Ok gents, looks like John Davidson is speaking with Kovy's agent.

What is an acceptable return from the Jackets?

The key word is ACCEPTABLE and within reality
- Relentless

Murray +2nd +prospect? , thats at least what columbus might be willing to give up? something in that range, plus maybe the second turns to a conditional 1st on kovy production or reaching conference finals/cup?it will all depends on the market! and go from there? And if it's only Columbus bidding than it could change?but hopefully a bidding war will happen and shero will make out like a bandit! And could I get your take guys on Merrill, is he any good? Is he a 5 to 7th slot dman? Thanks and congratulations on your draft and best of luck with the rest of the offseason!..p.s. I know that most of you don't want Murray! Just my take what Columbus might consider?

watch Jost completely blow away Zacha this year

watch Jost completely blow away Zacha this year
- MartysBetter88

the end product is all that matters. I could give two poop if a prospect out scores ours in the first few years of development. Zacha wasn't picked to jump into the NHL and tear it up he was picked because they felt he had all the tools needed to be an elite player once fully developed. I also don't get the whole if you are a top five pick and aren't in the NHL by year two you are instantly a bust. How about we wait until they have plateaued before we go proclaiming every other teams prospects better then ours !

the end product is all that matters. I could give two poop if a prospect out scores ours in the first few years of development. Zacha wasn't picked to jump into the NHL and tear it up he was picked because they felt he had all the tools needed to be an elite player once fully developed. I also don't get the whole if you are a top five pick and aren't in the NHL by year two you are instantly a bust. How about we wait until they have plateaued before we go proclaiming every other teams prospects better then ours !
- blizzzard

Larsson took some time

Ok gents, looks like John Davidson is speaking with Kovy's agent.

What is an acceptable return from the Jackets?

The key word is ACCEPTABLE and within reality
- Relentless

Well, I would imagine that what we want in the Kovy trade is a very solid Dman. Columbus has Werenski and Jones, and they will not be traded IMO. The other Dmen they have are nice, but nothing I would trade Kovy for. So looking at what else they might have (knowing we don't want draft picks) how about Pierre-Luc Dubois (probably not straight up) or Sonny Milano? just spit-balling here....its a window open moment/year for the jackets and this is an in-division trade.....

Larsson took some time
- TRDevil

Larsson took extra time because PK Subban destroyed him but still it's a fair point. That said, D men take longer then forwards. Zacha does deserve more time but he should make some clear progress this year. I'd even give him next season. But if it doesn't happen by then, I'll be getting nervous.

Jenner or Bjorkstrand, CBJ doesn't have any D worthwhile except for Jones who they won't trade and is worth way more than Kovy. Then flip excess forwards for D help.
- mcjags

Werenski?

Larsson took some time
- TRDevil

Deboer made sure of that

Werenski?
- shvingter88

I'd assume he's untouchable so I didn't even consider him. We'd have to throw in half the team, two 1st rd picks ++ along with Kovy

Sometimes you've just got to forget about where a guy was drafted and understand the player they actually are. Murray is just nowhere near where he was hyped to be and he's not going to do better in NJ than in Columbus, a team that actually has good defensemen who can eat up the toughest minutes.

On another note, good lord that 2012 draft is all over the place.
- CaptCrankypants

The problem is Shero and co. seem to love players like Murray, guys who are young, good skaters/picked in 1st rd/haven't panned out thus far

I could see Murray + 2nd rd pick

1. Jost will probably be more offensively productive than Zacha, but Zacha's still somewhat on course (needs to generate more shots/scoring chances).

2. Larsson developed exactly as expected. PK's hit didn't stutter his career; it was a baptism to NHL hockey which thankfully didn't do much damage: he learned to play with his head up. Deboer was stifling him, but Scott Stevens brought him back on course and you can clearly see Stevens' influence in his game (and plus minus). Pete just watched Larsson's team take him out, so a little just desserts, there...

3. The only D I would want from CBJ is Johnson. Kovy for Johnson one for one. If not, no other D, but you pick a prospect and a pick from them (2nd)... of interest (just spittin names)... Milano and Nutivaara fit Ray's mold...

Sometimes you've just got to forget about where a guy was drafted and understand the player they actually are. Murray is just nowhere near where he was hyped to be and he's not going to do better in NJ than in Columbus, a team that actually has good defensemen who can eat up the toughest minutes.

On another note, good lord that 2012 draft is all over the place.
- CaptCrankypants

Horrible draft class, one of the worst ever...