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The Columbus Blue Jackets could be taking three main trade targets off the market in a stunning development at the NHL trade deadline.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were one of the teams believed to be sellers at the NHL trade deadline. But that situation has taken a massive 180-degree turn. Since the firing of Dean Evason and the hiring of veteran bench boss Rick Bowness, the Jackets are 10-1 and back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
That situation has prompted GM Don Waddell to pump the brakes on the purported sell-off of the club’s main impending free agents. According to a report published by RG Media, the Blue Jackets will be looking to negotiate with the impending free agents instead.
Notably, those impeding UFAs include captain Booner Jenner, Mason Marchment, and Charlie Coyle. Coyle, in particular, has drawn plenty of interest around the league, given the bone-dry trade market.
An anonymous source told RG that the aforementioned trio of Marchment, Jenner, and Coyle is pretty much off the market amid the Blue Jackets’ remarkable turnaround.
“With the way the team has played since [Rick] Bowness got hired and where they are in the standings now, I’m hearing a lot less chatter around Coyle, Marchment, and Jenner. Regardless of whether they’re signed to extensions before the Olympic break ends, they’re off the trade market heading into the trade deadline. Waddell is just going to ride with them and add to the roster so they can make it into the playoffs.”
With the Blue Jackets not selling, they may shift into buyers, as the club believes it still has a chance to make the postseason.
Blue Jackets Surge Similar to Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres were another team believed to be heading towards a fire sale this season. However, their stunning turnaround has them fully embedded in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
That’s a similar fate befalling the Blue Jackets. They are no longer languishing in the cellar of the Metro Division. Columbus looks like a re-energized team looking to make a late-season push for a playoff spot.
Like the Sabres, RG’s anonymous source stated that the club does not want to disrupt the roll its in. That’s why the best thing to do at this point is to leave the roster as is. Making trades at this point could seriously derail the momentum the Blue Jackets have accrued since Bowness took over.
Olympics Could Give Columbus Chance to Extend Offers
The source also told RG that the Olympics would allow the club to negotiate with its impending UFAs. Regardless of whether the Blue Jackets sign Jenner, Marchment, or Coyle now, the point in negotiate. Doing so would allow the organization to see where these players stand at this point.
If the parties can’t reach a deal, perhaps the trades will come after the season. That could mean the Blue Jackets might be active from the end of the season, leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft.
Meanwhile, Columbus fans will have an opportunity to see their team push for a playoff spot this season. It’s a much more exciting prospect than seeing them just run out the string.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
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