Columbus Blue Jackets Made Right Call with William Karlsson
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost William Karlsson last year in the expansion draft. It was the right move then, and still is now.
An historic matchup on Tuesday between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights will stir plenty of emotions for Jackets fans. Across the ice wearing black and gold will be William Karlsson who is shocking the hockey world with 25 goals this season.
The former Jacket was sent to the expansion franchise along with a 1st round pick in 2017, a 2nd in 2019, and David Clarkson‘s contract to ensure that Josh Anderson and Joonas Korpisalo were not picked. The move was, and still is, the right decision for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Karlsson’s performance has been unreal to say the least. When the Jackets can’t score to save their lives, many fans are yearning for a guy like Karlsson. But there are three big reason’s why it was the right move then, and still is.
Anderson and Korpisalo’s Future
When the Jackets exposed William Karlsson with this deal they guaranteed two young studs stayed in Columbus. Anderson’s power forward game is invaluable and even though Karlsson is having a great year, I’m putting my money on Anderson having a better pro career long term.
Korpisalo though was the bigger keep for the CBJ. Korpi is the best young backup in the NHL right now. He is only 23-years-old and gives the Jackets a ton of options moving forward in net. Consider this, Bobrovsky will be 31 when he is due for a new contract to start the 2020 season. He is making $7.425 million and will be due a raise at that point.
The team may be in a spot where they let Bob go instead of signing him to a $10 million a year deal that goes until Bob is 39. Having a skilled guy like Korpi that is just an opportunity in net away from being a bona fide NHL starter is priceless.
Plus both players were, and still are, in better contract situations than Karlsson’s. Anderson got a deal done, although a little later than most would like, to lock him up for three more years and Korpi is on the team for two more years at just $900,000. Karlsson’s contract is up at the end of the year and he has earned a big pay day.
Karlsson’s Impending Regression
William Karlsson can not keep up this pace. No one can. He is shooting an insane 25% so far this season. History tells us Karlsson is closer to an 8% shooter for his career.
No one has ever shot 25% over a full season and I don’t expect Karlsson to be the first. He will cool off and regress to the mean. That regression will allow guys like Anderson, who is off to a so-so start to the season shooting wise, to catch up in statistical categories. At the end of the season, Anderson will be close to Karlsson in most outputs.
Clarkson’s Contract
Getting rid of Clarkson’s contract was also a huge plus for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Although he was on LTIR, ensuring that there were no dollars hitting the cap is a big financial win for the Jackets. A team that needs to pay Zach Werenski and look into holding onto Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, the financial breathing room was necessary.
The Jackets did give up some picks but the farm system was loaded. The CBJ are the youngest team in hockey and don’t need to be stocking up on picks.
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It may seem like the Karlsson move was the wrong move right now, but if you take a step back and look, it really was a great play. The move will continue to look better over time as well when the value of Korpi and Anderson continue to show for years to come in Columbus.