On Tuesday I looked at three things the Jackets should avoid doing at the draft. Today in preparation for the first round, here are three things they should be looking to do.

1. Make a big trade

Before you freak out no this does not mean Artemi Panarin. As I wrote on Wednesday I think the Jackets should be making a big trade to bring in another top end player to play with Panarin. Elliotte Friedman seemed to have similar thoughts in his pre-draft 10 Thoughts
5. Nothing really new on Artemi Panarin. I wonder if Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen — who has big brass ones — goes for it with both Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky in the final seasons of their contracts. You look at Washington, which won the Cup after finally getting over its playoff hurdle. I can’t help but think of the Blue Jackets, a really good team with the same post-season problem. If I were in his shoes, I’d think long and hard about it.

2. Draft puck moving defencemen

This one I could do every year and have used in the past. This year it’s more important than ever. The Jackets system has a glaring weakness in that area. They have tons of big bodies on the back but very few players who can create offense. It showed in the AHL this season where Cleveland finished as the second worst team in the league. You look at the Toronto Marlies who just won the Calder Cup they were loaded with puck moving defencemen, like Timothy Liligren, Travis Dermott and even a non-prospect like Martin Marchenin is a puck mover. The Jackets need to be looking for player like that and the best place to do is in the draft.

3. Continue finding talent in European pro leagues

The Jackets have a done great job at finding talent in Europe. Four of their seven picks last draft were European and after one season all of them are looking like solid prospects. Emil Bemstrom is going to be attending Sweden’s World Junior Camp and Jonathan Davidsson will be at Blue Jackets camp. The Jackets need to keep finding talent like this late in the draft. A lot of players drafted out of Europe have spent time already playing professionally. They know how to compete against bigger stronger more experienced players. A couple names to keep in mind that fit this, Marcus Westfalt, Albin Eriksson, and Jakub Lauko. All three are skilled forwards, Westfalt and Eriksson played in Sweden putting up good numbers in the Swedish league and getting games in the SHL. Lauko spent all season in Czech pro league where he had a solid nine points in 42 games. He was good in international events, putting up six points in seven games at the Under-18’s and scored one goal in six games at the World Juniors.

You can follow me on Twitter @PaulBerthelot

Join the Discussion: » 5 Comments » Post New Comment

» Blue Jackets extend John Tortorella

» Blue Jackets extend Hockey Operations Staff

» Thoughts on the Blue Jackets Traverse City roster

» How the Blue Jackets can get more national coverage

» Just how bad is the Blue Jackets prospect system?