From Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:
After months of planning and strategy, the Blue Jackets’ summer of significant change is nearing the launch pad.
A trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the negotiating rights to winger Ryan Malone could be struck today or, more likely, Wednesday, NHL sources told The Dispatch.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets continue to make and receive calls for the sixth and 19th overall picks in this weekend’s NHL draft, hoping to use either to land a No. 1 center.
“There’s lots of interest,” Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said. “I’m taking as many calls as I’m making right now.”
Read more speculation about the Blue Jackets here.
The speculation surrounding the Blue Jackets is certainly consistent. The team obviously has lots of interest in Ryan Malone and the article points out that we should hear back on that possibly within the next day or two.
As for their draft choices, Scott Howson is a patient GM, so I can see him going right up until the first few picks of the draft before pulling a deal for a top-line center or top-pair defenseman.
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