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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.

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.

Max DomiMax Domi

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.

Matt DucheneMatt Duchene

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.