A Comment From Kekalainen Today, In His Pre-Draft Media Talk, Will Make You Think- 7/6/22

It's always interesting to hear from Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen before an NHL Draft, this year is no different.  After last year's expected moving of Seth Jones minutes before the 2021 NHL Draft, then the unexpected trade of Cam Atkinson the next morning, I'm not sure what moves Kekalainen could make to surprise us more this Draft.  With that being said, for the future of this franchise, I think this is a challenge he takes on with pride.  

The comment he made today got me thinking though.  With our team having two high Draft Picks, both 6 and 12, interest from other teams who really need new players is eminent.  Did we make the playoffs?  No.  Should we have had a far worse season with a complete rebuild?  With a brand new Head Coach, young players and especially the multiple injuries we had?  100%, yes.  Many reporters have made this comment and I agree with them, in words of my own of course.  The Columbus Blue Jackets are ahead of schedule, based off where we started the 2021-22 NHL Season.  

Now, regarding the trade of draft picks.  Kekalainen mentioned this in his Pre-Draft Media Conference this morning, which is helpful.  It gives us a bit of insight into what he's thinking going into tomorrow evening.  Although things can change at any moment, what he said today is interesting.  The first comment he made on this matter (referencing the Twitter Post from Jeff Svoboda this morning on 7/6/22) is that "it will take a lot" for a trade like this to happen.  

Focusing on this comment alone, let's face it, moving up in the draft is hard.  This is why those early draft picks are so celebrated when a team gains them in the Draft Lottery, any Draft Lottery.  When I asked Bob McElligott about our team using Pick 6 on a Defenseman and then trading Pick 12, to gain a Pick in a "stronger draft", after rumors I'd heard about next year's 2023 Class being better, Bob made a smart point.  He said something along the lines of this: no one knows the strength of a Draft Class until years later.  It's why people find it fun to play with former Draft Classes years later.  Personally, I've seen many doing so with the 2022 Draft Class.  It's funny to see because from that class we got our only player to have his jersey number retired, Left Wing and Future Blue Jacket Captain himself, Mr. Rick Nash.  Let that sink in and make you feel old for a minute!  20 years ago #61 was Drafted.  Wow.  

Back to what I was saying.  It's no surprise that it would "take a lot" to trade a Draft Pick and move up, because that's the way it always is.  So, what is that cost?  It doesn't end with a Draft Pick 5th Line, it almost never does, not to move up.  The words directly from Kekalainen today (also referenced in my source below from Jeff Svoboda) a "good young player".  

What name comes to your mind first?  Mine is likely obvious, Cole Sillinger.  He was the only player in the NHL to play the full 2021-22 Season, who was just Drafted in 2021.  He's only 19 years old too, as of this past May.  He would definitely fit that "good young player", no doubt.  Especially when you consider he played 79 of the 82 games this season and had 31 total points, 15 goals and 16 assists.  With his high point value, fan draw and the fact we cannot let go of a Center however, I say no way in cold, cold ice he goes.  Further, I feel a team does better when a Captain grows within the organization, for several years, that he leads.  I think Sillinger could be Captain, someday down the line.  How far, I'm not sure.  However, there isn't a team who could trade me anything for him.   

The second player I think of is Yegor Chinakhov.  He played a total of 62 games, with both 7 goals and 7 assists, for total points of 14.  Not bad at all for a 21-year-old in his first NHL Season.  He isn't a bad player at all.  I don't say this just based on his points, he seems to enjoy getting into the game.  I've seen him play first hand many times.  This Right Winger has skill.  We also have a lot of wingers however, so maybe he could be an option.  Keep in mind, I'm saying this based on logic only, because I do like #59.  

There are other young players on this team.  However, many of those young players have been recently re-signed back, we simply cannot part with them, or they just didn't have the time this season to really shine.  Like Carson Meyer,  a 24-year-old Right Winger.  He had 1goal and 2 assists in 13 games.  With that being said he was given a 1-year contract just recently.  Could he be moved?  Sure.  Could he benefit a team, yes any player could when put in the right situation.  Does it make sense to move up in the Draft?  It all depends on what a team needs.  This can be said for many other younger players on the 2021-22 Blue Jackets Roster.   Trey Fix-Wolansky was in just 6 NHL games, but had a goal and an assist in that short time.  He's just 23-years-old.  Again, I could go on.  

Since I've focused on Offensive options, here's a Defensive one to annoy you all.  Don't hate me, again I don't think this is a good idea.  I'm simply including him for skill and age alone.  Andrew Peeke is 24-years-old.  He played every game last season, all 82, which I believe only 2 players managed due to Covid Protocol and injury.  In that time he had 2 goals and 13 assists, for a total of 15 points overall.  Again, do I think this is a good idea?  NO.  Personally, I think our Defense needs to re-sign Nick Blankenburg, get a good prospect in the Draft and hold our guys till we see another season of them together.  Remember, out of the Offense, Defense and Goaltending, the Defense had the most challenge.  Why?  Each Goaltender plays differently and has a different need.  You can't set up a good game play when the man in net constantly changes.  With Tarasov and Korpisalo out at the end of last season, Merzlikins took over and I think we started to see the start of some understanding in this Defense.  Also, keep in mind we have already lost a man, Dean Kukan will not return.  In my mind, fill that slot with Blankenburg and get another man or even two, in the Draft.  Playoff teams are built on skill and depth of skill.  If the skill doesn't shift too much, then all areas, Offense, Defense and Goaltending can build.  Depth we get by adding the right pieces.  It sounds easy, it is not.  When done right though, the payoff could be the best playoff run we've had, maybe ahead of schedule.  We'll see!

Skate Space from Montreal, Canada starts soon with Jeff and Dylan, so I'm going to wrap this up.  My final thoughts on Jarmo Kekalainen's comments are simple, I think he was stating a fact, not foreshadowing any trades.   Now, I'm not him and things do change.  With that being said, I think the plan I've heard and seen the last months is to get a Center and Defender.  There are plenty of good ones in this 2022 Draft.  I don't feel the need is there to make us trade someone we can mold, or have already started to, into a great player for us.  Between that and the need to fill injuries as they arise, coupled with our range of Cap Space, I say know when to hold and when to hold.  I'd hold.  

Tomorrow is going to be so fun!

Go CBJ!        

Source:

Jeff Svoboda Tweet on July 6, 2022

"#CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen says "it will take a lot" for the team to move either the No. 6 pick or the No. 12 pick -- a "good young player," for example, who is under team control for a few years.

Jackets have had a lot of talks with other teams so far and are weighing the options."