Blue Jackets Looking To Add Top Line Center

The Columbus Blue Jackets have already made the biggest trade of the season after acquiring Jack Roslovic and Patrik Laine from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. It now appears that the Blue Jackets will make another big splash.

The big trade has already started to pay off for the Blue Jackets, especially after evaluating Roslovic's performance. GM Jarmo Kekalainen gave up a high end talent, but now there's a gaping hole at the top center position.

The organization has been in the market for a top end center after dealing Dubois, but this is always a challenge.

It's a challenge because they're just not available. You usually have to draft and develop one. We did that well with one player, but now he's not here. Now we have to get back into our hunt, finding a centerman either through the draft or through a trade. They aren't available very often. There could be some available in the free agent market next summer.

Former GM Doug MacLean was highly criticized for not having a top end center after the decline of Rick Nash. Kekalainen does not need to repeat the mistakes of the past, hence the reason for drafting Dubois 3rd overall in 2016.

We'll keep searching and doing our job and building a team.We have some very good potential center ice men growing into that role with our team. But we're also going to look for ways to strengthen that position from the outside.

The player Kekalainen is referring to is believed to be Alexandre Texier, who was drafted 45th overall in 2017. He has 8 points in 26 games this season, but he will continue to grow as he gains more NHL experience. For the time being, the Blue Jackets will seek to fill the top spot, whether that be by draft, trade, or free agency.

Blue Jackets Sunday Gathering: Seeking a center, adding power to Patrik Laine’s game https://t.co/9caJVL4G14
— Hockey Talk ❇️ (@HockeyTalkNews) March 8, 2021