trying to save the jackets impossible

Team: 2022-23 Columbus Blue Jackets

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 26, 2023

Published: Apr. 26, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

First off we take Fantilli with the 2OA pick, give him a year in the minors to develop, do not bring him into a situation this bad at only 18 years old.

The Vancouver trade gives us the 11OA pick in a stacked draft, and we take 2 contracts. The less problematic of the two is Myers, who is up at the end of this upcoming season (aka a season before all of the rfas are due), him and Gudbranson can fight it out throughout the season for the 3RD spot. Then there is OEL. OEL was not as bad as people say this season, only slightly below average in both offensive play driving, and defense, and is better than any other option we have at 2LD for this upcoming season. In future seasons once Mateychuk is ready for top 4 minutes, OEL can be thrown on the 3rd pairing, or maybe even LTIR with how many games he's been missing over the past 3 seasons.

For the Philly trade, Hayes has been linked to Columbus all year, but it has been said that Columbus wouldn't take the full contract. For this to work, Philly would have to reatin salary and take a bad contract in Roslovic in return. Hayes would finally give the Jackets a somewhat serviceable 1C (better than Jenner at least) until Fantilli or Johnson can take over that role full time. This trade will make Columbus a bit better in the short term which is what management wants, and will help Philly tank.

1.

2.