NHL Trade Scenarios: Players the Columbus Blue Jackets Could Get for Jeff Carter

On New Year's Eve, Columbus Blue Jackes fans witnessed more disappointment as the team blew yet another lead, this time to the Washington Capitals.

After the Jackets' most aggressive offseason in franchise history, it was believed that the team was finally turning the corner and was ready to become a Western Conference contender.

The Blue Jackets finally had an elite center in Jeff Carter and a power play quarterback in James Wisniewski.

However, Columbus currently sits as the NHL's worst team, and after cancelling two straight days of practice, it is clear that some sort of change is coming.

In seasons past when the Jackets struggled, changes were made as expected, but certain players were clearly not for sale, especially captain Rick Nash.

It was assumed this season that Carter and Wisniewski would receive the same protection.

However, according to Hockey Break, no one is safe, including both Carter and Nash.

A trade of either player is a clear sign that the Blue Jackets are tearing down their current system and starting fresh.

There are a lot of holes on the team's roster that need help, and here are a few players the Jackets could get if a trade for Carter were to happen.

Tuukka Rask

There is no denying that the Jackets' biggest issue is their goaltending.

After two seasons of struggling with consistency, it was assumed that the team would finally part ways with former Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason.

However, Columbus' front office instead upgraded the players in front of him in hopes that the youngster would return to the form that helped clinch the franchise's first playoff berth.

Mason got off to yet another unimpressive start and, unfortunately, the third time was not the charm.

The Blue Jackets have no choice but to fix their issues in net, and one possible solution is Boston's Tuukka Rask.

Rask is currently set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and it is unknown whether or not he will re-sign with the team, especially since Tim Thomas has shown no signs of aging.

If able to pry Rask from Boston, the Bruins will most likely want a top-15 player in return, which for the Jackets is either Jeff Carter or Rick Nash.

If the Jackets have any plans of turning things around, they will need an upgrade in net, and Carter may be the bargaining chip.

Cory Schneider

Another young goaltender set to become a free agent at the end of the season is Vancouver's Cory Schneider.

When fellow goalie Roberto Luongo struggled, Schneider has proven that he can step up and be a team's No. 1 goaltender.

In 13 starts, the 25-year-old has gone 8-5-0, with a 2.13 goals-against average and a save percentage of .931.

When looking at Schneider's numbers compared to Steve Mason's, he would be an incredible upgrade.

Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets, if Schneider is indeed available, they will not be the only team interested in his services.

There are several other teams in the league that would love the chance to have a talented goalie like Schneider in net, meaning the Canucks will receive plenty of offers and will look to the highest bidder.

If able to push themselves in front the of the pack, the Jackets will have to offer some big-time players, which could include Jeff Carter.

However, a move like this could be a risk for the Jacket,s as Schneider has split time with Luongo and never had the opportunity of handing the bulk of a team's starts.

If the Canucks would rather stick with Schneider for the future, Luongo could also be available, but the Jackets will most likely not be willing to take on his large contract.

John-Michael Liles

Last season, the Columbus Blue Jackets were part of a heated playoff push and were looking to find the missing puzzle piece before the trade deadline to help clinch their second playoff berth in franchise history.

Out of all the rumors that arose, one player who was consistently linked to the Blue Jackets was Colorado Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles.

Liles was having one of the best seasons since 2005-2006 and even stated that he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to Columbus.

However, the Avalanche's asking price for Liles was too high and the Jackets passed, instead trading for the Coyotes' Sami Lepisto.

During the Entry Draft, Liles was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs and has one year left on his contract.

In 34 games with the Leafs, Liles has compiled four goals and 17 assists and was on pace to have a career-high point total.

However, Liles was recently placed on IR with concussion-like symptoms and it is unknown how long he will be out of the Leafs' lineup.

If the 31-year-old is able to return before the trade deadline, the Blue Jackets could still have interest in him, especially if power play quarterback James Wisniewski is still recovering from a broken ankle suffered last week.

The Leafs have been linked to Jeff Carter for years, and would surely inquire about him if the Jackets expressed interest in Liles.

If able to acquire Carter, the Leafs would have to relinquish $4 million in cap space and Liles' $4.5 million would do the trick.

Kyle Quincy

When it was first reported by RDS that Jeff Carter had requested a trade out of Columbus, one team that was brought up as having a possible interest was the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche currently have the second lowest salary in the NHL and could afford to take on Carter's large contract.

Colorado currently has a youth movement with only three players over the age of 30, and adding a center like Carter would add to the already talented core of Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene and team points leader Ryan O'Reilly.

In return for Carter, the Avalanche could possibly offer up a defenseman, maybe 26-year-old Kyle Quincy.

Quincy currently leads all Avalanche defensemen in points, but has been a healthy scratch in five of the team's last eight games.

The Ontario native is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season and could help the Jackets' blue line if Columbus acquired him.

Another possible defenseman that the Avalanche could offer for Carter is the talented Erik Johnson.

Johnson was traded to Colorado from the St. Louis Blues before the trade deadline last season and will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

Johnson has struggled this season with only 14 points in 36 games and a plus/minus rating of -12.

A change of scenery could do the trick for Johnson if they are willing to part ways to bring Carter to Denver.

Kyle Okposo

At the beginning of the season, the New York Islanders got off to a hot start, winning three of their first four games.

However, shortly after, the Islanders would only win two of their next 16 games, and currently sit tied for last in the Eastern Conference.

During their skid, rumors emerged that a change to the roster was imminent and one name on the list was 23-year-old Kyle Okposo.

The 2006 first-round pick signed a 5-year $14 million contract extension back in May, and to see his name as a possible trade option was a surprise.

Okposo was only able to play 38 games last season due to injuries and has struggled so far this season with only 15 points in 33 games and a plus/minus of -14.

Still, Okposo is part of an Islanders' youth movement that is trying to reignite the team and its fanbase and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

When it was first reported that Okposo could be available if the team's struggles continued, one team that showed a lot of interest was in fact the Blue Jackets.

If the Jackets decide to trade away both Jeff Carter and Rick Nash to tear down and start fresh, Okposo could be a leader for Columbus' own youth movement.