Will have to wait and see who the Jackets draft this summer to see if they pursue a top 6C. The Jackets wouldn't be paying that much for a center like Kuzy whose contract would be expiring just as their window is hopefully opening though. Whoever they could draft with that 2024 1st would be much more valuable long term.

I don't see Columbus being a team to trade for Kuzy, but I do think there's a discussion to be had if he should stick around. I'd lean towards keeping him but I don't hate the idea of moving on either

Yeah, Columbus is currently in no position to be trading futures.

If Kuznetsov was the chief difference between the Jackets being competitive and the Jackets being poor, this could be an excellent deal. And I do think that lack of quality center play goes a long way towards explaining our defensive issues (as well as the mess on the blueline). But as is this would be rather risky for the Jackets. Would certainly want some sort of lottery protection on the 1st at bare minimum, and regardless we should potentially be spending assets elsewhere if we do spend.

That Mantha/Garland trade is interesting. Garland is small though. Does he get pushed around a lot? They both have the same goal/assist totals this year too. So I wonder if this is a 'change of scenery' type of trade?