Columbus Blue Jackets moving on from 2 veterans

There's some roster changes coming for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

After Rick Bowness took over behind the bench and went on a magical run, the Blue Jackets fell short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bowness wasn't shy to speak out about the culture of the team, and called out the entire roster at his end-of-season media availability, that they've become to accept losing.

GM Don Waddell is going to make significant changes to their roster and the summer of trades is expected across the league. Waddell will also have a few big decisions to make when it comes to pending free agents, and according to Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco, a couple of veteran blueliners won't be back:

Anthony Di Marco: Re Blue Jackets: Speaking with sources, it doesn’t sound like pending UFAs Erik Gudbranson or Brendan Smith will be back - Daily Faceoff (5/1)

It shouldn't really come to anyone's surprise that Waddell would be interested in moving on as both defenceman are in the back nine of their careers, and both have lost a step. The Blue Jackets need to improve their team speed, and mobility on their back end, so look for Waddell to make some trade offers at the NHL Draft next month in Buffalo.

There's also Boone Jenner, who is an unrestricted free agent, and word is, he's considering a change of scenery, and will be going to market on July 1, to see what kind of multi-year offers he can land from other clubs.

Big changes coming for the Blue Jackets, and it starts with a couple of their depth defencemen.

Photo credit:   Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images