Columbus Blue Jackets Gagner and Quincey’s Likely Gone

The Columbus Blue Jackets Sam Gagner and Kyle Quincey are both entering the free agent market. Following one year contracts, these two veterans will likely be leaving Columbus.

The offseason is upon us and there are several Columbus Blue Jackets with expiring contracts. Two of those, Sam Gagner and Kyle Quincey were both recently reported as testing the free agent market by the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline.

As stated, nothing is definitive, but it makes sense that these two veterans have put on the Union Blue for the last time. The two will find nice landing spots, with at least one of them making a lot more money next year.

Sam Gagner

Gagner came to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a last gasp for breath in his career. The once high draft pick had failed to meet lofty expectations in his many stops. The 6th overall pick in the 2007 draft was signed to a one year, $650,000 contract after an abysmal year in Philadelphia.

He certainly found a home in Columbus and put up 50 points this season. He was a vital cog in the power play that seemed unstoppable in the first half of the year. Although his production slowed in the second half and was less than exceptional in the playoffs, Gagner’s year was more than what anyone expected. And more than what the CBJ paid for.

Columbus Blue Jackets

With plenty of young promising scorers in the system and a big contract to give Alexander Wennberg, Gagner leaving is inevitable. The 27-year-old will find a new home and get rewarded for his solid comeback. A reward that the Jackets just can’t afford.

Kyle Quincey

The 31-year-old defenseman ended up on the Blue Jackets after a trade deadline move. Sending Dalton Prout to New Jersey in exchange for the playoff tested Quincey paid off. He played well in the playoffs and his 54 previous playoff games must have helped in the dressing room.

Torts didn’t use Quincey in the first three games of the Pittsburgh series due to his lack of speed. He did enter in games four and five and play well. He had an assist in game four.

You have to wonder what could have been if Quincey played in the first games instead of either Harrington or Carlsson. Both inexperienced players made vital mistakes that cost the Jackets goals in the opening games of the series with Pittsburgh.

With the Jackets depth at defense, there is no space for Quincey to come back to the squad. Even if the Vegas Golden Knights take Jack Johnson or Ryan Murray.

The CBJ will still have Jones, Werenski, Savard, Nutivaara, and one of the two listed before. Gabriel Carlsson and Scott Harrington will also be in Columbus next season along with the possibility of Vladislav Gavrikov as stated by Jarmo in his exit interview on Monday.

Related Story: CBJ Aquire Kyle Quincey at Trade Deadline

Quincey did everything he was asked to do for the Jackets. He was a steady hand, and was a great way to get Dalton Prout’s $1.5 million off the books for next year. Great trade for the Jackets and best of luck to him in the future.

With the depth of the organization and upcoming contracts that have to get done, these two will not be on the squad next year. Thank you for your service and best of luck to these good hockey men. Hope everything works out for you two.