The NHL is two days from the draft and twelve days from the start of free agency. For the CBJ and Jarmo Kekalainen it has been sit back and wait. Thus far the Jackets have signed prospects and only one NHL roster player, Markus Hannikainen. No other RFAs have been signed, no trades have been made. With a number of UFAs and some important RFAs still unsigned CBJ have been silent. They also only have two picks in the draft (3rd and 7th round).

One thing they need to end their silence on is signing Zach Werenski. It is a given he will command a large contract. Columbus will want to lock him up long term because of his age, contract dollar amount and skills on the ice.

At issue is the dollar amount. Yes, the CBJ will argue that he should get paid only as much as Jones does. But, Werenski may look to other high profile RFA defensemen signings that should come any day now. Columbus is playing chicken with an oncoming bus if they don't get this deal done soon. Once Jacob Trouba, Cody Ceci, Charlie McAvoy and Ivan Provorov ink new deals the CBJ is at the mercy of dollar comparisons to those contracts. If the Jackets are the first to sign a deal, they will have set the value, not the other way around. In no way am I advocating that Columbus try to short change Werenski, I am simply stating that they have more control over the situation if they get a deal done first.

Trouba has already been traded as the Jets had cap pressures and didn't want negotiations to become contentious, leading to a possible hold out situation. Provorov's name has been mentioned as a possible hold out candidate as he and the Flyers have not come to an agreement yet. No talk of Werenski holding out...yet.

No one has mentioned this yet, but could Columbus trade Werenski? Most fans in Columbus would call the mere mention of his blasphemy. But hold on, CBJ is strong on the back end. Defense has not been their problem, well when the defensemen are healthy. What if the Jackets are willing to move him? Do they land a blue chip forward? Could you see someone like Gaudreau or Scheifele come back in return? C-bus would need to add something in order to return talent like that, but is it out of the realm of comprehension? I don't think it is.

The problem with trading Werenski is that the Trouba to NYR deal set the value. NYR gave up the #20 pick in this years draft and a defensive prospect that has 101 games of experience in the NHL. From my view in the upper bowl of Nationwide Arena, I'd rather have Werenski than a prospect and a middle 1st round pick.

There is risk of an offer sheet made to Werenski by another team. Based upon a projected salary below $6M the Jackets would receive a 1st and 3rd round pick - in 2020. Even if the offer goes over $6.3M the penalty would only be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Chances are, even if the offer was over $6.3M Columbus would match it. But how does that play out with the front office and the locker room if he signs a contact elsewhere but has to come back and play in Columbus after the fact? Some may say, 'its just business' and that may be true. But the guys on the bench would know he signed with another team and that's not nothing.

News from around the league

Not surprising that TBL players took home some top honors at the NHL awards. They had a great regular season, put up great stats, tied for the most regular season victories. And all these awards were based upon the regular season. No further comment on that.

Kevin Hayes signed with the Flyers for $7.14M per year. Over-payment? Maybe. He will only be 34 when this contract ends and $7M per year will not look so bad in 2026. So, maybe not an over-payment when you consider he will play his prime years in PHI.

Corey Perry is bought out by ANA. This is not the send off he deserved for his time spent as a Duck. But hockey is a business and he was a casualty of that. Lets not all get sad and sentimental, he still gets paid. And now can sign with a new team. With an affordable price tag he could add value to an NHL team and will likely find a home. Could it be in Columbus? Not sure that would be the best fit. But, on a one-year deal, at less than $3M it may be worth a try.

Oilers v. Jesse Puljujärvi. Fact: Puljujärvi is an RFA. Fact: JP (I'm bound to misspell that name) has skills, he was drafted 4th overall in 2016. FACT: His stat line is underwhelming, 139 GP, 17 G, 30 A over 3 seasons. He is also coming off season ending surgery. For a player like this to demand a trade or refuse to play for the Oilers by threatening to play in Europe is mind boggling. He has now put EDM in a very tough spot. Every GM in the league knows they have to trade him and his value just plummeted. Badly handled by all parties. Puljujärvi could very well end up in Europe if he follows through on this threat. He hasn't proven anything in the NHL yet. Columbus has been linked to him in rumors before this trade demand. I'm not sure that CBJ should be willing to part with too much to land him. The added bonus is that once he gets moved there is still the task of signing him.

While everyone is out there making draft predictions I, like Jarmo am just sitting back and watching things happen. CBJ picks will be in round 3 and 7. This will have little impact on the on-ice product for at least 2-3 years, if at all.

UPDATE
Protect your hot dogs Columbus, Ek has Kessel at a 20% chance of wearing the Union Blue...God help us if that happens.

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