Team: 2022-23 Columbus Blue Jackets

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 9, 2023

Published: Jan. 9, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I think Gavrikov, Nyquist, and Korpisalo are dealt at the deadline. Roslovic and Bean are moved in the offseason either for draft capital, but I moved them for two players who help the team defensively.

Korpisalo is having a career resurgence after his much needed hip surgery and I am truly happy for him. He needs to go to a playoff contender who has a questionable backup (probably not Washington).

Using todays standings and assuming no lottery changes the Jackets have the 3rd overall pick. I think Bedard and Fantilli are the unanimous 1st and 2nd overall picks to Chicago and Anaheim respectively. At this point it's where the draft gets real fun because the coin flip goes Michkov or Leo Carlsson.

If I'm the GM, I love me some big boy power forward center play and I would take Leo Carlsson. Since I'm not and Jarmo is the NHL's defacto James Bond villain who picks whatever he wants no matter where they are on board, I think he goes and gets Michkov to add to his stable of Russians since Kent Johnson is looking like the real deal in at center. I know Michkov doesn't propel the team to a contender until he decides to come over from Russia, but I think the only player that would do that for Columbus is Bedard at this point. If we deem that first line center is a real need, Larkin and Horvat are possibilities in FA. If Voracek is truly LTIRetired at the end of the season, there is substantial money to make a deal with one of them after shedding Gavrikov and Nyquist at the TDL and Roslovic at the draft and still sign a couple substantial additions to the blue line.

I would spend the late first rounder from Edmonton on a big Center like Charlie Stramel or trade up to pick up my favorite first rounder (outside the top 5) Kasper "The Big Tuna" Haltunnen. Yes, I made that nickname up. Why wouldn't you call a 6'3" power forward with the last name Haltunnen "The Big Tuna"? I demand payment for my intellectual property from now on. Copywrite now pending. Both players are big, strong, healthy, physical players that would slot in very nicely to someone who needs some protections on this team in a few years.

Other trades and Free Agency pickups I think are necessary are two new LHD and a strong, two way center with a high FO percentage to fill some voids and push the team out of the rebuild phase.

Next year the Jackets need to figure out what to do with Gudbranson. That M-NTC makes things difficult, but I think he can be moved with retention to a team on his list who catches the injury bug late in the season.

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