Since the 2014-15 season concluded Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen has made it no secret that upgrading the team's defense will be a priority.
With so many forwards under contract - as well as Oliver Bjorkstrand and Sonny Milano, among others, on the way - and an abundance of draft picks the Blue Jackets have the assets to go out and land a big fish.
That appears to be the plan.
Via BlueJacketsXtra: The biggest desire is to strengthen the defense, and Kekalainen is armed with forwards, prospects and picks to make that happen via trade. Certainly the Blue Jackets need to add to the defensive depth now that Mike Reilly has left the organization to sign elsewhere as a free agent. But one also gets the sense that Jarmo & Co. will try to go big-game hunting for a significant upgrade at the top of their defense. Won’t be easy.
Which big names could be on the market?
Larry Brooks suggested the Rangers could/should trade Keith Yandle. Dustin Byfuglien's name has popped up on and off for years and it's been well documented that Dion Phaneuf is available. I'm sure there are others, too.
While Kekalainen and co. can afford to go big-game hunting they'll need to ensure they're getting the right guy if they are going to pony up a plethora of assets.
It sounds like the Blue Jackets are hoping to hit a home run but if they are swinging at everything they could just as easily strikeout.
I expect we'll be hearing a lot more about this as we get closer to draft day.
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