3 teams that should be calling Blue Jackets about No. 14 overall pick trade

The NHL Draft is just weeks away, and the Columbus Blue Jackets may be open to making a trade. General manager Don Waddell told The Athletic that he was open to dealing the 14th overall pick before the draft. That should have the attention of every other general manager in the game, but only some should pick up the phone. What trades should the Blue Jackets consider before the draft?

The first round of the NHL Draft is on June 26, so the Blue Jackets have some time to make this deal. Last year, the Montreal Canadiens dealt two first-round picks to the New York Islanders on the morning of the draft. Waddell should consider every option and wait as long as possible to make the move. But when he does, these teams should be the ones on the other end of the phone.

Waddell said he would not trade the pick for a 32-year-old, and he is looking to make the team better. What does that mean for the Blue Jackets’ trade market?

Could Dylan Larkin join the Blue Jackets?

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade after a 10th consecutive season without making the playoffs. The Michigan native got a taste of the top with the 2026 Olympic gold medal and wants to make the playoffs. That alone does not put the Blue Jackets into consideration. But there are reasons why Larkin should consider a move to Columbus.

Larkin has a full no-movement clause and has submitted a three-team list to the Red Wings along with his trade request. The Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild are now on the clock to see if they want Larkin. But those teams are pressed against the salary cap and do not have the assets to trade for him. Waddell could give the Red Wings the 14th overall pick and prospect Luca Pinelli to take on Larkin’s full contract.

That would take Larkin accepting a trade to the Blue Jackets, which he may not do. His addition to the club would make them a better team in a weak Metropolitan Division, and Zach Werenski was alongside Larkin in Milan. The Blue Jackets are a great fit for Larkin; he just has to agree with that.

The Islanders can recoup a 1st-round pick

Last year, the Islanders traded defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens for two first-round picks. At the NHL trade deadline, they traded a first-round pick, which they picked up from the Colorado Avalanche, to the St Louis Blues for Brayden Schenn. To get that extra first-rounder back and continue the re-tool, the Islanders could trade Adam Pelech to the Blue Jackets.

Pelech has been a solid defender for the Islanders since Barry Trotz came to town in the 2018-19 season. He was vital to their two Stanley Cup semi-final runs and was a reliable piece for last year’s team. But with a logjam of left-handed defensemen in the pipeline, Pelech could be traded for the first-round pick from the Blue Jackets.

Waddell said he would not trade the pick for a 32-year-old, and Pelech will be 32 on opening night. But the Blue Jackets need a reliable defenseman behind Werenski, which they did not have last season. Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson could be improved on, and the 14th overall pick is a great piece to use in that effort.

How deep will Predators’ rebuild go?

The Predators have a new general manager in Chris MacFarland, who came over from the Avalanche. The Barry Trotz GM era did not go well, so it is time for MacFarland to start tearing down the roster and start over. But the Blue Jackets are not in the market for Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, or Brady Skjei. If Luke Evangelista is available, however, Columbus should be interested.

Evangelista scored 56 points last season on a poor Predators team and will be 24 years old on opening night next year. He is the oldest of the prospects that the Predators are high on, so they could replace him with an 18-year-old amid this rebuild. The Blue Jackets’ pick gives them a great chance to replace the forward with another prospect that will match their timeline.

The post 3 teams that should be calling Blue Jackets about No. 14 overall pick trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.