In a not-too-surprising move, the Blue Jackets announced today that they’ve re-signed winger Derek Dorsett to a three year contract:
Dorsett registered 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points and had 235 penalty minutes in 77 games with the Blue Jackets in 2011-12. He led the NHL in penalty minutes and is one of only three players since the start of the 1996-97 season to lead the league in that category and post double digit goals. He set career highs in goals, points, penalty minutes, games played, shots (137) and time on ice average (14:41), while leading the club in hits (199) and ranking fourth in takeaways (36).I don’t think there were too many people who didn’t see this move coming, and Dorsett really took a big step forward this past season both on the ice and in the leadership arena. At times during the season he had an “A” on his sweater, and his commitment to never taking a shift off rubs off on his teammates. Dorse is always willing to engage in a fight with ANYONE from the other team, and he skates like his hair is on fire at all times.
His goals and assists were career highs, and that will be the big question going forward: can Dorsett continue to contribute offensively, or was this past season the product of a contract year push? Time will tell, but unless something has drastically changed, it’s hard to imagine Dorsett not playing 110% at all times going forward. Hopefully the goals will continue to come.