The Blue Jackets made another depth addition to the organization on Wednesday by signing journeyman defenseman Dysin Mayo to a one-year, two-way contract at league minimum.
Suffice to say, this probably isn't a signing made to alter any of their plans at the NHL level. While Mayo does have 82 games of NHL experience; he's spent much of his professional career at the American Hockey League level. In 426 career AHL games, he's accumulated 29 goals, 97 points and 344 penalty minutes.
Originally a 5th round pick (#144 overall) of the Arizona Coyotes at the 2014 NHL Draft, he spent the first 7 years of his pro career in their organization, before joining the Vegas Golden Knights organization for his last 3 seasons. There, he's played exclusively for the Henderson Silver Knights.
Dysin will become a valuable addition to the Cleveland Monsters next season. At 6'0" and 190 pounds, he's an experienced right-shot defenseman who can do a little bit of everything for them; capable of playing on either special teams unit and adding a little toughness. He is serviceable enough to eat up minutes in the NHL if called upon as well, but I don't see him being the first player recalled.
Most likely, he becomes a role model for the Monsters. A leader by example, and a protector of some of the younger defensemen; from both a physical and minute munching perspective.
The Monsters will now have 4 right shot defensemen signed next year, with Mayo joining Corson Ceulemans, Christian Jaros, and incoming prospect Luca Marrelli. In what will be a fairly young group overall, the need was there for the organization to bolster the Cleveland lineup with some more depth. This signing does the job.
More to come?
It still feels like there is more adding to do in Cleveland. And, possibly Columbus; depending on how many defensemen they want to carry. Currently, there are 6 players in the organization who are signed to one-way contracts next season. Denton Mateychuk is still able to be moved up and down between the NHL and AHL without waivers; but he's a lock for the CBJ top-four. Counting him, they have 7 defensemen at the NHL level.
There are also 7 players under CBJ contracts who are scheduled to join the Monsters, with an 8th (Daemon Hunt) likely to re-sign as well. That makes 15 between the two teams, assuming Hunt does return. In case of a recall or two, they may want to add more depth to the system in the coming weeks. Injuries on the back end are inevitable, so you can never have too many defensemen.