Two weeks away, the trade deadline looms. The deadline will play in the Steve Heinze negotiations, which will be revisited later this week. The Blue Jackets have an offer on the table. Both sides are sitting on it.
Counteroffers are forthcoming.
Heinze's preference is to remain in Columbus. However, he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he and his agent Steve Mountain might feel they can fetch more on the open market. Blue Jackets general manager Doug MacLean is budget conscious. Depending on how negotiations go this week, MacLean may be looking to move Heinze to salvage something before the trade deadline. There's also a chance MacLean will keep Heinze for the remainder of the season.