The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators executed the biggest trade of the NHL season earlier today.
The Jackets sent #1C Ryan Johansen to Hockey Tonk ® in exchange for 2013 4th overall pick Seth Jones.
It’s a trade that addresses extreme need for both teams.
Nashville has been searching for a #1C for years and Columbus has been shy on the blue line for almost as long.
Most of the comments I’ve seen are worried about C depth in Columbus which is pretty much balderdash.
It’s obvious that Columbus is waving a white flag on the season, understandably, and are positioning the team for the future.
After the departure of Johansen, here’s how the Jackets’ C depth looks going forward.
Alexander Wennberg
Brandon Dubinsky
Boone Jenner
Marko Dano
William Karlsson
Sonny Milano
Wennberg is a revelation this season and the others on the list are not chopped liver.
The addition of Seth Jones, a potential #1D, is exactly what the Jackets need and, if he and Ryan Murray live up to their draft pedigree, they will have a superb top pairing for a decade.
I’d wager they will.
From the Nashville perspective, The Predators have a tremendous group on D and can afford to move one of them for strength down the middle.
If Nashville can find a scoring winger, this move makes them a legit Stanley Cup contender.
With more than $8 million in free cap space to work with, David Poile should be able to add pretty much anyone available for a cup run
Radim Vrbata?
Dead Cat Bouncing 
I agree with you 100%
Yakupov for Ellis.
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After moving Jones, I doubt the Preds would be willing to move another D.
As for Yakupov, given the underwhelming start to his career, I doubt he would get a 2nd round pick in a trade never mind an actual NHL defenseman like Ellis.
Chiarelli missed a HUGE opportunity here.
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Think your wrong, after reading Matt Henderson he maven change your mind
http://oilersnation.com/2016/1/6/the-jones-bullet-dodged
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Not at all.
Jones is just 21 years old (barely) and has played 199 NHL games on likely the best defensive team in the NHL.
He would immediately be the Oilers best D with unlimited potential.
That he played behind Weber, Josi, Ellis and Ekholm doesn’t mean a pinch of coon shit.
Henderson is a fool.
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The Oilers could not make that trade!
Can’t happen!!
Andrew, you’ve been on the Oilers ass for years now ripping them about centre depth and you feel they missed an opertunity?!?
To do what?
Make there centre depth shit again?
I read here about Draisaitl not being able to handle the big boys on the road, getting gravy zone starts unsustainable shoot percentages and the rest.
Meanwhile, Draisaitl wasn’t even good enough in T-Macs eyes to make the opening day roster save for an injury to Eberle.
After 12 games I’m not sure what we have in McDavid except there is no way an 18 year old with 12 games experience should be your number one centre.
if I was Chai I’d offer sheet Jones and watch CBJ try to figure out what there going to do with there roster.
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I think Oilers best chance to get a top 4 d-man is Travis Hamonic.
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The Oilers need a #1D…not a top 4.
They just missed a huge opportunity.
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Teddy Purcell?
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Not enough offence.
Much better scoring talent is available for much less than Ellis.
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I don’t dislike the trade, but I’m not anointing Jones a number 1 D yet. One thing is for sure. We are going to find out how good he is (or isn’t) in a real hurry.
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On another note, I doubt Chia could have realistically beaten the CLB offer for Jones. RNH or Drai is less than Johansen right now and I’m not sure what other currency the Oilers had seeing as Poile obviously wanted a big centre.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see them get Purcell for a pick at the deadline.
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RNH is absolutely on par with Johansen and more likely better two way centre then johansen, and this year is a better 5×5 player than Johansen is.
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Under the circumstances,I don’t think you can draw many conclusions from Johansen’s performance this season.
Remember his coach was John Tortorella and he was able to make the Canucks offence implode in less than a season.
I expect Johansen will thrive in Nashville.
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I agree, completely.
I still think it would have been lunacy on both CBJ and Oilers to trade an established centre for a maybe 1st pairing but probably 2nd pairing D-man.
personally IMO, Nash wins this trade going away.
I still don’t think the Oilers missed out on anything special.
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We’ll see.
You have to remember that Jones just turned 21 and already has 199 NHL games on his resume with one of the best defensive teams in the league.
To my eye, he’s a better bet than Nurse to be a top pairing D and they are very hard to find.
The recipe for success is to build from the back out and THEN down the middle.
The reason the Oilers rebuild is taking forever is that they have so far done it backward.
I expect, in a couple of years we’ll be thinking that both teams won this trade while the Oilers continue their search for TWO top pairing D.
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Agreed with the rebuild, we both beat that drum dead.
However, I think Nurse and Jones are comparable but to early to tell, Nurse could still shit the bed and Jones may never get past that hump from 2nd to 1st pairing.
That shouldn’t stop the Oilers from using Eberle and whatever other assets that they have, be it picks, players, UFA’s or offer sheets to find one.
I still don’t use my centre’s as bait though, or they end up with no centre depth.
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It might take Eberle and a 1st round pick to get a 1st pairing D.
I would do that.
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The first rounder is worth more than Eberle. Its another great draft. It would have to be for something more established than Jones.
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Any ideas who?
I think you have to find a young d who is not quite there yet or his team won’t move him unless (like Nashville) they are overloaded on D and that train has sailed.
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I agree, and the list is short out there
Like you mentioned with the Oilers, they need a RHD first, so the options for trade are slim if the criteria is
RHD – age and potential 1st pairing.
I wonder if Chairelli takes a run for Burns, but does the age of Burns (30) play into a decision then.
The obvious choice would be Homonic, seeing as its doubtful both Winnipeg, Minny and Calgary will make a serious run at Homonic seeing as they all have quality defense men.
Ether way it’s going to be a grind out there for Chairelli come this summer
Jesus, I hope this shit ends soon.
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Chiarelli pissed away a lot of valuable assets to acquire Reinhart.
Just so dumb.
Now he has to try again.
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I don’t think Nashville is unique in that sense.
Minnesota is swimming in them and Dumba needs an extension.
St.Louis has no cap space and they cant score at even strength. Tough decisions need to be made there and they might like Parayko more than Peitrangelo, especially in terms of cap hit.
Carolina and New Jersey both have a strong D as well in my opinion.
I’d basically target these teams, using Eberle, Yakupov, and any combination of picks this year as currency.
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The only D I can see shaking loose from those teams are Brodin and Shattenkirk. I don’t think either is what the Oilers need.
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Marko Dano was traded to Chicago. Jenner has played primarily on the wing. Dubinsky is broken.
Not a terrible trade for CLB, if Jones turns in a #1 D then great. But they definitely took a huge risk trading a proven #1 C for a current 3rd paring D with 1st paring potential.
The problem for the Oilers is that they need a PROVEN #1 D right now. Not more potential. If the Oilers plan to be a play off team for the last two years of McD’s entry level deal then they need to trade for someone better (more established) than Jones. The Oilers are in no position to develop (or try to develop) another D. They already have Nurse, Davidson and Reinhart.
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Right you are about Dano.
But Jenner is a natural centre and I’m not sure why you think Dubinsky is broke.
While Weinberg is not a #1C at the moment, he’s looking very good lately.
I agree it would be best if the Oilers acquire and established #1D.
The question is who (and how)?
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F–k Musil………Bullshit draft pick.
Got to love Jenner
Question:
Can the Oilers wait another year with only top 4 D-men and try and get Burns at the trade deadline next season?
The how has to be Eberle and picks for a number 1 D.
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The Oilers keep burning expensive contracts while they plod along.
Not a winning strategy.
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Is Hamonic in your mind a #1 D? Does adding him to the top pair RHS solve the issue?
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Not even close. He’s a 2-3 on a good team
The Oilers need a #1
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Hamonic is clearly a better defenseman than Jones and you said the Oilers should have traded for Jones. Are you saying the Oilers shouldn’t try to land Hamonic?
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Hamonic is “currently” better than Jones.
Hamonic is 25 years old.
Jones is 21, bigger, faster and with a better pedigree.
Offensively, Jones has 11points this season while Hamonic has 8.
Jones is at .67 P/60 5V5
Hamonic is at .61 P/60 5V5 despite playing on a higher scoring team.
The Oilers need a big, offensively productive #1D who can play in all situations 25 minutes a night.
That ain’t Hamonic although acquiring him would make the Oilers D better.
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Now you are back to talking about the potential of Jones after agreeing in a previous comment the Oilers need an established defenseman.
I give up.
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Has it occurred to you that Oilers need TWO top pairing D?
They do.
The only way to get a true #1 D is to draft one or have the assets to trade for a young guy who has can’t miss potential like Jones.
Remember he was ranked #1 overall by pretty much everyone before falling to Nashville at #4.
Jone will be a #1D sooner rather than later and he now plays for Columbus while the Oilers have SFA either on the team or in the system with that potential.
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I don’t care where Jones was ranked in his draft year. He isn’t a #1 defenseman today, and he may never get there. A smart GM doesn’t trade an established #1 Center for potential. Poor trade by Columbus and all this trade did was make them the favourite to finish last this year. Columbus is a terrible franchise, with terrible management.
Remember, Ryan Murray and Griffin Reinhardt were two recent examples of defenceman taken in the top 4 overall in their draft year, and neither have proven that they’re #1 defenceman.
Jones is a lock to be a #1 defenseman the same way Yakupov is a lock to be a consistent 40 goal scorer.
Hey, maybe that’s the answer. Using your logic the Oilers should trade Yak for a #1 defenseman. Chairelli can call the other GM’s in the NHL and tell them “Remember he was ranked #1 overall by pretty much everyone” in his draft year. Cause we all know being ranked number 1 in your draft year is a lock for a first line player.
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I think DSF is right on the button on a few things.
1) The Oilers do need TWO first pairing D-men left and one right.
2) The RHD HAS to bring offense and play in all situations, think Shattenkirk as an example.
However, you want to win while McDavid is in his ELC, so the Oilers have to do something very soon.
A perfect trade would be Hamonic and Shattenkirk IMO
Hamonic- Shattenkirk
Sekera – Klefbom
Nurse – Davidson
Looks great on paper and has a nice balance, this way you can bring Nurse along just like Nashville did with Jones and gives the Oilers a chance to go deep while McDavid & Draisaitl are still on ELC’s.
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I don’t care where Jones was ranked in his draft year. He isn’t a #1 defenseman today, and he may never get there. A smart GM doesn’t trade an established #1 Center for potential. Poor trade by Columbus and all this trade did was make them the favourite to finish last this year. Columbus is a terrible franchise, with terrible management.
Remember, Ryan Murray and Griffin Reinhardt were two recent examples of defenceman taken in the top 4 overall in their draft year, and neither have proven that they’re #1 defenceman.
Jones is a lock to be a #1 defenseman the same way Yakupov is a lock to be a consistent 40 goal scorer.
Hey, maybe that’s the answer. Using your logic the Oilers should trade Yak for a #1 defenseman. Chairelli can call the other GM’s in the NHL and tell them “Remember he was ranked #1 overall by pretty much everyone” in his draft year.
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How, exactly, would you propose the Oilers obtain a #1D?
GMs make bets on every, draft, trade or free agent signing.
Kelkalainen has made a bet that Jones will live up to his potential and draft pedigree.
You seem to be convinced Jones won’t do that and I’m wondering how you have come to that conclusion considering Jones is only 21 and was playing behind a few of the best D in the league in Nashville.
Looks like a pretty good bet to me.
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I think the Oilers first rounder this summer (likely in the top-5) will have huge value. This will likely be enough to obtain one substantial D. Maybe Shattenkirk or someone similar.
I have a feeling that if RNH does not pick it up in the 2nd half he might be used to acquire a D. Love the player but he has struggled this year. Oilers Could use his cap space for a D and cheaper 3C. Maybe RNH for Hamonic + Strome – throw in draft picks/prospects where needed.
Also on an unrelated note, any low to mid-range whiskey recommendations? Around 50-65 a bottle?
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I don’t often go for the mid range ones since I tend to treasure the high end stuff as an occasional treat. One under rated quaff that is reasonably priced is Glendfidich that can be very satisfying.
http://www.glenfiddich.com/ca/collection/all/
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I told you the Oilers will trade Yakupov for a top pair defenseman. You said it yourself:
From DSF:
“Remember he was ranked #1 overall by pretty much everyone before falling to Nashville at #4.”
Since you’ve established that being ranked #1 means you’re a slam dunk to be a top line player, I’m sure many GM’s (if they’re as smart as you are) will be happy to give up a top pairing defenseman for Yakupov.
Again, DSF, it’s a poor bet. You don’t trade an established first line center for a 21 year old defenseman playing on the third pairing who’s still developing.
And furthermore, the Oilers already have Klefbom, Nurse, and Davidson on their backend. What they need is another established veteran (Hamonic would be excellent) to take some of the heavy lifting, and not another young defenseman (Jones) who needs shelter themselves.
Maybe Chiarelli knows his team needs a top pairing defenseman now and passed on Jones for these reasons, despite your need to claim that every NHL transaction was a negative as it pertains to the Oilers.
Finally to answer your question, “How, exactly, would you propose the Oilers obtain a #1D?”, like any GM Chairelli has some options. Sign a UFA, like he did successfully with Sekera, or trade for one. I’m pretty sure that Chairelli has the assets to acquire a top pairing defenseman via trade, don’t you agree? All of Hall, Draisaitl, McDavid, Eberle, their 2016 first round draft pick could be used individually or packaged up if needed. Only of course if the Yakupov offer you suggested doesn’t pan out.
Chairelli can have another top pairing defenseman tomorrow if he wants one.
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Well, I’ve been saying for a couple of years that the Oilers should trade Hall for a #1D so we agree there.
Yakupov, despite having plenty of opportunity, has proven to be a very disappointing pick….I doubt you could get a decent second pairing D for him.
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I’m sure Chia made the attempt on Jones, but I’m also sure he just didn’t have what Poile was looking for considering what he got. I’d bet Poile would have taken Draisaitl before RNH.
We know he made a better offer than the Flames for Hamilton. Politics being what it is, wouldn’t allow it.
We know he’s been in talks for Hamonic…and we can also assume the ask isn’t a forward so Its unlikely that trade ever happens.
I have faith Chia is in talks all the time for a defenseman. I know this based on the simple premise that he watches the games. Schultz, Hunt, Nikitin, Ference…these are not NHL defenseman. Gryba and Nurse play more minutes than what’s good for them, and if having Klefbom out is the make or break injury of the season, then the injury itself isn’t the biggest problem.
The #1 D option may never come available, but guys like Sekera, Davidson, and Klefbom are one half of a respectable defence by committee back end. Bring guys in that allow Nurse either less minutes or better yet AHL time, and that completely pushes Schultz out of the lineup. Better isn’t perfect but it is by definition….better. The Oilers are 2 NHL defenseman away from competing. I don’t think they need to be elite, they just need to be legitimate.
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Excellent post on all counts although I believe, to be a championship team, the Oilers will need to find a dominant #1D.
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You see, this is were I do believe we get Hamonic in the summer and it wont be for one of the Oilers D-man.
He’s going to be traded, he wont be back in NY come next year, there really is only one maybe two teams that really need him given his choice of teams he will accept a trade to.
I also think the Oilers have good shot at Shattenkirk and the cost might be very little in terms of picks or actual roster players.
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Klefbom has a staph infection? This is bad. Good Luck to him.
The Oilers can’t get out of Rexall fast enough.
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