The third overall selection at the NHL Draft may be up for grabs, but that pick won't come without a steep price.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are listening to offers for the No. 3 pick, and TSN's Darren Dreger reports the team would like to attach a long-term contract to the draft choice to provide cap relief - which will be needed to sign restricted free-agent defenseman Seth Jones to an extension.
Dreger suggests forward Scott Hartnell and his contract could be the asking price. The 34-year-old - who reportedly waived his no-trade clause earlier in June - is signed through the 2018-19 season, holding a cap hit of $4.75 million per year.
Despite the hefty financial commitment, Hartnell has been productive in his last two seasons with Columbus, recording 51 goals and 58 assists in 156 games.
While Hartnell is widely expected to be moved before the start of next season, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has three other veteran forwards signed to long-term deals to choose from for a potential trade - but all three also have no-movement clauses in their contracts.
| Pos. | Player | Cap Hit | Final Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | Brandon Dubinsky | $5.85M | 2021 |
| F | Nick Foligno | $5.5M | 2021 |
| F | David Clarkson | $5.25M | 2020 |
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