It did not take long for the Blue Jackets and Ryan Dzingel to expre s how they feel about each other.

Columbus along with a 2019 seventh-round draft pick in the NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Anthony Duclairand two second-round picks Orlando Cepeda Jersey on Saturday. The second-round picks are in the 2020 and 2021 NHL Entry Drafts.

Dzingel is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and the Blue Jackets are hoping the two can come to an agreement on a long-term extension.

"He is definitely one of those players that we have identified as a candidate to stay here into the future," Columbus general managerJarmo Kekalainen told reporters on Sunday."We did not just acquire him to be a rental.

Dzingel iterateda similar sentiment: Theres a very high chance of an extension if they Deion Sanders Jersey want me.

Locking up Dzingel for the future makes sense. After dealing two second-round picks, letting Dzingel walk in the offseason would be Sean Newcomb Jersey an expensive rental. Plus, the 26-year-old is about to enter his prime and has a career high in points this season with44(22 goals, 22 a sists).

Columbus also acquired Dzingel'sOttawa teammate, , on Friday. Duchene will be a restricted free agent this offseason.

With the trade deadline approaching (3 p.m. ETon Monday), there has been plenty of talk about the availability of Artemi Panarin. Panarin is also scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Blue Jackets acquired two reliable offensive contributors, which signals that they are in it to win it. Kekalainen mentioned that a deal for either Panarin or goalie Sergei Bobrovsky would have to fall in line with the team's mi sion.

"Only if there's an Austin Riley Jersey offer that really makes sense in the short term as well as in the long term would we be moving Panarin or Bobrovsky ,"Kekalainen said. "We wanted to send a me sage into our locker room and our fan base Josh Tomlin Jersey that we are serious about winning."

Me sage: received.

The Blue Jackets (73 points) currently hold a slim lead for third place in the Metropolitan Division over the Hurricanes (72 points) and Penguins (72 points).

While not dealing Panarin could backfireif he ends up walking as a free agent, the Blue Jackets are capable of making a deep playoff run. The addition of Dzingel and Duchene Fred McGriff Jersey should provide the team with a heavyamount of offensive fire power in an attempt to secure a coveted playoff spot, especially if it decides to keep Panarin.

The Blue Jackets' focus right now is winning. However, signing Dzingel to a long-term extension would givethe team some much-needed insurance, especially if Duchene does not re-sign and Panarin either gets traded or leaves as a free agent.