The Columbus Blue Jackets made a big splash Wednesday, July 13 when they signed six-time All-Star free agent left wing Johnny Gaudreau to a seven-year deal through the 2028-29 season. It’ll be worth a total of $68.25 million, valued at $9.75 million a year. Gaudreau turns 29 on August 13 and will be an immediate difference maker on the ice for the Blue Jackets.
“Exciting day for the Blue Jackets organization,” General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “That goes without saying and I can’t emphasize that enough, but I think it’s a great day for the City of Columbus as well.”
Gaudreau was selected 104th overall of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. He played a total of nine seasons and 602 games with the Flames. In that time, Gaudreau collected 210 goals and 399 assists for 609 points overall. Since his introduction in the league, Gaudreau has reached third in assists and sixth in points.
“To get a player his caliber is going to make us instantly better and make players better around him which is really important in the culture of a hockey team,” Kekalainen said. “That you have players that lead by example and he’s done it throughout his career and we couldn’t be happier to have him here.”
Choosing Columbus
Free agents, especially of Gaudreau’s caliber don’t tend to think of Columbus as a premier destination. especially of Gaudreau’s caliber. Gaudreau touched on having played there many times and said how it’s always been a lot of fun. He’s already been feeling the love with the warm reception he’s been receiving from his new teammates. Gaudreau knows the Blue Jackets are a young team, but that’s one factor that he thinks attracted him.
“I think there’s a lot of potential, I thought it was a good spot for me personally,” Gaudreau said. “I think we can have a lot of success here.”
The hockey world was stunned by the news, when it went official. Most people wondering why in the world he’d choose Columbus over bigger markets. Gaudreau wasn’t sure why players don’t have Columbus as a potential city they’d like to play in.
“I wanted to come here, this was always a place circled on my list,” Gaudreau said.
Gaudreau had options such as staying in Calgary, joining the New York Islanders or even his home state New Jersey Devils.
“We looked at some other options, but I think this was the best one for us (he and his wife Meredith) and where we’re at in our life and just made the most sense,” Gaudreau said.
Thoughts from head coach Brad Larsen
Head coach Brad Larsen is staying the path with where the team is at and their goals going forward. He said their goal every year is to make the playoffs. Larsen noted how they missed the playoffs last season, but how they grew from that. He said they want to continue to grow next season and how this is part of the plan.
“Johnny’s not coming in here to be a savior, he’s not coming in here to cheer this team to the playoffs,” Larsen said.
Larsen said Gaudreau falls right in line with their plan with how he’s here long term, has a lot of good hockey left in him and how he’s excited to be here.
The Future
There are moves left to be made such as re-signing RFA Patrik Laine and clearing some cap space. However, this move shows that Columbus means business going forward. At Fort Nationwide, the future is bright.
