Blue Jackets '100%' open to trading Kings' 1st-rounder

The Columbus Blue Jackets could find themselves picking first overall at the 2023 draft, but that won't necessarily stop them from aggressively trying to upgrade their NHL roster this offseason.

Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he's "100%" open to moving the Los Angeles Kings' 2023 first-rounder, he told TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets acquired the pick, along with a 2024 third-round selection and goaltender Jonathan Quick, from the Kings in exchange for netminder Joonas Korpisalo and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov in March. Columbus then flipped Quick to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Kings have already clinched a playoff spot, so the pick will fall in the latter half of the first round.

Kekalainen added that he's interested in using the pick to land a top-four caliber defenseman to replace Gavrikov, who logged 22:20 of ice time per game for Columbus this season before the trade.

The Blue Jackets entered Tuesday's games ranked 30th in the NHL standings, but injuries have hit them hard this campaign, particularly on the back end. Zach Werenski, the club's top D-man, notably suffered a season-ending shoulder ailment in November.

Werenski, Erik Gudbranson, Adam Boqvist, Andrew Peeke, and Jake Bean are expected to make up five spots on Columbus' blue line next year. Nick Blankenburg, David Jiricek, and others will compete for jobs, but there's certainly room for another addition. The Jackets project to have $17.9 million in cap space this offseason without any notable pending free agents.