Just one game separates the Columbus Blue Jackets from the NHL's trade deadline on Monday, and there's plenty of intrigue as to what the club may or may not be pursuing.
No name on the Blue Jackets has been publicly discussed as much as Jack Johnson. Over a month ago, the 31-year old defenseman requested a trade in an attempt to market his game in a more prominent role. Since then, his playing time has increased, but not much else has been resolved. On Thursday, Aaron Portzline reported that the Blue Jackets reached out to Johnson's camp to resurrect contract talks.
From the report:
The Blue Jackets, believing they were going to trade defenseman Ryan Murray, tried to sign Johnson to an extension in the summer, but he turned down a seven-year extension worth more than $22 million, sources said
In an ever-changing environment, let's examine the scenarios at play surrounding the veteran:
Keep Him
The path of least resistance is to do nothing, which would mean foregoing any potential gain of assets in a trade, but keeping Johnson for the remainder of the regular season and any subsequent playoff games. There is the possibility that he re-signs with the Jackets and foregoes free agency between now and July 1 (note: this could happen before or after trade deadline).
Pros: Teams ramping up for a playoff push would typically like to add a veteran, rugged defensemen. Johnson is a certified monster in his playoff career, and that's in stark contrast to many of the other players on this club.
Cons: Pierre Lebrun reported that the Blue Jackets were offered a late first round pick in exchange for Johnson.
As I mentioned on Insider Trading, I think the Blue Jackets know they can get a late first round pick for Jack Johnson ... but they want a forward... do they take the pick and make a separate deal for a forward? Interesting decisions lie ahead of Feb. 26
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 8, 2018
The club could use these assets for future seasons and give a promotion to one of Markus Nutivaara (injured), Scott Harrington, Dean Kukan (injured), or Gabriel Carlsson. Or, as Lebrun notes, they could flip that pick in an additional trade that would provide immediate help for this season.
Trade Him
None of us at 1st Ohio Battery are NHL General Managers (yet), but if we were, the participants in our trade deadline round table would unanimously trade Johnson.
The rationale is simple; Johnson may pass the eye-test as a strong skating, tireless defenseman. But the truth is that Johnson has not once in his career been a positive possession player (5v5).
Pros: A first-round pick, if that's the theoretical return, is a nice haul for a 31-year-old defenseman on an expiring contract. After not having a first round pick a year ago, the Jackets would surely like to replenish their once-strong prospect pool, and this is a deep draft. It's worth mentioning that if they don't move him and he chooses to sign elsewhere, the Blue Jackets would have effectively written a "how-to" guidebook in failed asset management.
Another option would be to trade him for a scoring forward on an expiring contract in a legitimate swap of needs, though that would could further limit their trade partners.
Cons: For as flawed as he is, Johnson comes to play when the games count. He's nearly a point a game player in the playoffs, and even in the smaller/faster NHL of today, the playoffs are simply a different beast, and Johnson is the kind of player teams covet for a Stanley Cup run.
It's also worth noting that it's possible that this report is being used to increase interest around the league in Johnson. There haven't been any public inclinations of this, but it's in the best interest of the Blue Jackets to show that they have options and that Johnson is a wanted commodity.
These are the options being weighed heavily by the team's management group. It's a fluid situation, and the difference between worst case scenario (losing him for no gain) and best case scenario (first round pick or playoff run) stand is stark contrast.
Follow 1st Ohio BatteryFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
