Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

On the first day of free agency Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen stayed true to his word and stood on the sidelines.

Derek MacKenzie decided to chase the money and sign in Florida while another good depth player Blake Comeau signed cheap in Pittsburgh to play for a Cup and secure an NHL job on a good team. Through all that Kekalainen stood idle and was one of four general managers who didn't sign a free agent.

While he didn't sign any players in free agency, Kekalainen did make a trade sending Matt Frattin back to Toronto in exchange for young depth winger Jerry D'Amigo and a conditional 7th round pick.

Frattin bounced around three different organizations and never really found his groove or fit in Columbus, so it wasn't a surprise to see him sent packing.

In D'Amigo the Blue Jackets landed a 23-year-old winger who can skate, play on the penalty kill and chip in offensively here and there. He only recorded three points in 22 NHL games last season, but he was buried by Randy Carlyle playing about five minutes a night for the worst possession team in hockey.

If any injuries arise, D'Amigo is the kind of player who can move up a line or two and fill the void. He's not a star player by any means, but he has that Swiss Army Knife feel in that he can do a lot of different things, and a coach can be comfortable putting him on the ice regardless of the situation.

D'Amigo figures to start on the 4th line with Mark Letestu and Jared Boll, barring a depth player within the organization winning one of their jobs in camp.

With this move I think the Blue Jackets are all but set. They need to extend Ryan Johansen, but barring a free agent shaking through the cracks later in free agency and falling onto their laps at a cheap price, I don't anticipate much movement from Kekalainen the rest of the way.

Jackets posts

Talks between Blue Jackets, Johansen reach standstill

Blue Jackets draft review

Blue Jackets acquire Scott Hartnell

Blue Jackets should listen to offers for Jack Johnson

Blue Jackets prospect data: Rychel, Bjorkstrand dominant in 13-14

Devils posts

Larsson signs one-year extension

Devils buy out Volchenkov

Devils draft review

Devils prospect data: Damon Severson stellar in 13-14

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email: [email protected]