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Plenty of bags packed in Columbus, too

Rick Nash, Jeff Carter, Roman Hamrlik

FILE - This Sept. 21, 2011 file photo shows Columbus Blue Jackets’ Jeff Carter (7), Blue Jackets’ Rick Nash (61) and Washington Capitals’ Roman Hamrlik (44) chasing after a loose puck during an overtime period of an NHL preseason hockey game in Columbus, Ohio. A year after doing almost nothing to strengthen his team, Columbus Blue Jackets general manager went out this offseason and picked up a star center in Jeff Carter and a point man on the power play, filling two gaping holes which have plagued the franchise throughout its first 11 years. No wonder so many expect big things in the fast-approaching season. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam, File)

AP

If you’re wondering what life’s like for the Blue Jackets just a few days before Monday’s trade deadline and rumors swirling around them (gusting even), Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch paints the picture:

One player today said that he has a small duffel bag packed and ready to go -- enough to get through a day or two -- in case he’s traded and needs to catch a flight on a moment’s notice. He said he’s not alone. “I’m sure a lot of players are ready like that.”

No truth to the rumor Jeff Carter never unpacked in the first place. (Though we’d be surprised if he bought a house, got a dog, or dated a girl without saying, “I like you a lot, but I’m not looking for anything serious.”)

More Portzline:

And, down the hall from the dressing room, the “press conference” room is being rearranged to handle a large crowd, such as one a big trade might draw.

Or maybe they’re just expecting a big media presence at Monday’s home game against the Ducks. What, is that too hard to believe?

OK, fine, they’re setting up to announce a big trade.

Related: Quincey: Plenty of bags packed in Colorado