This is the hardest part of the hockey season, where all of off-season moves have been taken care of, but there’s still more than a month before training camp opens. Here’s your post to hang out together during the doldrums, though we still have some outstanding business that may or may not get resolved in August:
Patrik Laine
First, the good news: Laine was finally cleared from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, which he entered in late January. Most importantly, it’s wonderful that he has made progress in terms of his mental health. Beyond that, now he and the Blue Jackets can start working on a path forward. Does he still want a change of scenery? If so, there are teams interested, but they weren’t going to trade without talking to him first.
The bad news: it took so long to clear Laine that not as many teams have cap space remaining to take on his full contract. How much will the Blue Jackets be willing to retain? If we have to take a roster player back as well, will it be a productive player or another albatross contract?
What if no suitable deal can be made? Are both sides willing to start the season with Laine on the roster?
RFAs
Two of the big outstanding restricted free agents were taken care of in July. First, Kent Johnson signed a three-year deal with an annual cap hit of $1.8M. I’m a bit surprised he agreed to that long of a deal after a disappointing season. That deal could become a huge steal if he returns to his rookie form (or improves on it). Next, Kirill Marchenko also signed a three-year deal, just days before his scheduled arbitration hearing. His cap hit is $3.85M, which trails only Johnny Gaudreau, Laine, and Sean Monahan among CBJ forwards, and is just $10k above Boone Jenner. That one can also be a steal. I’d happily pay that for a reliable 20 goal guy, but if he can improve to a 30+ goal winger? Watch out!
The last outstanding RFA is Cole Sillinger. I’m surprised he hasn’t been signed, but I’m not worried…yet. With Johnson and Marchenko signing three-year deals, I would love to see Sillinger do the same. Alternately, he could match his buddy Yegor Chinakhov and sign a two-year deal. That would also put them back into RFA the same summer as Adam Fantilli (2026).
Coaches
We’re still waiting on formal word about new head coach Dean Evason’s staff. The longer we go without news, the more likely that Jared Boll, Mark Recchi, and…gulp…Steve McCarthy remain on the staff in 2024-25. There is still room for Evason to bring in an additional coach or two, meaning at least one of those three could be shifted into a new role within the staff.
Prospect Tournament
After years of domination, I’m sad to see the Blue Jackets end their long-standing presence at the prospects tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. Instead, this year they will be joining the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo from September 13-16. They will face the host Sabres, the Boston Bruins, and Ottawa Senators.
The Traverse City event helped popularize prospect tournaments, but as these events have grown, teams have found it easier to host them in bigger cities at NHL facilities. I’m sad that I didn’t get a chance to get up to Traverse City to see the Jackets.
That being said, I hope this year’s team can continue their success. The team could be led by Cayden Lindstrom, Jordan Dumais, and Denton Mateychuk.
Speaking of prospects, the votes are being tallied and our Top 25 Under 25 countdown will start later this week. Stay tuned!
Stadium Series
Ticket presales for the Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium began last week for full season ticket holders. Partial season ticket holders get their chance starting today. As we get closer to the event, I’ll make a post where members of the community can communicate about buying/selling/trading tickets. I will also be planning some sort of gathering that weekend, either the night before or as a tailgate before the game.