Stora NHL-draft-tråden

As you read this, Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen should be penning a flowery "thank you" note to Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams.

Earlier on Friday, the Sabres sent defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen -- same age as Seth Jones, same cap hit as Seth Jones -- to the Philadelphia Flyers for the 13th overall pick, a 2023 second-rounder and defenseman Robert Hagg. Whatever the ask on Jones, that Flyers package became the minimum trade request for acquiring one year of his services.


But the Blackhawks weren't just trading for one season; they were trading for the chance to sign him to eight seasons beyond that. So Kekalainen was able to squeeze Boqvist and another first-round pick out of the Blackhawks as well.

What. A. Haul.

Kekalainen had no leverage outside of threatening to move Jones to another one of his preferred destinations, like Colorado or Dallas -- neither of whom might have been able to go to $9.5 million for him, for what it's worth. Jones wasn't coming back. Having him on the Blue Jackets' roster this coming season was untenable. So he had to go.

With that in mind, Kekalainen pulled off an absolute treasure trove from Chicago. It gives the Jackets the chance to use those picks to rebuild. It gives the Jackets the treasure to acquire a young star of their own -- perhaps one who doesn't want to leave Columbus. Or, at the very least, one who will be under contract for a while.