RUMOR: Johnny Gaudreau Trade Incoming? Hometown Team Emerges As The Top Team To Get Him

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Tyler Ball
December 27, 2023 (6:20 PM)

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Photo credit: Joseph Scheller - The Columbus Dispatch

Today a new rumor has begun surrounding the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets. This rumor claims that Johnny Gaudreau's time in Columbus could be nearing an end.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled to find an identity that translates to winning hockey. Free agent prize signing from a couple of seasons ago Johnny Gaudreau has struggled to reach his full potential in Columbus. This has led major rumors to start regarding a trade involving Gaudreau.

Rumours have emerged out of Columbus that the Blue Jackets and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen are reportedly open to the idea of discussing all his players for trade purposes with the exception of his young prospects

Kekalainen is rumored to be fighting to keep his job with his upcoming moves. Getting Gaudreau off the books and starting fresh with a re-tool could give the Blue Jackets ownership group a reason to keep Kekalainen around.

During his free agency tour, Johnny Gaudreau mentioned he wanted to return closer to home. This factored into his signing and could factor into a trade.

Two teams that were linked to Gaudreau during this time were the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers. A new rumor from Jonathan Bailey of Philly Hockey Now has indicated the Flyers could be a favorite to land Gaudreau. Bailey refers back to quotes from Gaudreau during his free agency tour.

«I have a ton of family here, all my friends,» the 30-year-old previously said. «I actually have a wedding this weekend in South Jersey, and all my friends come back here. All my good friends and kids who I have played with all my life are from South Jersey, so it would be sweet to play here someday.»

«You never know in sports. It's a lot of support back here in South Jersey and the Philly area, they follow me pretty well.»

If Gaudreau is truly made available and the Flyers believe they are close to competing adding him could be a fantastic idea. The Flyers have a strong prospect pool and could use the depth of their pool to add a top-end forward to the team.

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POLL
27 DECEMBRE \| 89 ANSWERS RUMOR: Johnny Gaudreau Trade Incoming? Hometown Team Emerges As The Top Team To Get Him Will Johnny Gaudreau finish out his contract in Columbus?
Yes	22	24.7 %
No	67	75.3 %
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