Don't Mess With The Metro

The Columbus Blue Jackets, have made some….interesting moves so far this offseason. The addition of Artemi Panarin in a blockbuster of a trade, the signings of some free agents, and the other additions from the NHL Entry Draft play a big role in what is forthcoming for the Jackets. The trade to acquire Artemi Panarin was a shock to the hockey world and myself included. On the day of the draft just hours before many NHL sources had tweeted out that Columbus and Chicago were working something out to bring Saad back to Chicago and the United Center.

Saad, 24, won two cups with Chicago and was traded to Columbus in 2015, on another draft day deal. Saad put up 53 points in both of his seasons in Columbus, slightly better in what he put up with Chicago. Artemi Panarin, 25,  however, can be a true superstar in Columbus. He can be the go to, number one guy. In Chicago he was slightly overshadowed by linemate Patrick Kane and star center Jonathan Toews. The winger put up 74 points last season and 77 in his rookie season, enough to win him the Calder trophy. Panarin will play on a line with Alexander Wennberg according to GM Jarmo Kekalainen, and on his other wing is yet to be determined. A +18 rating is also something to be aware of, Panarin is more of a offensive minded player but his defensive side is also something to look at. There were other parts of the deal as well, G Anton Forsberg and a 5th round pick is also going to Chicago, Tyler Motte and a 6th round pick is coming to Columbus. Motte, 22, is a solid depth player that will be able to possibly help out Columbus when needed. He put up 14 points in 33 games with Chicago in his rookie season which will be a nice depth add to Columbus in the upcoming season. Anton Forsberg the goaltender in which is going to the Chicago blackhawks led the AHL Cleveland Monsters to a Calder cup in 2015-16, has had some good success but has not transitioned that success to the NHL level. He put up a 1-9 record in Columbus when he was starting and had okay at best numbers.

The Panarin-Saad trade was a great trades for both sides in retrospect. The Chicago Blackhawks got a player that played incredibly well with back in their locker room and the Columbus Blue jackets got the scoring, “Gamebreaker” that they have been looking for. The Blue Jackets have lost William Karlsson to the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft as well. Karlsson, who was an excellent penalty killer and a great reliant 3rd line player will be a blow to the Blue Jackets, but with the young depth that theyhave a guy such as Pierre-Luc Dubois may be able to step in and fill that void. young prospects have always been a strong suit for Columbus and development is one thing to not look away from. The Blue Jackets have some great young talent that can step in very, very soon. 

(From Left: Sonny Milano, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Vitaly Abramov)

First we look at Pierre-Luc Dubois. Dubois, who had a pretty good year in the QMJHL will look to make the Blue Jackets squad this season. The young #3 overall pick in the 2016 draft had high praise from GM Jarmo Kekalainen and expectations are high. Many believe that he will not live up to those expectations, but with the void at center the Blue Jackets have had, he may be thinking something quite different. Vitaly Abramov, another young star who played for the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL put up 104 points (46 G, 58 A) won the QMJHL player of the year honors may look to crack the Blue jackets team as quick as possible as well. The final young prospect that is coming to the forefront is winger Sonny Milano. Milano has been discussed in many trade rumors, in which the most prominent being Matt Duchene , but most believe that he will have a shot at the NHL team this upcoming season. Milano, who has put up some impressive numbers with the AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters will have a major chance at making the squad. The Blue Jackets have made some minor moves including the trade to bring Jordan Schroeder from Minnesota to Columbus, and bring defenseman Andre Benoit also to help out the defense are great adds as well.

We will see what Columbus Does this year, but there is one thing to know: Watch Out.

Follow Eric on Twitter: @Werenski_