Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agency: Targets on Defense
By John Gove
Tim Gleason
May 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Tim Gleason (6) is led off the ice by linesman Bryan Pancich (94) after being cut in a fight with New York Rangers left wing Tanner Glass (not pictured) in the third period in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-1, and lead the series 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
A player like Tim Gleason could be exactly what the Blue Jackets are looking for. He is an eleven-year veteran that will demand a relatively low price that could be a valuable third-pair defensemen. Columbus is in need of blue-line help but does not have a whole lot of cap-space to fool around with. Instead of investing the rest of the money they have on a more well-known name, they can pay less and sign a low-risk/high-reward player such as Gleason to a one-year deal.