The Columbus Blue Jackets made a big pitch to the Arizona Coyotes for the 3rd overall pick but apparently it wasn't enough.
The Coyotes are getting no shortage of calls for the pick so Columbus' rumored offer of Artem Anisimov and Kerby Rychel along with 8th overall reportedly isn't going to get things done.
Jarmo Kekalainen said yesterday #CBJ weren't going to "go crazy" to get to No. 3. Thought today is No. 8, Anisimov and Rychel isn't enough.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2015It may seem like the Jackets were giving a lot to begin with but there isn't much security in that potential deal from Arizona's perspective. Anisimov is a good player but he's a year away from unrestricted free agency. Rychel is a good prospect but he dealt with concussion issues last season. If you're the Coyotes you want to hold out for a 'can't miss-type' deal.
If GM Jarmo Kekalainen really wants to move up to 3rd overall and grab Noah Hanifin he's going to have to up the ante.
If not Kekalainen can try and move up just a couple spots - the Jackets contacted every team picking in front of them - to select Ivan Provorov or they can simply stand pat and draft Zach Werenski assuming he is available at 8.
It'll be fun to see how all of this plays out.
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If the Blue Jackets stand pat and wish to move back into the 1st round later on tonight that should be an option with their abundance of draft picks.
They own 10 entering the draft:
Round 1: 8th overall Round 2: 34th overall Round 2: 38th overall Round 2: 58th overall Round 3: 68th overall Round 3: 69th overall Round 5: 129th overall Round 5: 141st overall Round 6: 159th overall Round 7: 189th overall
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