Blue Jackets Aggressive in Free Agency
2024-01-02Irrelevant Blue Jackets general manager Andrew Payeur shocked the hockey world last week, signing Restricted Free Agent forward Jack Hughes to a massive four year extension at a salary cap hit of $10.5 million. The contract would have carried massive compensation to the Flyers in the form of three 1st round draft picks as well as a 2nd in 2024.The Flyers quickly matched the offer sheet but it wasn't without consequence as just days later the team was forced to unloaded Alex Ovechkin and Mats Zuccarello in trades to shed salary. Many are talking in league circles that the fact Hughes was willing to sign with the Blue Jackets hints at discontent within the Flyers locker room and that Gerard Gallant's abbrasive style may be rubbing players the wrong way. A source in the Columbus locker room seemd to confirm that when asked, saying "There is no rubbing players the wrong way with the BJs. Coach Woodcroft is an incredible oral communicator, really player friendly". Most experts agree that the reason Hughes was willing to sign, is because Blue Jackets are simply the more fun organization and an appealing destination for players. One unnamed source went so far as to say "Prospects are cool, Parades are cooler and mediocrity is perfectly acceptable".
Payeur continued his aggressive pursuit to improve the team, signing top UFA defenceman Mattias Ekholm along with Jake McCabe to contracts to fill out the team's top 4, following the departures of Jake Muzzin at last year's trade deadline and Ryan Suter during the offseason. Ekholm a former cup champion with the Flyers in 2021 joins the Jackets after a brief stint as a deadline rental with the Devils. Likewise, McCabe was a deadline rental of the Avalanche last year. Both signed in Columbus for 3 seasons with the hopes of settling down in one place after moving around the league in recent years.
The Jackets made a final signing at the opening of free agency by signing UFA goaltender Anton Forsberg. Forsberg is expected to be the teams stop gap starting goalie for the time being with the absence of Robin Lehner looming over the team. When asked about the player's status Payeur offered no update, simply stating that the last he heard Robin was in Bolivia trying to outrun his debtors. When pressed on the issue he addded "He isn't running very quickly, he had hip surgery also. We have no timeline for his return".
Expect the team to make only minor moves going forward and they look to fill out its AHL roster and maybe add a 7th veteran defenceman.
Oral communication is key
Blue Jackets Aggressive in Free Agency
After missing out on Hughes, Blue Jackets land a new top pair on D
mister payeur u are not an irrelevant gm:)
Blue Jackets Aggressive in Free Agency
After missing out on Hughes, Blue Jackets land a new top pair on D