Blue Jackets to get their new goalie on trade market!?

Ever since netminder Sergei Bobrovsky signed a seven-year, $70M deal with the Florida Panthers, the Columbus Blue Jackets have been looking for a veteran goalie to take the job in between the pipes.

Sure they signed young goaltender Elvis Merzļikins to jump into the mix, but we are certain the Jackets want to have a veteran goalie they can trust for the bulk of the season. 

That must be why insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is reporting that the Blue Jackets are looking at acquiring Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings. 

The two-time Stanley Cup champion has showed signs of decline and could benefit from a change of scenery. The rise of Jack Campbell and Calvin Petersen could also push Quick out of the crease, therefore he might be willing to entertain the thought of going to Columbus. 

While Quick is worth a lot of money, his contract is front-loaded. This season, just like the six seasons before this one, Quick will make $7 million in salary, per Cap Friendly. However, after 2019-20, his salary drops to $3.5 million in 2020-21. In 2021-22, it drops to $3 million. Finally, it drops to $2.5 million in 2022-23.

The Jackets have the room for it, especially after many of their free agents left the boat. 

However, for now, nothing shows that the Kings would be willing to move Quick. They could have Campbell become the main backup and eventually trade him at the deadline. Or they could choose to back themselves up for the Seattle expansion draft. 

A lot to consider in LA…