Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits

Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits

Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen should be busy this offseason at the draft, in free agency, and on the trade market. As the team readies for potential expansion, tough decisions are facing the franchise.

Limited to seven forwards, three defense, and a goaltender, Columbus needs to make moves or risk losing players such as Jack Johnson or Matt Calvert (among others).

Columbus disappointed in 2015-16 as the slowest team out of the gates, which eventually led to the firing of Todd Richards.

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The Blue Jackets played fairly well under John Tortorella, and the addition of Seth Jones helped shore up the blueline, but it left an unfortunate hole up the middle.

Heading into the draft, rumors suggest Columbus isn’t sold on consensus number three pick Jesse Puljujarvi. Who could blame them, you’ve got Cam Atkinson and Calder Cup MVP Oliver Bjorkstrand in the mix on the right side, and even LW Nick Foligno can slide to the right side if needed.

Don’t be surprised if the Blue Jackets look to move down in the draft to acquire that missing top-six center.

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Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agency Outlook/Preview

Salary Committed to 2016-17: $68,067,142
Number of Players Signed: 45

Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Rene Bourque, Justin Falk

Notable Restricted Free Agents: William Karlsson, Seth Jones, Michael Paliotta, Michael Chaput, Alex Broadhurst

Good news, only few players are still seeking contracts. Most notably Seth Jones, William Karlsson and Michael Paliotta. Bad news, if the cap stays around the same, it leaves barely enough cash to get all RFAs signed.

Potential trade candidates to make cap room include: D Jack Johnson (2yrs remaining $4.357 million dollar cap hit), LW Scott Hartnell (3yrs remaining $4.75 million dollar cap hit), and Cam Atkinson (2yrs remaining $3.5 million dollar cap hit).

Atkinson only becomes an option if Columbus decides to use the 3rd overall pick on Puljujarvi. You can even stick Matt Calvert on the list (2yrs remaining $2.2 milion dollar cap hit) due to Kerby Rychel and Sonny Milano both vying for a spot on the left side.

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Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agency Team Needs

Bottom-Six Forward Depth

Truth be told, Columbus is likely to be more active on the trade front – at least when it comes to impact moves.

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Holes may expose themselves through trade that can be filled beyond July 1, but if anything Jarmo will look to sign a few depth additions at most.

Any extra time Jared Boll can spend in the press box the better, and you never know when injuries will occur.

Even though the Blue Jackets struggled immensely last year, they’re one of the top organizations in terms of depth.

For a team that struggled so much defensively, they now have numerous players vying for NHL duties (i.e. Zach Werenski or Michael Paliotta).

Remember what happened a few years back when Syracuse won an AHL title? The Lightning were heavy beneficiaries of breakout talent, expect the same with numerous prospects from Lake Erie.

Next: Blue Jackets 3rd Overall Pick Potentially Available?

Potential Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agency Targets

Bottom-Six Forward Depth: Boyd Gordon, Shawn Matthias, Trevor Lewis, Kyle Brodziak, Kyle Chipchura, Mike Santorelli, Matt Halischuk, Danny Kristo

*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com