With the news yesterday that the Columbus Blue Jackets agreed to a four-year extension with defenseman Dante Fabbro, it’s a good time to go over who else on the Blue Jackets is an unrestricted free agent and set to hit the open market in just 24 hours.

There are eight players that are trending toward hitting the open market unless the organization and any of the UFAs reach an agreement on an extension within the next day. And while extensions could still sneak in before the buzzer, it’s more likely that general manager Don Waddell is preparing for some turnover in his depth chart.

First up, the biggest name on their UFA list is Ivan Provorov. The 28-year-old has been a key part of their blue line over the last few seasons. However, based on his projected asking price of $7 million per season for six years, it may be too steep to pay in Waddell's perspective. That could lead to Provorov hitting the open market, where interest is expected to be high. If he does, the New York Rangers are one of the teams expected to pursue him. He’s a strong puck mover and can play heavy minutes, which makes him a good fit for a team trying to contend right away.

As per Pierre LeBrun, the Blue Jackets and the representatives of Provorov are still in talks about a contract extension and will continue to do it until 11:59 p.m. tonight.

The next grouping of players are all depth forwards. Justin Danforth, Kevin Labanc, Christian Fischer, and Luke Kunin are all currently unsigned and could be replaced, either through the open market or with internal options from the AHL. I’d suspect that Waddell will at least take one last run at a few players like Danforth and potentially Kunin to keep some familiarity and depth intact.

Taking a look at their projected cap hits:

Luke Kunin – $1.7 million over two years
Justin Danforth – $1.4 million over two years
Kevin Labanc – $948,414 on a one-year deal
Christian Fischer – $750,000 on a one-year deal

If none of these players return, this year’s free agent pool has a ton of serviceable bottom-six forwards that the Blue Jackets could consider.

A few names that stand out:

Brandon Tanev
Nick Bjugstad
Nico Sturm
Justin Brazeau

All four would fit the mold of the kind of hard-working, dependable players that can give you quality shifts on a third or fourth line without breaking the bank. There’s also a chance Waddell could look to the farm system. It might be a smart play to inject a bit more youth into the bottom six, using players from the AHL like Luca Del Bel Belluz, Owen Sillinger, Jack Williams, or Jordan Dumais. Each of them has shown flashes of NHL potential and could push for a spot with a strong camp.

REPORT: Ivan Provorov and Blue Jackets Still In Talks On New Deal According to Pierre LeBrun and Aaron Portzline, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ivan Provorov had extended negotiations over the weekend that went deep into Sunday. Waddell said in a radio interview today that they talked until midnight on Sunday night. 

Next up, there’s James van Riemsdyk and Sean Kuraly. Both are veteran forwards who, if not re-signed by the Blue Jackets, are almost certain to find new homes quickly. They’re the kind of players playoff teams tend to circle on July 1, low-risk, low-cost, and experienced. They can chip in 25+ points in a season, play the game the right way, and offer solid leadership in the locker room.

As of right now, van Riemsdyk is projected to sign for around $1 million on a one-year deal, though that could drop closer to the veteran minimum depending on where he lands. Kuraly is projected around $1.4 million over two years, and his hometown ties could factor in, depending on which teams come calling. Neither player figures to be part of Columbus’ long-term plans, but if there’s a mutually beneficial fit on a short-term deal, it wouldn’t be a shock to see one of them return.

The final player on the list is defenseman Jack Johnson. To be blunt, there’s no realistic path for him to return. He barely saw game action last year, and with the organization now focused on turning over parts of the defense and finding long-term fits, it feels like Johnson’s time with the Blue Jackets has officially come to an end.

With less than 24 hours until the market opens, there’s going to be a lot of movement. The Blue Jackets have roughly $31 million in projected cap space, giving them the flexibility to chase a few bigger targets while also filling out the roster with quality depth. We already saw some of that begin with the acquisitions of Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, two players who should immediately bolster the team’s forward group and add some much-needed veteran presence and versatility.

But it’s far from over. The team is still expected to pursue at least one more impact defenseman to slot in beside Zach Werenski, especially after missing out on Noah Dobson. There’s also a belief that Waddell could look for another middle-six forward with some scoring upside, depending on what happens with some of the current UFAs and potential trade chips.

All in all, July 1 could be one of the more active free agency periods for Columbus in recent memory. Waddell has the cap space, the assets, and the urgency to make meaningful upgrades. The roster still needs work, but there’s a clear vision forming around building a more competitive, structured team.

The countdown to free agency is almost over. Now it’s just a matter of seeing who the Blue Jackets walk away with, and how those signings shape the next phase of their rebuild.

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