Some Columbus fan favorites have moved teams in free agency
NHL free agency started this past Saturday, and there was a lot of movement. No, the CBJ haven't signed anyone yet, but they had a few ex-players move on from their current teams. Let’s look at who they were and where they went.
Related: The Blue Jackets have been quiet so far in free agency
Former Jacket Max Domi signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Domi signed a one-year deal for $3 million. This will be Domi’s 7th NHL team. Domi had a good year for Chicago and Dallas last year, scoring 20 goals and totaling 56 points.
Former CBJ defenseman Jack Johnson is returning to the Colorado Avalanche after spending a season in Chicago. Johnson signed a one-year deal. He only played in 58 games last season, with four assists.
Former Columbus draft pick Mike Reilly, who never actually suited up for the Jackets, signed a one-year deal with Florida. Reilly was made famous in Columbus after he was unable to get a contract done with the Blue Jackets in 2015, thus becoming a free agent. Rumors at the time were that he wanted to play for Minnesota, which he later did, signing his contract a few weeks later. This will be Reilly’s 5th NHL team since 2015.
Former Lumber Jacket Ian Cole signed a one-year deal with Vancouver. Cole played in 20 games with Columbus during the 2017-18 season, after being acquired from Pittsburgh. This will be Cole’s 8th NHL team since 2010.
Gus Nyquist has signed a two-year deal with Nashville for $6.37 million. Nyquist played in 3 seasons for Columbus, missing a full season due to injury. Nyquist had 117 points for Columbus during his time here. This is Nyquists 5th NHL team.
Columbus fan favorite Joonas Korpisalo signed a five-year, $20 million deal with Ottawa. The 29-year-old goalie spent nine seasons in the Columbus system. Fans of Korpisalo are excited for him to finally get his long-term contract.
Lane Pederson signed with the Edmonton Oilers for one-year. Pederson was claimed off waivers from Vancouver last season by Columbus. He played in 16 games and had three points.
Kevin Stenlund will be joining the Florida Panthers on a one-year contract. Drafted by Columbus in 2015, the big center was never able to catch on in a CBJ uniform. He only managed 20 points for the Jackets over parts of four seasons.
Matt Duchene has signed with the Dallas Stars for a season. Duchene played for Columbus in 2019 after being traded from Ottawa to help the Columbus playoff push. The Jackets didn’t offer him a contract after that season, and he signed in Nashville. He was a huge factor in helping the CBJ sweep Tampa Bay.
Former CBJ defenseman Gavin Bayreuther, better known as “The Seattle Kraken Legend”, signed a one-year deal with Dallas. Bayreuther had 23 points as a Jacket. This will be Bayreuther’s second go around with Dallas. From 2016 to 2020 he played in the Stars organization.
Regarding trades, there were a few ex-Jackets that were traded as well.
Anthony Duclair was dealt to the San Jose Sharks, this will be his 7th team. Former lottery pick Pierre-Luc Dubois was sent to the Kings. Former Captain Nick Foligno was traded to the Blackhawks, and Ryan Johansen was dealt to the Avalanche.
It’s been a busy off-season for former Jackets. And it’s possible there could be more deals made before it’s over.