Blue Jackets, Bernier, Avery, and Lecavalier

Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets may have to trade for the top-line center they desperately need.

With a weak unrestricted free agent market for centers (i.e. Martin Straka, Brendan Morrison, Daymond Langkow and Vaclav Prospal), the Blue Jackets will have deal to fill their biggest need.

The Blue Jackets could have two number one draft picks this summer. They will have their own pick, and if they make the playoffs they will get the Colorado Avalanche’s pick as part of the deal for Adam Foote.

Portzline suggests San Jose Sharks struggling center Patrick Marleau as a possible acquisition.

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Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that the Sharks offered forward Steve Bernier to the New York Rangers in exchange for pending unrestricted free agent forward Sean Avery before last month’s trade deadline.

Rangers GM Glen Sather passed on the deal, however.

Before sending Bernier to the Buffalo Sabres for pending UFA defenseman Brian Campbell, word is that the Pittsburgh Penguins were also interested in acquiring the 22-year-old.

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Brooks also reports that Sather sees Avery’s value as $2.75 million per season, and may not want to spend more than that to re-sign him.

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Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster claims the club’s new ownership group will try to sign All-Star forward Vincent Lecavalier to a multi-year contract, reports Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times.