With the Columbus Blue Jackets reaching an agreement with Mikael Pyyhtiä on a one-year, two-way contract yesterday, there is just one remaining restricted free agent (RFA) they need to re-sign, and that is Daemon Hunt.
Hunt, 23, is a left-handed defenceman that Columbus acquired from the Minnesota Wild as part of the David Jiricek trade last season. His previous salary from last year was $828,333 over a three-year term. If he does sign with the Blue Jackets, his salary will likely be similar to Pyyhtiä’s, which is $775,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the AHL level.
He is coming off a season where he split time between the Iowa Wild and the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL. In 57 games, he recorded two goals and 16 assists for 18 points. As a defenceman, he is not expected to score a lot, but if he can bring 20-25 points to the NHL level, he could be a strong sixth or seventh defenceman for the Blue Jackets.
At this time, there is no indication that a deal is close. However, with training camp and the 2025-26 preseason starting in just over a month, there is a good chance both sides will reach an agreement before then.
