The Columbus Blue Jackets made news once again yesterday, although it wasn't as big as when the team announced Todd Richards signed a two-year extension with the club.
Nevertheless, Jarmo Kekalainen has made a couple decisions with the team's prospects ahead of the June 1st signing deadline.
Kekalainen will not be offering defenseman Gianluca Curcuruto a contract. After registering 56 points in 78 combined games between the regular season and playoffs in 2012-13, Curcuruto took a bit of a step back - although he played for a mediocre Plymouth team - this past season picking up 29 points in 62 regular season/playoff games. At 6'1" 185lb he's a little small for a defenseman, and he didn't really stand out in my live viewings of him.
He was a 7th round pick in 2012 and since he won't be signed, he'll be eligible to re-enter this year's draft. I'd be very surprised if he is chosen.
One prospect the team seems keen on signing is winger Daniel Zaar. According to Aaron Portzline, the Jackets are in talks with his camp in hopes of agreeing to terms on an entry-level deal.
Zaar was a 6th round pick of the Jackets in 2012. He's coming off a 36 point campaign in 52 games while playing in one of the top hockey leagues in Sweden, so it's probably worthwhile to give him a contract and see where this goes.
Portzline noted the team has until August 15th to make a decision on goaltender Martin Ouelette, who spent his last four years playing college hockey at Maine. His save percentage has improved steadily over the last four seasons, as it went from an .862SV% in year one, to an .871SV% in year two, a .917SV% as a Junior, and a .925SV% in 34 starts as a Senior.
Goalies are tough to read, but those numbers strike me as a guy worthy of an entry-level contract.
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