Just two days after the 2023 NHL Draft came to a close, it’s time for NHL GMs to get back on the bus for Free Agency, starting at noon tomorrow. With the Jackets having already added defensemen Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson in trades, bona-fide prospect center Adam Fantilli in the draft, and Alexandre Texier returning from Europe, it’s unlikely Jarmo will make any major moves Saturday. Still, it’s worth looking at who’s available.
Blue Jackets hitting Free Agency
There’s only a few CBJ players in need of a contract for next year, and even fewer relevant players. Defensemen Tim Berni and Marcus Bjork are RFAs, and while both saw considerable time in the NHL last season, they’re now 9th or 10th on the depth chart. They’ll still likely be resigned just due to being RFAs. Deadline goalie acquisitions Jon Gillies and Michael Hutchinson are both UFAs; one may potentially return to be the third or fourth option behind Merzlikins, Tarasov, and Jet Greaves. Lane Pederson and Gavin Bayreuther are in similar boats to Berni and Bjork, but the can walk as UFAs. And finally, Justin Richards and Joona Luoto are both UFAs and are both way better at hockey than anyone reading this. That’s all; eight players, of which three (Berni, Bjork, and one of the goalies) are likely to return.
Around the League
Up front, the 2023 class is headlined by Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ryan O’Rielly. All are likely more interested in Cup chasing than joining the lowly Jackets (though that’s what we said about Gaudreau last year…). John Klingberg, Matt Dumba, Dmitry Orlov, and Shane Gostibehere are the best defensemen up for grabs, but Columbus has already added Gudbranson, Provorov, and Severson to a star-studded prospect pool featuring David Jiricek, Denton Mateychuck, and Corson Ceulemans. Semyon Varlamov, Frederick Andersen, and Tristan Jarry lead the group of netminders this year, but with Elvis Merzlikins locked up to $5.4 million per year until 2027, those additions seem unlikely.
So, who could reasonably find signing in Columbus tomorrow? They have ~$4.7 million to play with; let’s see who could come to town.
JT Compher
JT Compher is probably the highest-range UFA Columbus could reasonably snag in free agency. The 28-year-old-center scored 17 goals and 52 points last season with the Colorado Avalanche. He’d be an upgrade over the Jenner/Roslovic/Sillinger mess we rolled with last year, and if signed to a one- or -two-year deal, could be flipped at the deadline to finish off the rebuild and make room for Fantilli/Johnson/Sillinger. Yes Sillinger is in both categories. No, I do not know what to think about him.
Max Domi
Hey, I know this guy! Max Domi came to Columbus in 2020, as the main piece of the Josh Anderson deal. He was shipped out at the 2022 deadline for Aiden Hreschuk. While he’d likely play in a middle-six role, and isn’t a surefire upgrade to the roster, there’s no way Domi could not immediately become Mike Babcock’s favorite player on the roster.
Alex Nedjelkovic
Alex Nedjelkovic had a fantastic rookie year in Carolina in 2020-21 and was a Calder Trophy finalist, before they let him walk to Detroit. With the Red Wings, Nedjelkovic regressed, posting a .901 save percentage in 2021-22 and a .895 last year. I could see Jarmo being inclined to get Ned at a discount, just to have another rebound candidate in case Elvis and Tarasov don’t. Better to have three chances than two, right?
Zach Aston-Reese
He’s a fourth-line center who’s into graphic design and has a hyphen in his name. What’s not to love?
You might notice that I’m quickly running out of good fits here. That’s because this is a relatively weak free agent class, and the Jackets aren’t really in a position to sign people. But who knows, maybe we land Ryan O’Rielly or something. Crazier things have happened.
Who do you see the Blue Jackets signing tomorrow? Will they sign anyone? The full list of UFAs can be found here.