Columbus was well over the cap after the Laine deal, forced to move star winger for pennies on the dollar
I'm sure that just about everyone in the hockey world had assumed that after not filing for salary arbitration, the plan for Patrik Laine was to quietly sign his qualifying offer with the Columbus Blue Jackets and depart as a UFA next summer. Naturally, when he signed a 4-year extension with the club, which carries an $8.7M AAV, many were quite surprised - especially because of what it means for the team's cap situation.
Per CapFriendly, after the Laine signing, the Blue Jackets were $6.358M over the salary cap with 25/23 players signed through next season. In other words, we all knew a trade was coming and that a significant contract would be moved out. I don't think anyone expected it to happen this soon, but even more surprising was the contract they chose to move out.
The Blue Jackets announced on Friday afternoon that they have traded 27-year-old Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Seattle Kraken for a pair of draft picks (2023 3rd, 2024 4th). Obviously, the initial reaction to this deal in any Leafs fan's mind is "why wasn't Kyle Dubas all over this deal?". Well, it is worth noting that Bjorkstrand did have a modified NTC that allowed him to submit a 10-team no-trade list. There is some early speculation that Bjorkstrand did not wish to play in Canada.
It does make some sense that Bjorkstrand was the piece moved out instead of someone like Gustav Nyquist or Jakub Voracek, since both of them are 32 years of age and would have likely required the Jackets to include a sweetener in the deal in order to move them. In Voracek's case, the Jackets may have also had to retain around $2M in salary as well.
Bjorkstrand was a 3rd round pick (89th overall) of the Blue Jackets back in 2013. In 382 career NHL games, Bjorkstrand has posted 111 goals and 234 points. He added 12 points in 31 playoff games as well.
All of a sudden, the Seattle Kraken look like they may be ready to start making some noise as early as this coming season.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 22 | 167 ANSWERS Columbus was well over the cap after the Laine deal, forced to move star winger for pennies on the dollar Which player will Columbus move to become cap compliant? | ||
| Jakub Voracek | 64 | 38.3 % |
| Gustav Nyquist | 59 | 35.3 % |
| Other | 44 | 26.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
