The Three Best Free Agent Signings by Jarmo Kekalainen

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 3: General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen of the Columbus Blue Jackets watches as his team warms up prior to the start of the game against the Colorado Avalanche on March 3, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 3: General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen of the Columbus Blue Jackets watches as his team warms up prior to the start of the game against the Colorado Avalanche on March 3, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
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COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 3: General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen of the Columbus Blue Jackets watches as his team warms up prior to the start of the game against the Colorado Avalanche on March 3, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 3: General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen of the Columbus Blue Jackets watches as his team warms up prior to the start of the game against the Colorado Avalanche on March 3, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

NHL free agency kicks off tomorrow (July 13th), giving teams a chance to add key pieces to their roster. There are some big names headed to the market this summer, perhaps none greater than Pittsburgh Penguin legend Evgeni Malkin. But for the Blue Jackets, a team in transition, I don’t expect them to make a big splash this summer. The roster is very young and I expect another year of development, perhaps with some decisions to be made next summer.

That doesn’t mean the next few weeks of the offseason won’t be news-worthy for the club, as they have some key restricted freeagents to lock up. I also expect some moves to be made to tweak the roster, as the logjam on both forward and defense will need addressing. If anything, I think they may look to add a veteran depth defenseman, the kind of move that won’t make headlines, but might help stabilize the back end. Read: Laine deal has to work for both sides.

Mar 20, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Horton (8) skates during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. The Blue Jackets defeated the Canadiens 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nathan Horton (8) skates during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. The Blue Jackets defeated the Canadiens 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Traditionally, the Blue Jackets don’t have a long history of making big name free agent signings. Perhaps most notable is the Nathan Horton signing in 2013, which did not work out. But, while this team is primarily built via the draft; in general I think GM Jarmo Kekalainen has done a nice job adding depth to his roster via free agency, with his best signings becoming key depth pieces. To attract the bigger names on the market, you have to have a team ready to compete; and the window for the CBJ is still most likely 2-3 years away.

Today, we’ll take a look back at three of the best free agent signings Jarmo has ever made, and their impact with the club.

When the Blue Jackets announced the signing of Dublin native Sean Kuraly last summer, it left many fans scratching their heads. For a team with plenty of depth, it seemed an unnecessary move, and many questioned the term given to him. After all, many said: what the team really needs are high end centers, not more depth.

Nov 18, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Blue Jackets signed Kuraly to a four year contract, carrying a cap hit of $2.5m AAV. One year later, this looks like an extremely intelligent move that has already been well worth every penny. Kuraly spent parts of five seasons with the Boston Bruins, and while he didn’t post huge offensive numbers (26 goals, 68 points in 270 games played), he was an effective forechecker who drove play for the Bruins’ bottom six.

Right out of the gate, Kuraly brought energy and leadership to the Blue Jackets lineup. He would go on to post career highs in both goals (14) and points (30), along with 62 minutes in penalties. As advertised, he drove the play when he was on the ice and gave the team plenty of physical play on the fourth line. He became the team’s most trusted defensive zone specialist, was strong in the faceoff circle, and killed penalties. He and Eric Robinson were two of the most consistent forwards for the team all season, and it was their line that seemed to help several other players get their games moving this year.

Apr 5, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (17) celebrates his goal with center Sean Kuraly (7) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (17) celebrates his goal with center Sean Kuraly (7) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

We can debate all day long about the term given to Kuraly or the AAV, but in my opinion he’s been well worth both figures. You need depth guys to win, and Sean has provided depth and a calm, physical presence to a group that needed some leadership. It’s even better when you find guys like this who know and love the area. Read: CBJ Offseason Gameplan.

This was an important acquisition for a team that has traditionally been thin up the middle. At least for the next three years, we know we can count on our fourth line to provide quality minutes, as long as Kuraly is in the lineup.

The “Other” Bruins center could mean a couple of players. Gregory Campbell was a free agent signing by the Blue Jackets in 2015, and he fared pretty well in his one season with the club. But in this case, we’re talking about the signing made in the summer of 2018: Riley Nash.

Jan 8, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Riley Nash (20) during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Riley Nash (20) during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

A veteran center and former first round pick, Nash was coming off of a 15 goal, 41 point season with the Boston Bruins and was looking to cash in. The fit was obvious for the Blue Jackets, who inked the right hand shooting center to a three year, $8.25m deal.

While his production was never very good, Nash provided the Blue Jackets with a quality depth center, who took on the tough defensive assignments and gave the team safe minutes. In three years with the club, he would play in 179 games in Union Blue, scoring 10 goals and 33 points.

Often playing like a third defenseman on the ice, Nash went about his job quietly and did all of the little things well. It’s safe to say, you rarely noticed him out there … for better or worse. He just consistently made the safe plays and went about his business. He was a favorite of John Tortorella and was a key part of the fourth line that helped the club sweep the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.

Jan 14, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Riley Nash (20) celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Riley Nash (20) celebrates a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /

Nash was eventually traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2021 trade deadline, in exchange for a conditional 7th round pick. That pick became a 6th rounder once Nash played in half of Toronto’s playoff games … and was then dealt this past deadline to Florida in the trade that sent Max Domi to Carolina, in exchange for prospect Aidan Hreschuk. The fact that Nash is included on this list makes it evident that the Blue Jackets typically aren’t big free agent spenders. But make no mistake – this was a deal that worked out well for both sides.

The Gus Bus, that is. (Benchwarmers, anyone?) The summer of 2019 will forever be remembered as the mass exodus from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Gone were stars Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Matt Duchene. Even Ryan Dzingel left town, though not many remember ever seeing him there anyway. But it wasn’t all bad – the Blue Jackets quietly signed a very notable, quality veteran winger: Gustav Nyquist.

Mar 4, 2020; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets center Gustav Nyquist (14) skates against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2020; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets center Gustav Nyquist (14) skates against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

After spending most of his 8-year career with the Detroit Red Wings, Nyquist played 19 games with the San Jose Sharks in 2019, before becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time. “Gus” was looking for a fresh start and a long-term deal. Enter the Blue Jackets. Desperate to replace some of the scoring lost in their departing players, they inked Nyquist to a four year, $22m contract.

Believe it or not, this is one of the highest-profile free agent signings the team has ever made. Nyquist quickly became a fan favorite, scoring 15 goals and 42 points through 70 games in his first year in Central Ohio. Though he would miss the entire COVID shortened 2020-21 season, he returned this year and didn’t skip a beat, scoring 18 goals and 53 points while skating in all 82 games.

Feb 14, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; celebrates with teammate center Gustav Nyquist (14) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers in the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; celebrates with teammate center Gustav Nyquist (14) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers in the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

It would have been easy for any team to fall apart with the amount of talent that left in the summer of 2019. Leadership and a solid core helped the team stem the tide and remain competitive. But, I don’t think Nyquist gets enough credit for what he was able to bring: a calming veteran, with enough skill to take a place in the team’s top-six.

Nyquist enters the last year of his deal this fall, but has expressed his love for Columbus and desire to stay. While the team is getting younger and more skilled, keeping the veteran around for a few more seasons may not hurt. If they decide to move in another direction, this is still a player with gas left in the tank, who could net a nice return via trade. Truly, this free agent signing has paid off already – but could continue to be productive for years to come. Read: CBJ 2016 Draft Review.

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