Gaborik could be bait for help on defense
Sources tell The Dispatch, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is trying to trade Gaborik by today’s 3 p.m. deadline for defensive help after two key injuries.
Gaborik has a limited no-trade clause, but he recently provided the Blue Jackets a list of teams to which he would approve a trade. A source said one of those teams is the Los Angeles Kings, who are in the market for a high-end forward and have had talks with the Blue Jackets regarding Gaborik.
It would help the Blue Jackets if some of the other big-name forwards on the market would get traded, starting a race among teams such as Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose, all Pacific Division rivals. Tomas Vanek of the New York Islanders, Matt Moulson of Buffalo, Mike Cammalleri of Calgary and Ryan Kesler of Vancouver also are available, according to reports.
The Blue Jackets have lost their two steadiest defensemen — veteran Fedor Tyutin (ankle) and rookie Ryan Murray (knee) — to injuries in the past 10 days, though the club insists neither will be out long-term.
The Kings have made a healthy scratch of veteran defenseman Matt Greene several times this season, including the past three games. It’s unclear if Greene, a physical player and considered a dressing-room leader, would be enough of a return for Gaborik, a three-time 40-goal scorer.
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