The Columbus Blue Jackets made a peculiar roster move today, signing veteran defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron to a two-way deal for the rest of the season. The team immediately placed him on waivers, then, with the intention of sending him to play for the Cleveland Monsters.
Bergeron was signed to a tryout contract with the Blue Jackets over the summer of 2016, but was released before the start of the season. Bergeron has played in 490 NHL games, registering 82 goals and 153 assists over the course of his career.
It is an interesting that the Blue Jackets signed yet another defenseman (making Bergeron the 8th, with Dalton Prout and Scott Harrington still on the roster). Signing Bergeron means he has to clear waivers, and therefore is a risk to be picked up by another team. Is there something else coming down the line?
Stay tuned.
UPDATE, BECAUSE I’M A MORON:
Thanks to Elaine for pointing this out. Bergeron has been playing in Cleveland this season already. He’s registered 3-6-9 in 13 appearances for this Monsters this season. It is still a peculiar move, because this could have been done another time. Or, perhaps, it signals that they want to get Bergeron an opportunity to play with the big club because another defenseman is being moved.
At any rate, it’s interesting given the timing and other rumors circulating (#Defenseman4Duchene). We’ll see what happens.