There had been rumors the Blue Jackets weren't afraid to go big-game hunting this summer.
They have certainly proven to be true as GM Jarmo Kekalainen has pulled off a blockbuster trade that will send a package including Artem Anisimov and Marko Dano, among others, to Chicago in exchange for Brandon Saad and a couple prospects.
Morin, Tropp, Anisimov and Dano and 4th in 2016 for Saad, Paliotta and Alex Broadhurst. CBJ-CHI deal.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 30, 2015There are a lot of moving parts here so a few quick thoughts:
1) Prior to the trade Columbus had 14 forwards on one-way contracts. They also have a plethora of young forwards including Kerby Rychel, William Karlsson, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Sonny Milano, among others, who are NHL-ready or close to it. They did move a lot of bodies, however, they have the depth to do it and landed the best player in the deal in Brandon Saad.
2) The Blue Jackets have plenty of cap space so they can pay Saad what he wants. If, for some reason, he signs an offer sheet elsewhere the Jackets will have no problem matching it. That is a non-issue.
3) Don't sleep on Marko Dano. Saad is the biggest name in this deal but Dano produced at an extremely high rate last season and his teammates were better with him than without. He's going to be a very good player -- if not a star.
4) In Artem Anisimov the Blackhawks are getting a good No. 2 center who is under contract at a very reasonable price tag at just over $3 million. Again, he's not a huge name but he's a very effective player who fills a hole in Chicago.
5) Jeremy Morin never really got a chance to establish himself as a regular under coach Todd Richards. He was in and out of the lineup and whenever he played his minutes were very limited despite his solid possession numbers. He should get more of a chance back in Chicago where he was drafted.
I'll have more in the coming days...
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