The Nashville Predators want to take that small, but tremendously difficult step from good team to serious Cup contender. The Columbus Blue Jackets just want to find some way to stem the rising tide that has almost overcome them again this season.
The two franchises may now be discussing a "blockbuster" trade that could accomplish both ends. Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday that trade talks between Predators GM Dave Poile and Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen have "intensified" in the past few days.
It's not surprising, as Portzline notes, considering the needs of both teams seem to line up fairly well with one another.
The Jackets have been "testing" trade value on No. 1 center Ryan Johansen almost since the beginning of the season. Johansen is a supremely talented player, but also seems to have become something of a poster child for the team's failings and overall underperformance in recent seasons.
The Predators could desperately use another top center with scoring ability. Johansen, despite his faults, has that in spades.
For the Blue Jackets, their needs exist almost exclusively on the blueline. The Predators have a number of young, talented defenseman that probably look quite enticing to Kekalainen. Of course, Poile has said already this season that he'd prefer not to deal away any of his defenders, but it seems he's going to have to if he really wants to land a player like Johansen.
The most interesting aspect of Portzline's report though, may be the other names likely to be involved. It seems the Blue Jackets will try to unload a bad contract as part of the deal. Per Portzline, Fedor Tyutin and Scott Hartnell are among the names that have been mentioned, but there are others, including Jared Boll and David Clarkson. Hartnell was said to be on the trade block earlier this week.
Blue Jackets prospect Kerby Rychel has reportedly also asked out of Columbus, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him involved in what could amount to the biggest deal the hockey world has seen since the Buffalo Sabres landed Evander Kane last season.
