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Week One of Waddell Moves |
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The first week of major moves by the new Alternate Governor/President of Hockey Operations/General Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets — Don Waddell — have been completed. Despite all the rumors of things for the club “cooking” on the draft floor, the team remained calm through the storm.
Through the draft, the Jackets traded up to have an additional second round draft for a third and fifth. They also traded winger Alexandre Texier to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the 2025 4th round draft pick. The Jackets wound up having six draft picks at the Sphere.
Drafted
1. F Cayden Lindstrom - 2024 1st Round, 4th Overall (Medicine Hat Tigers - WHL)
2. D Charlie Elick - 2024 2nd Round, 36th Overall
3. G Evan Gardner - 2024 2nd Round, 60th overall
4. D Luca Marelli - 2024 3rd Round, 86th overall
5. D Tanner Henricks - 2024 4th Round, 101st overall
6. D Luke Ashton - 2024 4th Round, 165th overall
All heights of the players selected were between six foot two and six foot five. Size, strength, and physicality are back in the league again.
The Blue Jackets also made bold changes to the depth of the roster, moving the depth of the primarily including adding experience.
Departed
D Adam Boqvist - bought out
D Jakub Zboril
D Billy Sweezey - signed with Boston
D Jake Bean - signed with Calgary
D Nick Blankenburg - signed with Nashville
F Josh Dunne - signed with Buffalo
F Alexander Nylander
F Brendan Gaunce - signed with Minnesota
Signed
F Sean Monahan - five year deal
F Dylan Gambrell - two way deal
F Owen Sillinger - two way deal
D Jack Johnson - veteran minimum deal
D Cole Clayton - two way deal
Columbus added some veteran depth for the roster, and reunited chemistry. The roster age has gone up with Gambrell being in his prime. His regular season success with the Marlies may lead him to being the top center with the Monsters. Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau are reunited for the first time since the Calgary days. Thankfully, Montreal gave him the time to rehab and find himself again. He could start the year as the top center with Johnny G and captain Boone. Johnson gets the chemistry back with old teammates Zach Werenski and Erik Gudbranson. The veteran brings back the experience of the Stanley Cup and re-joins the list of former Michigan alumni. It also gets him a chance to be in the Outdoor game.
The franchise is still missing a few pieces - size and depth on offense and defense; a true top center; and a starting goalie. Hopefully, the club keeps working the phones and gets some more answers. Giving who is left on the market, what does Waddell do next? More to come…
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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