedard. Also less likely since Sutter got canned.
Nick Schmaltz - actual Salary cost is spiking, maybe we can find a deal with AZ.
Ryan Lindgren (or K'Andre Miller if NYR on some crazy ****) - probably not traded until next offseason but we can make a pitch.
Vancouver 1st Round Pick (assuming we take cap dump) - We have space for one of Beauvillier, Garland, Boeser, OEL, Meyers. They seem like they like Roslovic and Peeke.
Noah Hanifin - Worth signing long term especially if he rebounds. Can form a dynamic pair with Jiricek but doesn't necessarily PK well.
Elias Lindholm - Not prolific at zone exits but is Selke caliber defensively and has proven chemistry with Gaudreau. Not likely to move since Sutter is gone but Calgary have to do something.
Cam Fowler - I doubt Anaheim want to move him but he'd be a great veteran add for our left side.
Viktor Arvidsson - Quick and righty. LA might need cap relief. He'd be great at Roslovic's spot.
Sam Reinhart - Excellent work in D zone. Might be too high Salary for Florida and would be a great mentor for KJ.
Travis Konecny - Has a lot of things CBJ need, but do we want to pay the cost? Great at driving Zone exits and would pair with Laine well.
Adam Lowry - Would be great at forming the basis of a matchup line. Not likely to be leaving WPG.
Nik Ehlers - Super Roslovic upgrade. Chemistry with Laine. Might not be the best long term fit with Gaudreau already on the roster.


Backup Targets:
Ryan McLeod - Young, fast PK.
Nick Leddy - Steady and stable. Perfect contract length and experience.
Brandon Carlo - Good partner with Werenski. Probably just a slight upgrade on Peeke.
Matt Grzelcyk - Active and aggressive. He'd be a great partner to help break Jiricek into the league. Shouldn't be too expensive. Doesn't PK.
Matt Dumba in UFA - Great leader. Would be good pair with Werenski. Hopefully he would let us move on from Gudbranson's locker room presence.
Carson Soucy in UFA - Aggressive entry defender. Good pair with Jiricek.
Damon Severson in UFA - NJ has too many good defenseman. Experienced and talented. Worth paying long term.
Alex Killorn in UFA - That sweet sweet cup experience.
Sam Girard - Probably the odd man out in Colorado. Would help the CBJ D corps to transition to Colorado style. Great mentor for Svozil/Mateychuk.

1.

2.

3.