The CBJ Writer

Our last outstanding player in need of an extension's finally signed the dotted line! Cole Sillinger (Center) will be with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the next two NHL Seasons after agreeing to a contract paying him $2.25 million each year. This past season Sillinger bounced back from his 2022-2023 NHL Season where he appeared in 64 games where he had just 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points. It wasn't the second season he wanted after such a successful rookie season where he appeared in 79 games and had 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points. This past season, even with injuries that made him miss games, he appeared in 77 games, hitting the stride of his rookie season with 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points. It's been exciting to watch him overcome adversity on the ice so young. It proves he can do it, and in a town like Columbus that hasn't had the best seasons since he joined us out of the draft, I feel this asset adds to his value. I'm so happy Don Waddell h

We all knew it was on the horizon, but even still, it's bittersweet to see Patrik Laine leaving Columbus. He was a fan favorite, and although it's hard to see him move on, I know the same fans want what's best for him. Over his four seasons with the Blue Jackets, he appeared in 174 games. In that time, he had 64 goals and 74 assists, giving him 138 points in a Blue Jackets jersey. His final of the four seasons was particularly tough, riddled with injuries that came to a concerning conclusion when he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program at the end of January. He was recently cleared to exit the program, but before made his desire clear to move on from Columbus. Today, it was announced he'd get his wish as the Center now heads back to Canada to join the Montreal Canadians.  In the end, Patrik Laine gets the fresh start he needs, and the Columbus Blue Jackets get something they need in return. We lost Laine and our Round 2 Pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, but in retu