Blue Jackets Rumors: Johnny Gaudreau Could Be Traded This Offseason

The Columbus Blue Jackets will continue making changes as they look to gain some relevancy in the Eastern Conference and that means they may put Johnny Gaudreau on the trade market.

Gaudreau signed a seven-year $68.2 million contract with Columbus back in the summer of 2022 and in two seasons with the club, hasn't been the same 'Johnny Hockey' he was in Calgary. Gaudreau has recorded just 134 points in 161 games with the Blue Jackets, after posting a 115-point season during his contract year with the Flames.

The New Jersey native has five years left on his deal, paying him $9.75 million per season. Gaudreau also has all the cards in the situation as his full no-movement clause until 2026-27 gives him full authority to pick his next destination should the Blue Jackets look to pull the trigger.

To this point, it hasn't been confirmed the team has or will ask Gaudreau to waive his no-movement clause. The Blue Jackets also have Patrik Laine to worry about who has taken a break from hockey and is a complex situation to say the least. There's also goaltender Elvis Merzlikins who asked for a trade in-season and was not granted his wish.

Needless to say the Blue Jackets are a bit of a mess and this past season they became the punchline of the NHL with the Mike Babcock cell-phone debacle. It could be time to completely overhaul their roster which could mean Gaudreau hits the trade market leading into the NHL Draft in June.