Looks like we might have some newly uncovered evidence that the old regime of the Columbus Blue Jackets management failed to listen to the leadership of the team during the COVID pandemic, leading the team to the current rebuilding state that they are in.
Originally discussed early last week on FM 97.1 in Columbus, head beat writer Aaron Portzline of the Athletic revealed some team concerns regarding the team and some players that were recently acquired.
The players that were brought into the fold then? Forward Patrik Laine and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins. The two most recently rumored players to be dealt from the team. Apparently, this unheard time bomb went off internally in the 2020-2021 year per Portzline:
I also think back to a meeting with the veteran players, I think it was maybe after the 19-20 season (believe it was 20-21 he meant), and if my recollection is right it was Cam, it was Seth Jones, it was Werenski, it was Foligno for sure, maybe Gus Nyquist. What do we need to do here to make this thing work? You guys know what a good room is like, you've seen it. And the players, they have a hard time doing this sometimes, and you understand why, basically came back with "You gotta get Laine and Merzlikins out of here." That's steps one and two. The organization heard that and said, "You know what let's get rid of the people who said that," not the people that they mentioned. And look who all's gone."
You read that right. Atkinson, Jones. Werenski, Foligno, and Nyquist together told JK/JD that Laine and Merzlikins needed to be traded in 2021 because of locker room morale and lack of a “winning mentality”.
Nick Foligno
The captain of the Blue Jackets at the time was traded near the 2021 trade deadline in a three team trade with the San Jose Sharks to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 201 first round draft pick that became defender Corson Ceulemans and a 2022 fourth.
The fourth was flipped to Nashville for Mathieu Olivier. The pick was flipped back to Toronto by the Preds which became goalie Dennis Hildeby.
Ceulemans has yet to play in the show. Olivier is regarded as a Top 5 or 10 tough guy currently in the league. He is a pending UFA. He has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1.
Seth Jones
Jones was the top RHD in Columbus in their runs against Pitt, Washington, and Tampa. Jones was dealt at the 2021 draft with a first round pick that belonged to Tampa and a 2022 6th. The first became defenseman Nolan Allan. The forward became forward Dominic James.
Columbus got back a first in 2021, which became Cole Sillinger.
They got back defender Adam Boqvist, who was bought out this summer by President and General Manager Don Waddell. Boqvist is now on Florida.
They got a 2022 unprotected first round pick thst became David Jiricek.
They also got a 2021 2nd that they flipped to Carolina for defender Jake Bean. Bean signed with Calgary this summer.
All that is left from this trade internally is Sillinger and Jiricek.
Cam Atkinson
Atkinson was traded July 24, the day after the Jones trade. Atkinson was flipped to Philadelphia for forward Jakub Voracek. The deal was one for one.
Atkinson was bought out this summer by Philadelphia and has signed a one year deal with Tampa Bay.
Voracek was forced to retire due to concussions and was dealt at the 2023 trade deadline with a sixth round draft pick to Arizona for goalie Jon Gilles. The pick became forward Samu Bau.
Gustav Nyquist
Nyquist was traded at the 2023 trade deadline to the Minnesota Wild at 50% salary retrained for a 2023 5th round draft pick originally held by Boston. The pick became goalie Melvin Strahl, who put up a 0.903 save percentage in 30 SHL Jr. Games.
Zach Werenski
The highest paid home grown talent is still here and poised for a spot on Team USA for the Four Nations and Olympics.
And on the other side
Patrik Laine
Laine was traded on August 19 with a 2026 2nd round draft pick for defenseman Jordan Harris. Harris makes a $1.4M cap hit and is a pending RFA. Harris has 32 points in 131 career NHL games.
Laine never had a 30 goal season in Columbus. Sure, there was COVID, a concussion, torn labrum, and a stint in the NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He needs to come back with a vengeance. He moves to maybe the worst or second worst team in the Atlantic.
Elvis Merzlikins
President and General Manager Waddell has made it clear nobody wants his contract. He is here for at least part of the season. He only begins year 3 of 5 of this deal, meaning this season plus two more years at $5.4M. Waddell admitted that he tried trading for him in Carolina, so this may boost his ego. Back to back sub 0.900 seasons for a starting goalie is unacceptable, no matter what mindset or tragedy strikes an athlete.
Merzlikins needs to come back to form for a team like a Buffalo, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, Chicago, Anaheim, Los Angeles, or maybe Minnesota or Washington to consider.
Going with Laine and Merzlikins has crippled this team and has not made the playoffs since they joined the roster.
What are your thoughts of siding with the old leadership group or Laine/Elvis??
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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