As Erik Gudbranson enters the fourth and final year of his four-year, $4 million AAV contract, the Columbus Blue Jackets will lean on his steadying presence more than ever during the upcoming campaign. At 34 years old, he remains a cornerstone of the team’s leadership group and a reliable third-pairing defenseman who stabilizes both locker room culture and on-ice matchups.
Gudbranson has fully embraced Central Ohio since signing as an unrestricted free agent in July 2022, becoming one of the most visible community ambassadors alongside Boone Jenner and Zach Werenski. His outspoken support during the Gaudreau family tragedy highlighted his willingness to step up off the ice, urging fans to look out for one another and setting a tone of unity and care.
As an alternate captain, Gudbranson's voice has continued to carry weight in the dressing room. He's helped shepherd a locker room now flush with a healthy mix of veterans and young talent through a cultural reset, leveraging his own experience gained since he was drafted third overall 15 years ago to mentor the CBJ's emerging blue liners heading into a season more rife with expectations than any of his prior in Columbus.
On the ice, Gudbranson remains a prototypical stay-at-home defenseman, ideally suited for the third pairing. He finished the 2024-25 campaign with a +1 rating, four points in 16 games—limited by shoulder surgery—but piled up hits, blocked shots, and crucial puck retrievals when healthy.
The season prior, he posted career highs in goals (6), assists (20), and points (26) across 78 games, showcasing more than mere shutdown ability. His history of protecting his younger teammates who are still finding their way into the National Hockey League underscores his role as both enforcer and stabilizer in matchups against depth scoring lines.
His third pairing role is a crucial one in Dean Evason's system, and has been something both General Manager & President of Hockey Operations Don Wadell and Evason have stressed this offseason. In their eyes, losing Gudbranson for most of the season was hugely detrimental to the team's playoff chances in 2024-2025, and adding him back and healthy is almost like adding new talent to the roster.
With his contract winding down, Gudbranson's value transcends the stat sheet. His $4 million cap hit has drawn criticism early on, but his intangibles and consistency have proven him worth every penny during the Jackets' rebuild phase.
Looking ahead, if he continues to thrive in a third-pairing role, it wouldn't be surprising to see him extend his career another half-decade. Columbus would be wise to explore re-signing him next offseason, preserving continuity in leadership and defensive depth. He fits the prototypical "huge body, veteran shut-down defenseman" role we are now seeing so often played during the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup.
One bold prediction: Erik Gudbranson signs a 4 year, $2m AAV contract next offseason.
This might make some Jackets fans gasp in shock and horror, but come on. This is a guy that you want to keep in Columbus while he's still playing net positive hockey. His off-ice intangibles and ability to know his role and play it perfectly is something this team desperately needs moving into the future.