Blue Jackets Rumors: 3 Early Season Trade Candidates

The Columbus Blue Jackets have started the season as many expected, sitting with a 3-7-0 record. It's going to be a struggle this season in Ohio and Blue Jackets fans should be holding out hope the team wins the lottery and gets to draft Connor Bedard. For now, teams are going to circle the Blue Jackets for assets as the team will eventually become sellers. Here's three players to watch as trade chatter picks up:

Gustav Nyquist

As colleague Michael DeRosa reported: Nyquist is entering the final season of his contract where he carries a $5.5 million cap hit. In 10 games on the year thus far, he has struggled a little, as he has two goals and two assists. Yet, he certainly has the potential to heat up again when noting that he just had 18 goals and 53 points in 82 games last season. Therefore, we should see a market form for his services.

Vladislav Gavrikov

26-year-old defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov is a pending free agent who could be flipped for some assets. The former sixth-round pick makes $2.8 million against the cap and has appeared in 10 games, registering two points. Last season was a breakout year for Gavrikov as he registered a career-high 33 points in 80 games. A number of teams are looking for more depth on their blue line so should they choose, the Blue Jackets would have no issues unloading the 6-foot-3 defender.

Joonas Korpisalo

Another pending free agent, Joonas Korpisalo was given a one-year contract before the season started and was given the task to be solid in a backup role. He's yet to appear in an NHL game, and will be a goaltender to watch early on this season as many teams are looking for more depth at the position.

Photo credit:  Jeff Le-USA TODAY Sports