With the Blue Jackets reportedly looking to trade defensemen Jack Johonson and Fedor Tyutin, they will need to find defensive replacements whether it's internally or externally. Here are a couple of guys on other teams that may intrigue the Blue Jackets.
Justin Schultz
If Jack Johnson is on the trade block, there needs to be an offensive defenseman to replace him. Edmonton Oilers' general manger Peter Chiarelli is not sastified with the performance of defenseman Justin Schultz, and is looking on the trade market for a potential return. From what I'm seeing and hearing, the Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings are in on him. He is being paid less than $4 million this year.
Schultz was a former 2nd round pick of the Anaheim Ducks (43rd overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The Ducks drafted Jake Gardiner in the first round. Schultz left Anaheim as a collegiate UFA after playing four years at Wisconsin. He signed with the Edmonton Oilers the year they drafted Nail Yaupkov and the the Blue Jackets drafted Ryan Murray (2012).
The return is unknown, but my guess is a young defenseman and a draft pick.
Christian Ehrhoff
The German defenseman has fell out of contention with the Los Angeles Kings after being assigned to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. The Jackets highly pursued him in the summer, to the point where his agent came out and said that he specifically wanted to play in Columbus. After being unclaimed, it is surprising to see he is still on the Kings roster. Maybe there is something the Jackets want to move to LA.
Ehrhoff was a former draft of the San Jose Shakrs and has been all over the place since. He has played with the Vancouver Cnaucks; then his rights were traded to the New York Islanders, and never signed a contract with them; he signed a 10 year, $40 million dollar contract with the Buffalo Sabres; was bought out and signed a one year, $4 million dollar deal with Pittsburgh; and signed with LA to a one year, $1.5 million dollar contract.
If the Kings are looking to move him, his asking price is probably now a late round draft pick.
What are your thoughts on the Kings and Oilers? Will either guy be moved, and if so, for what? Comment below. More to come…