Jackets 2012 Draft Preview

[Virtual Jarmo]

NASH TRADE GIVES JACKETS MORE DRAFT OPTIONS
By: Tito Crawford

The Columbus Blue Jackets picked up two additional first round picks for Saturday's 2012 EHEC Entry Draft thanks to trades involving two of the team's biggest players and the fan base is concerned with the direction of the team. "We better hit home runs with these picks," GM Adam Burke stated during his pre-draft conference call with the media.

The Blue Jackets traded franchise forward Rick Nash to the New York Islanders for former first-round pick Erik Gudbranson, high second-round pick Maxim Kitsyn, goaltender Pekka Rinne, the 37th overall selection in the draft, and a top-ten selection in the 2012 EHEC Entry Draft. The Jackets will pick seventh in the first round with that selection.

"The Nash trade was difficult for us as an organization. For one thing, Rick has been the face of the franchise since 2003. When we took over in 2009, we understood why the city loved Rick and we loved him to. It was just time to go separate ways, build our team in a different way, and Rick was our top trade asset. I think he knew that and will embrace the opportunity to play on Long Island," Burke said of his former top scorer and best all-around player.

"We love the pieces we got. We got what amounts to four first-round picks in our mind. Obviously we'll pick seventh, but we thought Kitsyn should have been a much higher pick in 2010. Gudbranson is a monster of a defenseman and Rinne and a high second rounder is pretty close to first round value."

When asked what the team is looking for at the seventh pick, Burke dangled a couple carrots for the media. "Well, to be honest, we want an impact forward. We have a couple of players in mind that have strong skill sets. I think we're looking for a center who we can trust on a second line and will be a distributor of the puck. We like our wingers a lot and the trades we've made have certainly made us younger."

The Blue Jackets also added the 19th overall pick as a result of the David Backes trade that sent him to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the franchise hosting the draft. "I think the fans will be a little unhappy that they won't have anything to cheer for on the first day," Burke laughed. "But, they get Backes who is a better player than anybody outside of maybe the top five picks."

What was the motivation for a trade like this? "Honestly, we weren't real motivated to move Backes. Three or four teams have constantly asked about David and Pittsburgh was one of them. We think Armia has a great shot to be a productive player and he was the centerpiece of the deal. We like the 19th pick and there's a chance that we'll go off the board with that pick and surprise some people.Gustavsson was in there for salary purposes, but he'll get his share of playing time while we're paying him."

The Blue Jackets also hold their own pick, the 27th selection in the first round. "This pick might be in play for a trade," Burke hinted. "I think there are some teams who might want to sneak into the last few picks of the first round and make a play for somebody. With Los Angeles's pick next year, we'd be just fine with a second or third first rounder in 2013."

The Jackets also hold the Islanders 37th pick, but then won't pick again for a while.

"We like where we are. We just would like to see some things fall into place for us."