The Columbus Blue Jackets will remain thin down the middle for the foreseeable future. Columbus announced that center Sean Monahan is expected to miss an additional six to eight weeks due to the wrist injury he suffered on January 7th.
The injury update will likely change the Blue Jackets’ plans for the trade deadline. They had been looking forward to captain Boone Jenner’s return, which would have significantly boosted the team. However, now they will be without a top-six center until mid-March.
Despite missing the last three weeks, Monahan is still the third-highest-scoring player on the team. He’s tallied 14 goals and 41 points in 41 games for Columbus since signing a five-year, $27.5MM contract as an unrestricted free agent last summer.
Given the organization’s renewed playoff aspirations, the Blue Jackets should enter the market for a rental center in the next few weeks. Adam Fantilli has filled the void nicely, scoring five goals and nine points in eight games since Monahan’s injury, but they could use another center regardless. Furthermore, it would be a nice reward for a team that has shattered all preseason expectations.
Thankfully for Columbus, there should be plenty of talent available. In no particular order, Trent Frederic, Ryan Donato, Jake Evans, Yanni Gourde, and Alexander Kerfoot all come to mind as potential options. The Blue Jackets have both an abundance of draft picks and cap space which conceivably puts them in the market for any available player if they’re willing to meet the price.
The future is bright in Columbus, But if they somehow make the playoffs, It will likely be short lived. Perhaps moving Jenner at the deadline if he’s healthy, And trying to upgrade the goaltending, They might be in a perfect position to hit the ground running next fall.
Maybe Elvis for John Gibson? JG makes more money and is signed for an extra year but Colu would need to add a pick or player to that. They also need to get a better backup than Tarasov.
Maybe Zegras could be added to that deal to fill the C position? He’s not good defensively but he’s def a change of scenery candidate. I could see them going after Cozens as well. He’d be a great fit.
JT miller?