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Jackets acquire Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen

Who would have predicted this a year ago?

With the Jackets falling way under expectations and sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings, they made the decision to trade Ryan Johansen to the Predators.

In return, the Jackets get young blueliner Seth Jones.

Jones was behind Roman Josi and Shea Weber in Nashville, and now has the opportunity to be a number one with the Jackets. Perhaps pairing with Ryan Murray would allow the duo to reach greater heights together.

My first instinct is that the Jackets may have given up on Johansen too soon, but with how vicious the contract negotiations were last year, along with the issues with the coaches. you knew something was going happen. The Jackets were also likely not keen on another round of difficult negotiations when Johansen’s deal expires.

With the Jackets in last place, they have a good shot at drafting Auston Matthews in June. Building a core around Brandon Saad, Zach Werenski, Matthews and Jones doesn’t actually sound that bad, but with the team looking like they were legitimately about to contend two seasons ago, another rebuild is truly disheartening.

The Jackets will now look internally for a new number one center. Will Alexander Wennberg take another step?