NHL Trade Rumors: Blue Jackets Gauging Interest For No. 3 Draft Pick

The Columbus Blue Jackets failed to meet expectations of a playoff run last season and ended up being among the NHL’s worst teams.

Armed with the No. 3 pick in this week’s NHL Draft, the Blue Jackets appear to at least be willing to consider trading the selection, especially if it would allow them to clear salary cap space.

CBJ continues to listen to interest in #3 pick, however, sources say CBJ would like to attach a contract, (Hartnell) for cap space…1/2

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 20, 2016

…CBJ still has to extend Seth Jones which will be costly. Also approaching offer sheet time and Jones could be prime target.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 20, 2016

Columbus is in a horrendous salary cap predicament. It has nine players with contracts including a $4 million cap hit or higher, and none of them — with the possible exception of Brandon Saad — are legitimate first-line forwards or top-pairing defensemen. Seth Jones likely will be the 10th Blue Jackets player with a cap hit above $4 million.

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The Nick Foligno contract was bad at the time because he was being boosted by an unsustainable high shooting percentage. Scott Hartnell is past his prime and signed long term, and the David Clarkson deal is among the very worst in the league.

Any contract can be traded — Toronto got rid of Clarkson, after all — but it’s not going to be easy for the Blue Jackets’ front office. Attaching the No. 3 pick would help, but it’s going to be a while before Columbus has enough cap flexibility to build a genuine championship roster.