COLUMBUS, Ohio — Like Jakob Chychrun and the Arizona Coyotes last week, the Blue Jackets held defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov out of their lineup Tuesday for "trade-related reasons."
A deal might not be close, though, largely due to the seemingly inflated asking price, according to TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston
"I think there's still some 'sticker shock' on the price because the Blue Jackets are sticking, at least to this point, to a three-draft pick kind of return: a first, a third and a fourth at least one team was told this week and I think what makes that even tougher is the fact that this player is a pending unrestricted free agent," Johnston said Wednesday.
Additionally, Gavrikov is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and any acquiring team might want some assurance he’d stick around. Johnston added Gavrikov might want to test the market, making him a pure rental.
"It doesn't sound like he's inclined to talk to whatever team ends up acquiring him about an extension at this point in time and so you'd be spending those three assets for a rental player who probably wants to become a free agent this summer."
Gavrikov, 27, is a heavy-hitting, minute-munching defenseman. He was drafted in the 6th round back in 2015, and recorded 10 points in 52 games this season prior to being scratched.
Locked on Blue Jackets host Jay Forster points out the Blue Jackets already lost a trade asset in Gus Nyquist to a season-ending injury, and they can’t afford to see Gavrikov get hurt and become unmovable.
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That lends to the notion that a trade isn’t necessarily imminent, but they just want to put him in bubble wrap with a couple weeks to go until the deadline.
The Blue Jackets are in the midst of a disastrous season after surprising everyone last summer by signing Johnny Gaudreau. At this point, they appear to be in reset mode, with a view to improving their odds of drafting high in a stacked 2023 class.
Adding as many picks as possible would be prudent, but time will tell if suitors step up and meet the asking price.