COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets face a turbulent next few weeks leading up to the Feb. 25 trade deadline, with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and left winger Artemi Panarin — maybe the two best players to ever wear the uniform for the organization — generating intense interest and drama.



There are many layers here. Here are some insights on some of the finer points and behind-the-scenes machinations regarding each player:



• GM Jarmo Kekalainen is facing undoubtedly the most challenging month of his tenure with the Blue Jackets. He’s weighing not only the possible trades of Bobrovsky, the Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender, and Panarin, a point-a-game forward, but also subsequent trades should either or both of them be moved along by the deadline. This we know: Kekalainen is not going to be just a seller at the deadline. If he sells those two significant assets, he’s also going to buy. No, he won’t be able to replace Bobrovsky...