The intrigue surround the Columbus Blue Jackets' second round pick didn't last very long.
It is being reported by Matthew Sekeres of TSN 1040 that the Blue Jackets will be giving the Vancouver Canucks their second round pick (55th) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft as compensation for hiring head coach John Tortorella while still under contract.
The #Canucks are getting Columbus' 2nd-round pick, 55th overall, as compensation for John Tortorella. Jackets have informed them.
— Matthew Sekeres (@mattsekeres) May 31, 2017
Speculation has run rampant over the pick and with the expansion draft coming up, it wasn't clear whether or not the pick would be moved this year. If the pick wasn't given up this year, the pick would automatically go to the Canucks next year.
As of this moment, no news has come out regarding the Blue Jackets' expansion exposures. Either way, this pick will no longer be involved in any current negotiations.
The 2017 NHL Entry Draft takes place June 23-24 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The NHL Expansion Draft takes place June 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The selections will be made prior to that date June 18-20.
UPDATE: The Columbus Blue Jackets' Twitter account has confirmed the initial report.
#CBJ transfer second round pick in 2017 @NHL Draft to Vancouver as compensation for hiring John Tortorella as head coach in October 2015.
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) May 31, 2017
