Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Alexander Wennberg
By William Espy
The Columbus Blue Jackets completed a contract extension with projected first line center Alexander Wennberg. This contract will have a significant effect on the Blue Jackets present and future due to the long term and low cap hit.
Completing the signing of Alexander Wennberg is a monumental success for Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. The contract, which is valued at $29.4M over the course of six years according to Aaron Portzline of the Athletic ($4.9M AAV); is a great value deal for the team.
Wennberg’s 59 points last season were a large part of the 22 year old’s breakout season. It is likely that those numbers will continue to rise with the acquisition of expected line-mate Artemi Panarin.
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Term is the most important asset of this contract, followed closely by the unexpectedly low cap hit. Wennberg is expected to be the Columbus Blue Jackets top center for at least the next couple of years until Pierre-Luc Dubois is able to take that role. However, even then Wennberg’s cap hit would be considered low for a second liner.
The contract will last until Wennberg is 28, which gives the Blue Jackets ample time to build a solid core for the length of the contract.
The biggest roadblock remaining for the Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Jarmo Kekalainen will be re-signing RW Josh Anderson; which is a minor issue. Regardless of the Anderson signing, Kekalainen’s attention will likely move toward inking an extension for Cam Atkinson once the season begins in order to avoid any distractions heading toward the end of the season.
Next: Previewing Artemi Panarin's 2017-2018 Year
The next six years certainly look bright for the Blue Jackets and Alexander Wennberg certainly has become a large piece of the puzzle. Within just a couple years, this contract will definitely look like a bargain.