Another defenseman is healthy scratch for trade reasons due to imminent move

As you know with a couple weeks left ahead of the trade deadline, Jakob Chychrun keeps being held out of the Arizona Coyotes’ lineup “until something happens,” no trade appears imminent for the defenseman.

And he’s not the only one anymore. According to Chris Johnston, Columbus Blue Jackets’ defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov is now also an healthy scratch for the upcoming games due to trade reasons.

However, Johnston reminded fans of the high asking price the Blue Jackets are seeking in a trade for Gavrikov. During last night’s Insider Trading on TSN, Johnston explained how the Blue Jackets are looking for a three-asset return for Gavrikov, including a first-round pick.

“I think there’s still some ‘sticker shock’ on the price because the Blue Jackets are sticking, at least to this point, to a three-draft pick kind of return: a first, a third and a fourth at least one team was told this week and I think what makes that even tougher is the fact that this player is a pending unrestricted free agent,” Johnston said on Insider Trading. “It doesn’t sound like he’s inclined to talk to whatever team ends up acquiring him about an extension at this point in time and so you’d be spending those three assets for a rental player who probably wants to become a free agent this summer.”

Gavrikov could be re-signed to a contract extension in Columbus, he who holds a $2.8 million cap hit in the final season of his deal.

While the Edmonton Oilers remain highly interested in adding on the back end with their focus on San Jose Sharks’ Erik Karlsson, Gavrikov could be a more affordable option. Johnston's colleague Pierre LeBrun revealed who the Oilers and Blue Jackets have held conversations about a potential trade.

“There’s no question the Oilers will continue to keep tabs on San Jose with Karlsson, regardless of whether it’s a complicated deal to see through March 3, but in the meantime they want to try to make sure they get someone - Vladislav Gavrikov,” LeBrun added. “… The Oilers are dollar-in, dollar-out with no cap room.

“If they can move [Jesse] Puljujarvi and his $3 million average annual value contract, Gavrikov at that AAV makes sense, there’s no question Edmonton has talked to Columbus a number of times about him.”

Gavrikov has put up three goals and seven assists in 52 games this season, his fourth with the Blue Jackets.

Will his next point be tallied in an Oilers’ uniform?

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