Should the Blue Jackets trade Sergei Bobrovsky, a quick replacement may be in the works. Literally.
As first reported by John Hoven of Mayor's Manor (ranked the best sports blog in Los Angeles by LA Weekly and named Hockey Blog of the Year by Yahoo Sports), the Blue Jackets have been in preliminary discussions about acquiring Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman provided further notes on this in his latest "31 Thoughts" column (see below for his note on Columbus/Quick).
"If the Florida Panthers can somehow pull off a trade with Columbus for goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, don’t be surprised to see the Blue Jackets announce a deal for Quick soon thereafter", said Hoven. "From what we understand, preliminary discussions have taken place and the interest is there."
If the Blue Jackets do deal Bobrovsky (and remember, the goalie has control of the situation), do not be surprised if they take a run at Jonathan Quick. –Friedman
Quick, 32, is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and former All-Star. He's under contract for three more seasons at a reasonable cap hit ($5.8 million AAV) and would be a more than serviceable replacement in goal for the Blue Jackets.
The Kings' veteran goaltender isn't having the best season, just like Bobrovsky. Quick has just 10 wins in what's been a dreadful season in Los Angeles. His .903 save percentage is his worst over the past six seasons, and 2.97 goals against average worst since his rookie year.
Regardless, it's certainly a move that would make sense under the perceived Blue Jackets agenda of still wanting to make a playoff push at all costs, even if they lose Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin to a trade.
Bobrovsky is in the final season of a four-year contract that pays him $7.4 million annually, and it's known that he is eyeing a hefty raise wherever he should go this offseason.
