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Columbus Blue Jackets Extend Offers to Four Restricted Free Agents

By Tony Mazziotti

Apr 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg (10) skates with the puck ahead of Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Alexander Wennberg (10) skates with the puck ahead of Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Columbus Blue Jackets began their post-draft summer yesterday by extending offers to multiple restricted free agents. This marks the beginning of a busy summer for an organization that is always looking to get better.

Qualifying offers were extended to four out of a possible six Columbus Blue Jackets restricted free agents. Alexander Wennberg, Josh Anderson, Jordan Schroeder and Daniel Zaar were the four who received offers.

Wennberg was obviously going to receive an offer after the way he developed this past season. Anderson was also a no-brainer, especially since the Columbus Blue Jackets likely gave up a first round pick for him. Expect the Blue Jackets to lock up the two for a few years very soon.

Schroeder’s offer also makes sense because the Jackets just traded for him. Earlier today, it was announced that the two sides agreed to a two-year contract. Recently acquired for prospect Dante Salituro, Schroeder will be a depth forward with a chance to make the NHL roster.

Though he was also extended an offer, forward Daniel Zaar signed with the Malmo Redhawks of the SHL in May. He is likely done in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization as a result of the signing.

Parting Ways with Two Players

Those not receiving qualifying offers include Oleg Yevenko and Oscar Dansk, making them unrestricted free agents.

There simply wasn’t much room for Dansk in Columbus. With two-time Vezina winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and Joonas Korpisalo, minutes will be hard to come by for anyone else.

That’s not to mention goalie prospect Matiss Kivlenieks who was recently signed. Kivlenieks was a coveted prospect who rose up the goalie charts this past season after dominating in the USHL.

Related Story: Blue Jackets add top Goalie Prospect Matiss Kivlenieks

Yevenko, a 26-year old defenseman, wouldn’t have seen a promising opportunity either due to the rapid growth of the Blue Jackets defensive core in the past year.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a lot of moves thus far that aren’t very surprising. Progressing further into the summer, look for the Jackets to be rumored with big name trade candidates and free agents.

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