Blue Jackets Eye Brad Richards, Olli Jokinen, Patrick Marleau

It's no secret the Jackets have lacked a No. 1 center since existance.

With the trade deadline only eight short days away, the rumors are really starting to heat up.  The three players that have really caught my attention, as a Blue Jackets fan, are Olli Jokinen of the Florida Panthers, Brad Richards of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks.

Why these three?  All are bonified number one centers and are all under contract for at least two years or longer.  They have long been rumored to be on the trading block for various reasons.  The three players are not in the Jackets division (two play in the East).  Very rarely do you see teams trade intra-division.  The Jackets can afford them and have the young assets to make a bid.  They are also all in their prime and under the age of 29.

Lets take an in depth look at each guy:

Olli Jokinen, 29-years-old, signed two more years at $5.25 and $5.5 milliion a piece.

TSN Profile: Assets: 

• A big presence up the middle.
• Good face-off man.
• Has above average hands.
• Instincts of a natural goal scorer.
• Can play the wing in a pinch.

Flaws:

• A better scorer than playmaker.
• A little predictable over the long haul.
• Must continue to grow as a team leader.

Career potential: First line center.

Skinny:

• Similar to the CBJ.
• The Florida Panthers have missed the playoffs for six straight years.
• The go-to guy on this team and thus he hasn't gotten them anywhere.
• The Panthers are said to be looking to move in a new direction and dealing Jokinen would be a huge part of that.

What they need: Without Jokinen they will have clear need for a number one center.  It wouldn't surprise me to see Jokinen swapped for another star NHL player.  They'll either go that route or take a multiplayer swap that could fill a lot of needs.  They did, however, get burned pretty badly on that route when they dealt Luongo.

Brad Richards, 27-year-old, signed three more years at $7.8 million a piece.

TSN Profile: Assets:

• Has incredible imagination with the puck.
• Excellent playmaking ability.
• Likes to shoot the puck often and displays two-way savvy.
  

Flaws:

• Isn't big or physical.
• May wear down against bigger opposing centers.
• Will occasionally pass up a great scoring chances.
  

Career potential: First line center.

Skinny:

• Said to be on the block as Tampa has too much tied up in three players (Lecavalier, St. Louis, Richards).
• Tampa is non-playoff bound and it's time for a shakeup.
• Richards appears to be the guy they want to move, but he has a NTC (no trade clause).
  

What they need: Preferably a number one starting goaltender, but those are hard to come by.  Other than that they'll want youth, and lots of it, as their prospect cupboard is bare.  The team that can offer the most NHL ready youth will have the inside track here.

Partrick Marleau, a 28-year-old, that signed two more years at $6.3 million a piece.

TSN Profile: Assets:

• Blessed with great speed.
• Can catch defenders off guard by blazing right by them.
• Has natural goal-scoring ability.
• Good size for the center position.
• Emerging leadership issues.
  

Flaws:

• Still suffers through bouts of inconsistency from time to time.
• Needs to use his size even more to his advantage.
  

Career potential: First line center.

Skinny:

• Marleau is having his worst year since his rookie year.
• Its been rumored that he and his coach, Ron Wilson, do not see eye to eye.
• His contract also has a no movement clause that kicks in this July.
• If the Sharks want to move him the time is quickly approaching.
  

What they need: The Sharks will make the playoffs, so if they were to move Marleau they'd want roster players in return to help in their quest for the cup.  They especially need a puck moving defensemen.

From a Jackets perspective, all of these guys are attractive.  Could you imagine a Nash-Richards-Modin line?  Or what about a Nash-Jokinen-Modin?

Of course for the Jackets to be a player for any of these guys they must be willing to take on salary and to part with blue chip youngsters.

Here's what it may take:

Jokinen: Zherdev + Brule + 2nd or Zherdev + Brassard
Richards: Zherdev + Brule + Methot or Zherdev + Brule + Lindstrom + 2nd
Marleau: Foote + Fedorov or Hainsey + Fedorov and maybe a propsect or pick thrown in there

Again, both Tampa and Florida will be on the outside looking in, so they won't want rentals.  The Sharks, however, want to win the whole thing; a Foote + Fedorov package could look pretty attractive, but it would be a high price to pay if they are knocked out early.

I have Zherdev included here, but I think he's a very attractive player now that the CBJ are sold on long term.  Now may be the time to sell high, and if he could return a number one center, or defensemen, then that's where I start.  Also remember he's got one year left on his deal and with the way salaries are rising, things could get hairy come contact negotiation time.  Z's value may not be greater than it is right now.

I really don't see the Jackets giving up a first round pick for any of these guys, not when it could be a lottery pick.  Maybe once the Jackets draft position is decided and they evaluate their picks, they may move it in the off-season for a proven player.  Regardless, if these three are truly on the block I have to think GM Howson is having some pretty juicy conversations about what it would take.

Of course the Jackets could just stay out of the bidding, trade their vets at the deadline, collect more assets, and then buy pieces for this offseason. The chance you take there is if the players you target want to come to Columbus, and for how much.