How should the CBJ tackle free agency?

There are a few questions the CBJ must answer going into the start of free agency. Do they want to bring in a veteran center, preferably one who can move the puck around? Do the Jackets want to stay the course, and start the season with Boone Jenner, Jack Roslovic, Sean Kuraly and #3 overall pick Adam Fantilli? Will they trade Jack Roslovic so Cole Sillinger or Kent Johnson can play center?

The Blue Jackets front office have some very important work to do indeed. Per PuckPedia, the Jackets currently have $4.75 million in salary cap space. That is pending the signing of the last two RFA’s they have, Marcus Bjork and Tim Berni. They have until 5pm today to decide if they want to give a qualifying offer to those two. If they do choose to qualify them, that cap number will be under $4 million.

So, what about Jack Roslovic? He’s entering the final year of his deal, which will pay him $4 million this season, and is the easy choice if the CBJ front office would want to shed some salary for a free agent signing. Trading Roslovic would push that cap number over $7 million. Another pending UFA is Eric Robinson, who has been a valuable 4^th liner for this team. Robinson set a career high in goals last year, including his first hat trick. He’s set to make $1.6 million this season. As much as fans like him, he could very well be on the block as well, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s signed to an extension.

If the Jackets do make some room to bring in a veteran center, who would that be? There are some cheaper options out there could be brought in and used as a bridge for a couple years, so players like Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson can grow and mature. Names like Ryan O’Reilly and Alexander Killorn who are both left-handed have been brought up. Both are around 33 years old, but Killorn doubled O’Reilly’s production last year. Killorn also made $3 million less than O’Reilly and is going to get a raise this season no doubt, and that probably prices him out of Columbus. O’Reilly made $7.5 million last season and only played in 53 games, I’m guessing he won’t make that same amount, but again could be too expensive for Columbus.

Of the centers that are right-handed, the list is smaller and less expensive. Patrice Bergeron is a UFA, as is David Krejci, but neither of those two are coming to Columbus. The name that sticks out is J.T. Compher. Of all the free agent centers, he’s one of the players that is going to get a lot of attention. There are some reports he has interest in Chicago, and that the feeling is mutual. Compher made $3.5 million last season, played in all 82 games for the Avalanche, scored 17 goals and had 52 points, so what kind of raise is he going to demand?

There are other names like Oskar Sundqvist, Craig Smith and even Jonathan Toews, but who could they go out and get that could play with Johnny Gaudreau and Patrick Laine? Ryan Donato had a decent year in Seattle, but again, where would he fit? Matt Duchene was also just bought out by Nashville, could we see a return to Columbus for him?

The Jackets have some decisions to make regarding free agency, and most likely have had their plan in place since the end of last season. Defense is taken care of, and they’re most likely starting with Merzlikins and Tarasov in net, so that’s done. And whether they go after anyone at all remains to be seen. They have guys like Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger and Alex Texier who can and have played center. Patrik Laine even wants to play center. Add Adam Fantilli into the mix, and this situation gets even more murky.

Free agency is always chaos is the NHL, so either way, Columbus fans should buckle up and prepare for anything. Because if there’s one thing we know about GM Jarmo Kekalainen, he always has surprises up his sleeve.