Where Former Columbus Blue Jackets Landed on 2018 Free Agent Day
The Columbus Blue Jackets let several, well known players head to the market on July 1st.
With the free agent frenzy over, most former Columbus Blue Jackets have found a new home. The Jackets had five expiring unrestricted contracts and all but one have found a new home. None of them signing with other teams should come as any surprise to anyone.
Wingers Matt Calvert and Thomas Vanek both saw their contracts come to an end. One after four months with the Jackets and one after eight years.
Matt Calvert was the longest tenured Blue Jacket until July 1st when he signed with the Colorado Avalanche. The perennial hustle player will take his penalty killing prowess to the mountains. Calvert has signed a three year contract that will pay him $2.8 million a year according to Elliot Friedman.
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Thomas Vanek has once again signed a one year contract, this time with the Detroit Red Wings. The power play specialist came to the Jackets at the trade deadline from Vancouver. His one year contract is worth $3 million according to Craig Custance.
All that is left to be decided is where Mark Letestu lands. There is a small chance the Jackets re-up the 33-year-old but I doubt it. He spent the final few months of the season in Columbus after being picked up at the trade deadline.
Letestu certainly has some quality NHL seasons left in the tank but just not with the Jackets. I’m hoping he makes as much money as he wants to make playing hockey and then comes back to the broadcasting booth in Columbus.
Blue Line Drama
Was there ever some drama with the defenseman whose contracts were ending this summer. And in Ian Cole‘s defense, it all revolved around Jack Johnson.
Johnson spent the last seven years in Columbus but his time in Ohio had obviously come to an end. The defenseman had lost a step or three and was being pushed out by younger, cheaper blue liners. But some parting comments from Johnson, and his new GM in Pittsburgh, set off many in the Jackets organization including John Tortorella.
There was a lot that happened with Johnson leaving and you can read all about that below.
Related Story: Penguins Comments Set Torts Off
At the end of the day Jack Johnson signed in Pittsburgh for five years at $3.25 million a season. The price isn’t what will kill the Penguins in this deal. Its the term. At the end of the contract Johnson will be 36-years-old. Just like Johnson’s and Rutherford’s comments you read in the piece above, Johnson’s contract will not age well.
The last blue liner to leave Ohio is Ian Cole. The short term Jacket became an instant fan favorite but had earned a contract too rich for the CBJ. Cole ends up in Colorado with Matt Calvert. Cole signed a three year contract worth $4.25 million a season.
Next: Remaining FA Targets for the CBJ
“All good things must come to an end.” An age old cliche that explains why some of the fan favorite players saw their time in Columbus come to an end.
“Out with the old, in with the new”. Another cliche that the Jackets hope plays out in their favor after watching these veterans walk away from the ice in central Ohio.