Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has had a busy twenty-four hours after re-signing forward Cam Atkinson to a 7-year contract. Aaron Portzline of the Athletic reports that the Blue Jackets have also stepped up efforts to acquire a center.
Told #CBJ have stepped up efforts across the #NHL to acquire a center now that Cam Atkinson is signed and more about club’s personnel and financial future is settled.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 17, 2017
According to Cap Friendly, the Columbus Blue Jackets currently have $5,804,765 in cap space. The current depth chart has Nick Foligno and Brandon Dubinsky in the top-6 followed by rookie Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jordan Schroeder. Boone Jenner is able to play up the middle if needed for the club.
Here are 3 players that the Blue Jackets should look at to fill their center needs and take their team to the next level.
John Tarvares – New York Islanders
Let's start off with the biggest name heading into free agency next season; John Tavares of the New York Islanders. Feel free to disagree with, but the 27 year-old is a franchise player.
Currently with a cap hit at $5.5 million, he would be very pricy fix to Columbus' issues at center, especially since Tavares likely wouldn't re-sign with the Blue Jackets. Tavares is looking at $12 million per year on his next contract, so there is no doubt the Blue Jackets would be acquire him strictly as a rental.
In the 2017-18 season, Tavares has scored 15 goals and 8 assists in 20 games played, so clearly he would be a great help to the Blue Jackets. With the Islanders sitting in the first wild card spot, it is very unlikely they would trade him away, unless of course they an offer they can't turn down.
Tyler Bozak – Toronto Maple Leafs
As the youth movement continues in Toronto, Bozak’s time with the Maple Leafs could be coming to a close. He is a UFA at the end of the season, and he has cap hit of $4.2 million. Bozak has 4 goals and 6 assists in 22 games played, and is 52.0% at the face-off dot, good for 27th in the league (at least 157 face-offs taken).
The 31 year-old currently plays on the 3rd-line for Mike Babcock and with an average of just under 15 minutes ice time.
Alex Galchenyuk – Montreal Canadiens
Montreal’s season has been awful as they currently sit at sixth in the Atlantic Division. The former third overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft has had a rather difficult time in Montreal, and he has been the subject to rumors for about a year now.
Through 21 games this season, the 23 year-old has 4 goals and 4 assists for the Habs. He has a 3-years left on his contract at $4.9 million a season. A new team just might rejuvenate his career.
Honorable Mentions
Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Plekanec, if Detroit and/or Montreal are willing to eat some money.
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