Elliotte Friedman identifies the NHL's new top trade deadline target and you won't believe who it is
Photo credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Elliotte Friedman just confirmed that a former 2010 first-round pick is the absolute hottest trade target in the NHL right now, and who it is might shock you.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are reportedly holding the golden ticket at this year's deadline, following the Rangers moving Artemi Panarin to Los Angeles before the Olympic break.
The funny thing is that the Blue Jackets are reportedly refusing to pull the trigger on a deal.
Charlie Coyle has been around the block, but I don't know that he's ever been on the top of any trade boards. Until now.
Friedman revealed on Oilers Now this week that Coyle appears to be everyone's number one target.
Nobody saw this bizarre scenario coming at the start of the year. A heavy 33-year-old center is driving rival general managers crazy, and fans won't believe the madness surrounding him.
The 6-foot-3 pivot is putting on an absolute clinic in Columbus this season. He already banked 42 points through his first 56 games, and he isn't slowing down anytime soon.
And contenders are truly desperate to add his skillset. They want his brutal physical play, his experience, and his dangerous right-handed shot for a deep, grinding playoff run.
Columbus could easily get an absolute haul for him today.
Rival general managers are standing by, completely ready to empty their prospect pools to make a blockbuster deal happen.
Columbus Rejects Desperate Trade Offers
His current cap hit sits at a solid $5.25 million. Desperate buyers simply don't care about the money because they know he fixes massive holes in their lineup.
They'll find a creative way to work around the cap constraints. Teams are literally begging to get fleeced just to secure a reliable, heavy center before the buzzer sounds.
Coyle is burying his chances and crushing his opponents every single night. He already owns 15 goals and consistently wins the dirty battles along the heavy boards.
This is the exact, perfect moment you sell high on a veteran asset. Yet Columbus is holding firm, stubbornly refusing to cash in on a completely absurd market.
The front office desperately wants to keep him around the young prospects. They absolutely love what he brings to the locker room culture and his daily work ethic.
But this management strategy is a massive disaster in the making. A rebuilding roster hoarding an aging center when his value is at an all-time peak makes zero sense.
This is pure malpractice. You don't fix a broken franchise by keeping veterans when half the league is offering premium draft picks.
Will the Blue Jackets finally wake up and accept a massive overpay, or will they completely choke when the final trade deadline hits?
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