I'm making an assumption that this is all based on Jones extending? That makes a world of difference.

Hawks shouldn't walk away, they should run away from that extension or not. BoQ is way too important to the rebuild and the 1st rounder is going to be a solid prospect that we need more of not less.

I know you probably agree

Man oh Man. I do like Boqvist a lot. If I'm being consistent with my previous comments...Jones is a more valuable piece in the long run IMO. The stay at home Dmen that can play both ways is vital for any playoff run. Having an offensive minded Dman is a good thing to have, but not a requirement. I would likely do some kind of trade that involved Boqvist. Just depends on what Jones' contract looks like and what other pieces are involved. Hawks still have Mitchell and Beaudin too.

But why fix something that really isn't the part to fix? Strome, Zadarov or Beaudin plus a 2nd should get Lindholm...that's what I'd be going for.

Lindholm - BoQ
Keith - Murphy
Stillman - Mitchell
Kalynuk

That's a heck of a defense and my opinion a lot better then

Keith - Jones
Zadarov - Murphy
Stillman - Mitchell
Kalynuk

"For me, Connor Murphy + Dylan Strome + the 2021 1st for Seth Jones has a much higher chance of happening.

That's just my opinion "

It doesn't, because any proposal that treats Dylan Strome as having any value whatsoever to the Jackets is inherently fatally flawed.

Strome is either severely underrated on ACGM or overly rated by us fans. Time will soon tell what the GM's around the league make of his value as he could be on the move.

The main piece going back to Columbus in this scenario would not be Dylan Strome but rather Connor Murphy.



One of the things that Columbus has had enormous trouble with in the past is making sure good quality players stay with the Blue Jackets long-term.

Connor Murphy grew up in Columbus, Ohio area and played in the Blue Jackets Minor Hockey system when he was a young.

His dad was also the assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets for a number of years.



If there is one player in the NHL besides Jack Roslovic that would 100% commit to playing for the Blue Jackets for an entire career ...

it's Connor Murphy



I understand Seth Jones is a million times better than Connor Murphy.

However, Connor Murphy has been a solid right-shot RD on the top pairing for Chicago.

He would at least fill some of the void left behind by Seth Jones.

If Columbus is not going to draft Brandt Clarke at 5th overall, then the Blue Jackets should consider a Seth Jones trade with Chicago where Connor Murphy is part of the return.



As for the other pieces in the return for Seth Jones, Jarmo could always ask for players like Kirby Dach, Adam Boqvist and Lukas Reichel along with the Hawks' 2021 1st.

However, the Hawks might balk at the asking price, especially if Seth Jones doesn't sign an extension in Chicago.


Food for Thought

the problem is you might actually believe this...

So a LD would indeed be preferable. Not suggesting it wouldn't. That is IF Lindholm is even an option.

By the way, this was not the cost according Lazerus and Power. This was the cost according to a couple of league scouts, one of them was a Blue Jackets scout.

Y'all may have overlooked the "to the Jackets" part. I wouldn't be too surprised if there's other teams that would find him useful. But here? He's just another offensively-focused defensively-suspect center of the type we're already having troubles with, and he's slow. He basically adds nothing to this team as is. Couple that with the evidence that suggests he really needs a high quality transition winger alongside to perform at his best (something we don't have), and, well...

* * *

Murphy would certainly be a welcome part of the deal. My point was that Strome is the wrong add, because he's not going to be valued here.

I will agree with you that Strome's game is offense focused. IMO, No reasonable Hawks fan should argue with that. I just look at CBJ's team and Tex is indeed a very good center prospect, but he seems more like a defensive center. Roslovic has been a nice surprise. I'll admit that he singularly tipped the scales in the PLD/Laine trade because both of those two guys stunk. He'll likely be your #1 Center, BUT if you have strong wingers and want an offensive focused line...I do think Laine/Strome can be a really good combo. Strome is a pass 1st playmaking center, but can also be really helpful on the PP. CBJ was 27th in the league in that department. Don't forget, Torts is gone. MOST other coaches are looking for offense where Torts is...let's beat them into the ground and if we win 1-0...that's a perfect game. That's not how most coaches approach the game anymore. Trotz and Torts are probably the two...

Unless Strome suddenly became a transition and zone entry specialist when I wasn't looking, he's not going to help Laine any more than Domi does.

He won't be in the box.

At which point Laine won't be on the ice because he's not playing PK.

So...technically if there's no Domi and there is Strome...then Laine WILL be on the ice which is better than off the ice.

Touche.

But I don't think that's enough of a difference-maker to make Strome of value to the Jackets.