Blue Jackets have new master plan involving Panarin and Bobrovsky!

The Columbus Blue Jackets are working hard at getting the best out of the messy UFA situation.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reports the Jackets refuse to grant permission for pending free agents Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin to speak to other teams - in hope of completing a sign-and-trade to avoid losing either player for nothing on July 1.

Ever since Columbus’ season came to end last month, both pending free agents have been linked to the Florida Panthers, however, the team is reportedly not interested in giving up a second-round pick to reach a deal with either player before the market opens.

CBJ has not given permission to Panarin/Bobrovsky camp to speak directly to teams. I wondered if they might to help facilitate a sign-and-trade but so far, no. The UFA speaking period opens June 23.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 13, 2019

My sense is that Florida has no interest in paying a 2nd RD pick as part of a sign-and-trade on either UFA. Too high a price. On the flip side, CBJ isn't just going to give away the rights for a low pick either so... tick tock, we'll see where this goes as July 1 approaches.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 13, 2019

There is no doubt that Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen would prefer to keep the two coveted players in Columbus, but fans will be happy to hear he is trying to make the best out of this mess.

"I don’t count anybody out," Kekalainen said. "I told Panarin and Bobrovsky, if they’d like to return, we’d like to have them. It’s not a money issue. We’ll pay market value. We realize that’s the price of doing business. If not, we’ll move ahead accordingly."

The window for other teams to begin speaking to pending UFAs will open on June 23. The clock is ticking…