Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell calls for help days ahead of the start of the regular season
Photo credit: NHL.com
Over the past week, several veteran NHL free agents have signed tryout agreements, including Max Pacioretty with Toronto, Tyler Johnson with Boston, Tyson Barrie with Calgary, and Sam Gagner with Carolina.
Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is aiming to go a step further by signing a couple of veteran players to actual contracts before training camp begins next week.
Speaking with reporters before the Blue Jackets played Boston at the NHL Prospects Challenge, Waddell mentioned he's revisiting the free-agent pool to find players who can fill immediate roster gaps.
«We're not looking for PTOs but actual contracts,» Waddell said. «There will be players on waivers, and we've talked about potential trades. As of right now, there's nothing in the trade market I'd want to do, but there are a couple of free agents we like who are still available, and we might sign them. We're at least two forwards short right now.»
As a result, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have signed free agent forward James Van Riemsdyk to a one year deal worth $900,000.
One reason the Blue Jackets need urgent help is the tragic loss of top forward Johnny Gaudreau on August 29. Additionally, forward Justin Danforth recently had wrist surgery and is struggling with stickhandling, leaving his status for training camp uncertain.
Waddell's been seeking forward help since July, ideally through a trade with a team facing salary-cap issues.
Waddell prefers signing players to contracts rather than PTOs to avoid the risk of losing them to another team later in training camp.
While the salary cap isn't an issue for the Blue Jackets, staying above the cap floor is. Waddell said the team is consulting the NHL and Players' Association on how the cap will be calculated in light of Gaudreau's death.
«I'm not too worried about the cap floor right now,» Waddell said. «We're in a unique situation, and I've been in talks with the league about it. I don't think it'll be an issue.»
Waddell also said the team is eager to come together to mourn Gaudreau's loss. The last two players, Kirill Marchenko and Dmitry Voronkov, were expected to arrive on Friday.
«Being together as a team will be a critical part of the healing process,» Waddell added.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 15 | 75 ANSWERS Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell calls for help days ahead of the start of the regular season With JVR signed, do you think the Columbus Blue Jackets will make another free agent addition before the start of the season? | ||
| Yes | 60 | 80 % |
| No | 15 | 20 % |
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