Of all the Blue Jackets players no one has been more speculated to move than Cam Atkinson. Last year at the trade deadline Cam was is in seemly every rumour around the CBJ. And early this season the rumour mill has been fired up again.
It’s been well know that prior to the firing of Todd Richards; GM Jarmo Kekalainen was trying to make a move to bring in a defencemen. I doubt much has changed even with the addition of a new coach. What caused Cam to get into the rumours was his curious healthy scratch against the Islanders.
In looking at a potential Cam trade (or any trade for that matter) we have to look at a few things: how good is the player/players contract being moved, who’s the replacement and how viable is that replacement, and what is the potential return.
How good is the Player?
To answer that question I turn to Domenic Galamini (@MimicoHero) and his fantastic HERO charts.
We are dealing with a good player on a good contract.
Who’s the Replacement?
Why would the Blue Jackets want to move a good player on a good contract? Well one reason is they have a couple of options to replace Cam. Columbus’ prospect strength is on the wings. Outside of Zach Werenski the team’s top prospects are wingers; Sonny Milano, Kerby Rychel and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Bjorkstrand is the only righty of the group and would be the most logical replacement. However this team has shown in the past they are willing to play guys on their off wing, so it wouldn’t be in question if they decided to play Rychel or Milano at RW.
As for how viable these guys are is tricky. As of right now neither Milano nor Bjorkstrand appear ready for the NHL. Rychel on the other hand does appear to be very close, getting a five game cup of coffee last season and already being called up for a game this year. I believe he could step into the NHL right now and a least hold his own.
What is the Potential Return?
This is where it gets interesting. We know that the team lacks defencemen and two names have come up recently in the media: Shea Theodore and Adam Larsson.
Theodore was brought up by Elliotte Friedman in last week’s 30 Thoughts:
4. Wouldn’t be surprised if Kekalainen asked about Anaheim’s Shea Theodore, but not sure the Ducks would even consider it. They love him, even as Theodore’s being brought along slowly.
Larsson was brought up by Aaron Portzline on Twitter:
Source tonight suggested #CBJ and #NJDevils could be trade partners. D Adam Larsson likely #CBJ target; RW Cam Atkinson part of #CBJ package
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 21, 2015Regardless of if either of these is true one thing is clear, the Jackets are not trying to trade for a veteran stop gap. They want young players who can grow with Ryan Murray and Werenski.
At this point that should be the only focus of the front office. Improve the core. The playoffs while very much still possible are a long-shot. Let’s not make a big move for a veteran who is only going to be here for a year. That would be short-sighted and in the long run could do more harm than good.
Whatever happens with Cam Atkinson, Columbus is in a good position. If they keep Cam great! They have a good top six winger whose contract is relatively cheap. If they decide to move him fine, they have replacements already in the system and could get a good young player in return.
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