After a busy couple of weeks, things are starting to look pretty clear for the Blue Jackets. They have now locked up important youngsters Jet Greaves and Cole Sillinger with separate three-year contracts. Now, the focus turns to perhaps the most important player on the roster, but the risk is mostly gone because Don Waddell has given himself plenty of room to work.
Cole and Jet at a bargain rate?
Most analytics thought it would take somewhere between $12 and $13 million dollars to sign both Greaves and Sillinger for more than the next two seasons. Waddell just got them both signed for less than $10 million against the cap. That's good news, because that Adam Fantilli AAV is going way up.
Though it took until the 12th hour with Greaves; once they cleared that $5 million plateau, it sounds like the rest was just in the wording. After they were able to come to an agreement with the young goaltender, the next domino (Sillinger) fell pretty quickly.
We talked in recent weeks about the longevity that is forming within this team's roster, and these guys are both very important pieces of the puzzle. They were important to keep around. My argument here is that this team didn't need to upgrade in certain areas to improve. They just need to grow.
By signing both Greaves and Sillinger to what look like team-friendly deals even without growth, Waddell has left himself plenty of flexibility for his roster, without making any other moves. The team now has more than $15 million dollars to sign Adam Fantilli to his next contract.
That should be more than enough. I would anticipate Mo's deal to pay him in the range of $13.5-$14 million for the next four or five seasons. Once that deal is inked, wherever it comes in, this team's roster is set for next season without any other required moves.
The best part is, if the right deal comes along, they will still have a little bit of wiggle room. Even more so if Isac Lundestrom does begin the season on the injured reserve.
Don Waddell master class.
This summer certainly has not gone as well as many of us hoped it would. But, I think the fact that things have really quieted down around the Blue Jackets, is very good news. Now that guys are starting to sign up, you can see the plan coming together.
Don Waddell has worked at his own pace, and not been pressured into making irrational moves to plug holes or turn the roster over. Now, there aren't any more holes to plug. I'm excited to see what this team can do next season. If they can get any growth from within, they are going to be in great shape.
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