What the Ek is this? Columbus are buyers?!
The summer has already proven that with the hiring of Mike Babcock as the 11th head coach in franchise history, and defensive add-ons in Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson.
The move from Europe to the main roster is a promotion for Niklas Backstrom for the Blue Jackets’ management staff.
Now, if you follow Ek’s rumor chart, you may see there is speculation that the Blue Jackets have interest in Connor Hellybuck, the franchise starting goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets.
The 2012 5th round pick had a stellar year for the Jets, but has made it clear he will not resign next season, when he becomes an UFA.
The Michigan native has a 238-154-37 record with a 0.916 save percentage and a 17-23 record with a 0.916 save percentage in his Winnipeg Jets’ regular season and playoff careers.
Hellybuck makes $6.167M this season.
What are your mock trades?
Does he move here or elsewhere?
CBJ Re-Up Josh Dunne
The Columbus Blue Jackets have extended center Josh Dunne to a one year two way contract extension for the 2023-2024 season, with an average annual cap hit of $775K.
Dunne, 24, is pointless in his NHL career over 11 games from 2020-2021 through 2022-2023. He has 58 points in 109 AHL games, all with the Monsters.
CBJ Player Profile - Ben Boyd
Ben Boyd is the 2021 6th round draft pick, 165rh overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is the newest pick in the summer player profile series.
Boyd, 19, is a Dartmouth, NC native that went through Charlottetown in the QMJHL for development. This past season is the exception as he played with Saint Mary’s.
He was averaging a 0.33ppg with the Q, and had only one assist in 9 games with Saint Mary’s this season.
He could be a bottom six forward for his size, but could thrive with the middle six in Cleveland.
THE PICK IS IN
In collaboration with Hockeybuzz in the 2023 Mock Draft, I have submitted who will be going third overall tomorrow in our joint efforts. Please view tomorrow, and will be covered further tomorrow here on my page as well.