The CBJ Writer

Kirill Marchenko, the 24-year-old Blue Jackets Right Winger, has a lot to celebrate tonight after inking a massive deal with the organization today. After Kent Johnson's deal of $5.4 Million over three seasons was announced yesterday, I and others expected a deal for Kirill Marchenko or Cole Sillinger to be announced soon. That said, I don't think anyone saw the payday coming for Kirill Marchenko. Over the next three seasons with the club, he will make an astonishing $11.55 Million. Some fans question why Don Waddell signed him for so much, but when you look at his numbers from this past season, his place here is sealed with a bow unless he wants out of Columbus.  Kirill Marchenko played 78 games in the 2023-24 NHL Season, missing only 4 games. In that time, he scored 42 points for the Blue Jackets, including 23 goals and 19 assists. When you consider that he put up these numbers in just his second NHL season, that's a statement. It's a statemeent of 'I want ice tim...

We still have a few lingering players who have finished their entry-level contracts and need a new deal with the Blue Jackets organization. Today, one player was taken off that waiting list. Kent Johnson has taken the Blue Jackets offer deal of $5.4 Million over the next three NHL seasons. It's a great deal for the only player to have ever scored a 'Michigan Goal' and been impactful even as a young player. Sadly, the 21-year-old's season was cut short in 2023-24 due to a shoulder injury that required surgery in early March. That said, in just 42 games, he did have 6 goals and 10 assists with a -2 and just 10 penalty minutes. The season prior, he only missed 3 games, finishing with 16 goals and 24 assists over 79 games with a -19 and 14 penalty minutes. For how young he is, it's evident that if Kent Johnson can return to the ice with a rehabbed shoulder, he'll be a dangerous forward that I'd rather see us play with than against. I look forward to watching him...

It's the third time I've written a post like this, and I'm looking forward to not doing so again for some time. No payment amount has been announced, but we do know that Dean Evanson has been contracted by the Columbus Blue Jackets to coach for multiple seasons, starting in 2024-25. Evanson has experience on and off the ice, unlike our recent coach picks. His most recent time behind the bench came coaching the Minnesota Wild, a task he adopted in 2020 as an interim head coach but held onto until 2023. In his time there, he had 147 wins, 77 losses, and 27 overtime losses. They didn't go deep in the playoffs, but it's also worth noting that the Wild did see the postseason for all the years he was interim or head coach. He also had several chances to be named Coach of the Year but fell short in voting for the Jack Adam's Award. Keep in mind that these are just his recent achievements with one team. To read all of his accomplishments, view the article I read here be...

It's sad to see another Ohio-grown hockey player leave the Columbus Blue Jackets, but I hope the 26-year-old will find new drive and opportunity in Anaheim. Carson Meyer leaves us for the Ducks after playing 14 games in the 2023-24 Columbus Blue Jackets regular season. Over that time, he had a goal and an assist for two points. He had more time and success with our AHL team, the Cleveland Monsters, where he played 55 games in their 2023-24 Season. Over that time, he had 22 goals and 15 assists for 37 points. He still has time to make his mark on the NHL, and that could start with his one-year deal out in California. AAV (Average Annual Value) has yet to be given for this deal, but if I see it tonight, I'll update this post. It's also worth noting that our first-round pick in 2018 (8th overall) has gone through the NHL Waiver process. Don Waddell has made it clear that Adam Boqvist's contract will be bought out, and he will not be part of the Columbus Blue Jackets next s...

The 2024 Trade Deadline gives and takes away every season. Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed Sean Monahan to a deal that will last five years and give him a 5.5 Million AAV. This was the brighter side of the day as several Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Monsters players signed elsewhere, including a favorite of mine.  The 30-year-old Center, Brenden Gaunce, left us to join the Minnesota Wild. He agreed to a deal that will go through the 2025-26 NHL Season. He was in Columbus last season for 24 games and had 4 points with an even 2 goals and 2 assists. I have yet to see what his contract is valued at, but nevertheless, I wish him good luck with the Wild.  Jake Bean had the 5th Line divided. Some saw value in him staying, while others wanted him traded months ago. He wasn't traded today but signed to become a Calgary Flame. This contract will take him through the 2025-26 NHL Season like Brenden Gaunce. It'll pay him roughly 1.75 million each season. Appearing in 72 ga...

It's the start of Free Agency 2024, and I knew Don Waddell would make moves in his first as the Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager. Minutes ago, the team announced via X that a move had been made. We've acquired experienced Center Sean Monahan to join the Blue Jackets. He's a recognizable name for a reason. Last season, he played 49 games with the Montreal Canadians and had 13 goals with 22 assists for 35 points. Then, he went to the Winnipeg Jeets, adding on another 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points in just 34 games. That's a grand total of 59 points over 83 games. Imagine what he can do if he stays healthy and plays an entire season on a line with veteran and former teammate Johnny Gaudreau. Not to mention the influence he could have on our young centers, such as Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger. Here I thought the most exciting news of the day would be our home opener against the 2024 Stanly Cup Champion Florida Panthers October 15th. Sometimes, being wrong is...