Nick Blankenburg FINALLY Gets A Contract! 7/15/22

The former Hockey Captain of Michigan University, who was signed the same day his fellow teammate Kent Johnson (Our 2021, 5th Overall Pick) to a 1 year Entry Level Contract for the remainder of the 2021-22 NHL Season, has been picked up for an additional 2 years by the Columbus Blue Jackets!  Many, myself included, have been waiting on this Defenseman getting a deal.  Today, the wait is over!  

In the remaining Columbus Blue Jackets Season, once signed on, he played a total of 7 games.  In that time he had 1 goal and 2 assists.  Not a bad showing for going from the Men's NCAA Frozen Four, straight into the NHL.  

I'm very happy to see this deal done.  He's a young Defenseman who will be utilized this season I'm sure.  We have many returning and newly signed Forwards, including Johnny Gaudreau, who will need good Defense to score.  Adding Nick Blankenburg back into the mix of who we already have is a great way to be sure that happens.  Further, with him being younger and newer to the NHL, his contract totaling $1.65 Million over that two year timeframe is easy for the Blue Jackets to commit to, after the heavy signings of Johnny Gaudreau and Erik Gudbranson in Restricted Free Agency, totaling nearly $20 Million a year.  Bonus, for those who didn't get to see him play at the end of last season due to a minor injury (myself again included) we will see him this season.  The one-way deal ensures that he is a set NHL player.  Amazing for him and something he earned for sure.  

Welcome back, Blanks!  

Source:  

Aaron Portzline Tweet on Twitter from July 15, 2022.  

Post:  "#CBJ have signed D Nick Blankenburg to a two-year, $1.65 million contract. He was an RFA without offer sheet rights.

It’s a one-way deal both years. $800,000 this coming season, $850,000 in 2023-24.

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