Blue Jackets' Waddell open to moving fourth overall pick in right deal

Don Waddell has been busy since taking over as the president and general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and it looks like he's just getting started.

Holding his first press conference with reporters in Columbus, Waddell touched on a number of subjects including the team's head coaching search, the future of Patrik Laine and his thoughts on the upcoming NHL draft.

The Blue Jackets own the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and it looks like Waddell is open for business in Vegas if the right deal comes along.

“There's teams around us talking about trying to move back a little bit if your're going to get a nice asset with it,” Waddell said. “We’re open [to moving the pick]. If we keep the pick, we’ll get a great player, and if we trade the pick, it’s going to have to be a great deal for us.”

This is the third time in the last four years that Columbus will be picking in the top five. Since 2021, Columbus has been solely picking in the top 10 in the draft.

That's not the only deal that will be on Waddell's to-do list as he will need to figure out Laine's future.

"We want to make a hockey trade if we can," Waddell said. "We’ll certainly exhaust every opportunity. Everyone is playing nice in the sandbox."

When it comes to figuring out the route they want to take with their next head coach, Waddell said that he has a list of 12 people that he will try to shorten ahead of the interview process. He also expressed that there is no rush considering they are the only team looking to fill a vacancy at that position.

Waddell did note one particular aspect that he is looking for in his next coach.

"We need somebody that's been in this chair before that has coached in the NHL and we have some good choices there."