Nov 12, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (17) advances the puck against the Seattle Kraken during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

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Columbus Blue Jackets Expected to Retain Pending Free Agents at Trade Deadline

Columbus plans to hold onto key pending free agents, signaling a focus on long-term goals over trade deadline moves.

The Columbus Blue Jackets show “minimal interest” in trading their upcoming unrestricted free agents for mid-round selections at the trade deadline, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported on Thursday. A major impact from the rising yet still developing club seems improbable, yet Columbus won’t enter a selling phase during the competitive Eastern Conference wild-card battle.

Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has recently finalized efforts to keep upcoming UFA Zach Aston-Reese and potential RFA Jake Christiansen on budget-friendly extensions. Other individuals, such as Justin Danforth, Sean Kuraly, and Mathieu Olivier up front, as well as Dante Fabbro and Jack Johnson on defense, appear set to remain in Columbus for the remainder of the season, irrespective of the outcome of extension negotiations.

Lineup changes for #CBJ tonight vs #Isles

IN: Justin Danforth (activated off IR)
IN: Jack Johnson
OUT: Kevin Labanc (scratch)
OUT: Denton Mateychuk (illness)

Elvis Merzlikins will start for Columbus:
16-10-3
.890 SV%
3.05 GAA
1 SI https://t.co/JWQVD79sY6
— Joseph (@HockeyJoseph10) January 21, 2025

Certainly, the Jackets’ most valuable upcoming UFA is defenseman Ivan Provorov. The 28-year-old southpaw has accumulated 20 points in 48 games this season, averaging over 23 minutes of ice time each night, but is thought to be keen on signing an extension to avoid entering the free agency pool, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reported last month.

Also Read: Ryan Reaves and Mathieu Olivier Deliver a Thrilling NHL Heavyweight Clash

Still, Provorov was positioned third on The Athletic’s most recent trade board and 21st on TSN’s list. His trade candidacy is probably outside the scope of Friedman’s report since he would require a significantly higher investment than a mid-round pick to obtain, even as a rental player.

Following the Blue Jackets’ 5-1 victory over the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, they entered a situation that resembles a three-way tie in points percentage for the two wild-card positions in the Eastern Conference alongside the Senators and Canadiens. Columbus has 53 points in 48 games, yielding a .552 points percentage, while the Sens and Habs each have 52 points in 47 games for a .553 percentage. As Friedman notes, the Jackets will essentially be buyers due to the anticipated return of captain Boone Jenner to the active roster soon. He hasn’t participated in the regular season following a shoulder injury suffered in training camp that necessitated surgery, but he has started skating and is aiming for a possible return in February.

At this year’s deadline, Jenner, 31, would probably be considered one of the top 10 assets in terms of roster influence. He just finished a season where he scored 22 goals and recorded 35 points in 58 games.

Image Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Columbus Blue Jackets

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!