Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell kept his strategy heading into the NHL trade deadline clear: he wasn’t planning to make any major moves that would disrupt the team’s current roster. Despite his transparency with both rival GMs and the media, there were moments that reinforced his confidence in his approach. Early on Friday, Waddell received texts from two players on the team, expressing their support and belief in the group’s ability to continue their successful run. One unnamed top player even messaged, “We’ve gotten the team this far. We can get it the rest of the way.” These messages were particularly meaningful, as they highlighted the strong camaraderie and leadership within the team, which Waddell has consistently praised.
Waddell’s main goals for the trade deadline were twofold: to not trade pending free agent defenseman Ivan Provorov and to add a proven NHL forward to bolster the roster. With less than two hours left before the deadline, he accomplished the latter by acquiring Luke Kunin, a versatile and experienced 27-year-old center, from the San Jose Sharks. In exchange, the Blue Jackets traded a fourth-round draft pick they had previously acquired from the St. Louis Blues. Kunin, a first-round pick in 2016, brings a wealth of NHL experience, having played in 422 games across three teams, and is known for his ability to play both center and wing. His signing aligns with the team’s immediate needs, especially with key centers Sean Monahan and Cole Sillinger sidelined due to injuries. Both are expected to return later this month, and Kunin’s addition provides much-needed depth and stability to the lineup.
The acquisition of Kunin also reflects Waddell’s initial plan to strengthen the team’s forward lineup. Originally, he had considered trading for a young, high-scoring forward, even if it meant parting with a first-round draft pick. However, the quicker-than-expected recovery of leading goal-scorer Kirill Marchenko shifted Waddell’s focus to acquiring a top-nine forward with NHL experience. The team has been relying on call-ups from their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, due to numerous injuries, and Kunin’s arrival, along with the waiver claim of Christian Fischer from the Detroit Red Wings, ensures that the Blue Jackets now have four solid NHL lines capable of making an impact. One NHL scout described Kunin as “Sean Kuraly with more offensive upside,” highlighting his defensive reliability and potential for contributing to the team’s offense.
Despite the quiet appearance of the Blue Jackets’ moves on the transaction wire—only the Kunin trade and a couple of minor-league demotions—Waddell was actively engaged in several potential deals that didn’t come to fruition. He was involved in discussions to act as a third-party broker in at least three trades, where the team would take on salary to facilitate a deal between other teams. However, none of these deals materialized, and Waddell noted that while the Blue Jackets have ample salary cap space, what they lacked was second-round draft picks. This week alone, 11 second-round picks across the 2025, 2026, and 2027 drafts were traded, but Columbus doesn’t have a second-round pick in 2025 or 2026. Waddell emphasized the importance of good asset management, opting not to trade one of their first-round picks for multiple second-round picks. He acknowledged that while some teams were specifically seeking a second-round pick, he believed the value wasn’t worth the cost.
The Blue Jackets made a few roster adjustments ahead of the trade deadline, sending players like Mikael Pyyhtiä, Joe LaBate, and Denton Mateychuk to the minors. These moves were partly to make room for the new additions, Fischer and Kunin. Mateychuk’s demotion was a procedural move to ensure he could play in the AHL playoffs if the Blue Jackets don’t make the NHL playoffs or get eliminated early. Waddell noted that the team hasn’t made a decision on their playoff plans yet but wants to keep options open. Meanwhile, Pyyhtiä and LaBate are expected to remain in the AHL for now, given the reinforcements brought in by the trade deadline moves.
Looking ahead, the Blue Jackets are in a promising position, holding onto the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference as they enter the final stretch of the season. Despite the tragic loss of teammate Johnny Gaudreau before training camp and a series of injuries that have tested their resilience, the team has shown remarkable determination and unity. Waddell expressed his pride in the team’s journey so far and is optimistic about their chances of making a deep playoff run. The story of the Blue Jackets this season has been one of overcoming adversity, and Waddell believes that with their current roster, a successful finish to the season is within reach. The next 20 games will be crucial in determining their playoff fate, but the team’s spirit and leadership give hope for a Hollywood ending to an already inspiring season.
