Columbus Blue Jackets

[pmorrow]

https://twitter.com/CBJcenter/status...80478095003882

The CBJ Center
@CBJcenter
David Jiricek to The Athletic:

“I played good hockey in the NHL. I’m an NHL player right now. That’s my opinion, that I should be in the NHL right now. I see guys from the same draft, like Simon Nemec and Korchinski… they get a chance on the power play.

(Continued) #CBJ

The CBJ Center
@CBJcenter
·
2h
They play a ton of minutes in the NHL. Those are different teams, so different situations, but I can compare with them. I just want a chance to play like that.”

“They told me the last game was not good enough for me. I told them I don’t think so, but that’s your opinion…

The CBJ Center
@CBJcenter
I was out of the lineup after that. A whole month now, it feels like I haven’t played.”

Aaron Portzline adds “there was concern” that Jiricek would decline to report to AHL Cleveland.


The CBJ Center
@CBJcenter
·
2h
More from Jiricek:

“The guys here in Cleveland are awesome. The coaches are awesome. It’s fun to be here now, because there’s a lot of winning. There’s a good energy. But still … this is not what I want, right?”

[joe jones]

yikes - not good

[2014olympicgold]

He also just got a $9,500/game pay decrease by getting sent down. So he's losing over $300,000 by being sent down.

[Axeman33]

Keep your eyes out for this kid in multicat leagues. A former 5th round pick finding his way the old fashion way; he's earning it. He won't win any scoring titles but he will cover those dirty cats for you. He hits and leads his AHL in PIMs and isn't afraid to shoot the puck either.

https://twitter.com/JacketsInsider/s...15091124039967

James Malatesta had eight hits and a fight in his #CBJ debut last night. Why the late scrum?

"I don't know. I was toward the end of my shift. My brain wasn't really functioning and I just saw him there and he said, 'You wanna go?' I was like yeah, sure. I'm not the guy to back down."

Really like this guy's game. Just a first-year pro. Could see him as a real NHL energy guy/pest down the road.

[2014olympicgold]

Now that the dust is starting to settle, the CBJ are now $2,698,334 under the cap floor with 12F, 8D, 2G on their roster (plus 2 retained salary/buyout penalties. but one of them is -$67k).

Also, just a recap of what has happened with JG contract:
- It's off the books completely
- His wife gets 1yrs salary+$1m
- His salary for 2024-25 was $2m SB, $7.75m salary, so his wife will receive $7.75m+$1m.
- His wife is eligible for his full NHL pension (roughly $225k/yr starting at 62yrs old)
- I'm not 100% sure if the $1m above is the NHL life insurance program, but he was eligible for it.

[Daydream Nation]

Thanks for the info. I wondered about that.

[loppantorkel]

According to puckpedia, Columbus has a projected cap-space of $25,698,334. Wadell speaking to the Athletic about the interest of signing players, or trading for them.

They lack their second round pick for 2025, but those are usually recoverable. They have to consider offer-sheeting some of the RFAs, don't they? If not Raymond, wouldn't Swayman be of interest? (I think I heard somewhere that Swayman couldn't be offer-sheeted any longer though, but I'm not sure why or if it's correct..)

[chuckcouples]

The problem with offer sheets is that they only work if the player actually wants to sign with you and you give them a massive overpay. Columbus is hesitant to do that as none of the unsigned RFAs would be worth a top 5 pick in the draft in each of the next two seasons.

[loppantorkel]

It's just one 1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd round draft picks if you offer $9.161m or below. I doubt they'll do it, but if they have the options to offer sheet Raymond or Swayman, or any other I might be forgetting, they're likely at least considering it. Would Detroit or Boston match?

It's of course risky if you may end up with first overall, but for a fourth or fifth overall pick (+ the 2nd and 3rd), a slight over payment for any of these proven guys may be worth it.

[Darkwing Puck]

Jenner is out 5-6 months after having shoulder surgery. Fate sure does seem to like kicking the Blue Jackets while they're down.

[dejeanneret]

Nice night and heavy ice time for Kent Johnson last night it seems (just box score reading). Anyone watch the game and have insights on how he and the rest of the Jackets looked generally?

Obviously not a contender type team, but just wondering how they looked from a fantasy production perspective...