The window to talk to pending unrestricted free agents opens up on Wednesday, which gives NHL teams five days to reach out to their respective targets and try to get a contract in place by July 1 when signings can become official.
Columbus has almost $23 million in cap space to play with and the potential to clear up to $4.6 million more if they can find a trade partner for R.J. Umberger or elect to use a compliance buyout on him.
Ryan Johansen needs a new contract ((contract talks are underway but moving slowly)) but besides that all they need to do is to add some depth players and sign a backup goaltender (re-signing Curtis McElhinney seems likely).
Only eight teams have more available cap space right now, but that doesn't mean they're going to go on a spending spree in the coming weeks.
In fact, it sounds like Jarmo Kekalainen and co. will do the exact opposite.
RT @CBJTherapy: @Aportzline Do you get sense #CBJ will be active in free agency? // Not at all. Toe-dippers, not plungers.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 22, 2014As I mentioned, the Blue Jackets need to add some depth players and if they feel they can bring in a good player at a reasonable player I'm sure they'll do it, but don't expect a big splash.
If they make any noise this summer, it'll probably be via trade. Kekalainen seems to like the core of the roster, and with Kerby Rychel, Alex Wennberg, Marko Dano, etc. coming through the ranks - it's expected they'll be given a chance to crack the team this fall - it makes sense to leave a couple spots open and see if they're ready to fill them.
Personally I think Kekalainen is taking the smart road here. Rychel is coming off a dominant season in the OHL, Wennberg was excellent playing overseas, and the team is happy with Dano's development as well. It doesn't make sense to overpay in free agency when there are kids on cheap contracts who may be able to fill the same roles.
Staying away from big money contracts when forced to pay more than market value also gives the team financial flexibility to make a splash should a big name player's name surface on the market (see Kane, Evander) if that's something they want to pursue.
It's a big couple of weeks for the Blue Jackets and I don't expect Kekalainen to sit on his hands, but he's not going to do something that could benefit the team for a year or two and handcuff them long after.
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