Blue Jackets Pick Up Experienced Defenseman In Free Agency- 7/13/22

Well, at least the Blue Jackets waited to sign a man on Free Agency day after I got home from Prospect Development Camp Day 3!  Erik Gudbranson is a 6'5, 222 Lb. Defenseman from the Calgary Flames.  How's that for an experienced Defenseman 5th Line?  Getting into his 2022-23 NHL Season numbers with them, he played nearly the full season, with 78 games total.  In those games the 30-year-old Defenseman had 6 goals and 11 assists.  Since he is a Defenseman, I'll add in his 68 penalty minutes in his stats review too.  

What did Jarmo Kekalainen have to say after his agreement was inked?  Thanks to Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider on Twitter) I can tell you.  "If you want a guy, there's a price of doing business, and we got it done."  Jarmo doesn't need my approval on his statement, but I will say I agree with him.  It's amazing to see him brining big talent to Columbus.  Jarmo is doing his job and we get to watch the benifit soon, but definitely not soon enough!  Each day that goes by I can't wait to see this 2022-23 Columbus Blue Jackets team take the ice.  This signing now and the Development Camp this morning, let me tell you 5th Line, the hype is real!  

Unless something changes (trade) we'll have Gudbranson with us for the next 4 seasons, starting this upcoming 2022-23 NHL Season.  He'll be paied 4 Million each contract season.   

Go CBJ!  

Source:

Jeff Svoboda Tweet "

" 🖊️ Welcome Erik Gudbranson!

The Blue Jackets have signed free agent defenseman to a four-year, $16 million contract ($4 million AAV) through the 2025-26 season #CBJ"

Post 2 "#CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen on the contract length/price it took to sign Erik Gudbranson: "If you want a guy, there's a price of doing business, and we got it done."

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