Photo: Eyes On Isles
Left-wing Johnny Gaudreau signed a seven-year contract that carries a $9.8 million cap hit with the Columbus Blue Jackets after becoming an unrestricted free agent at 12 noon ET on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old set career-highs last season when he notched 40 goals (tied for 15th in the NHL) and 115 points (tied with Florida Panthers left-wing Jonathan Huberdeau for second) in 82 regular-season games. Gaudreau also tallied three goals and 14 points in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
He reportedly left $15-17.5 million on the table after leaving the Flames for the Blue Jackets.
In 602 career regular-season games, all with the Flames, Gaudreau has scored 210 goals and 609 points. He has added 11 goals and 33 points in 42 career postseason outings.
The Blue Jackets add a huge boost to their offense after finishing 2021-22 14th in the league with a 3.15 goals-per-game average and 24th with a 18.6% power-play efficiency. Gaudreau averaged 2:57 per game on the power-play, most among Calgary forwards, and earned six goals and 25 points on the man advantage.
The Blue Jackets now have $3,116,667 million in salary cap space.
By Harrison Brown
Congrats to Johnny!
I am wondering if the Caps got rid of Hags and not traded for Brown.. would they have been able to sign Giroux?
I had similar hopes of a surprise move.
Woah. He was supposed to be going to NJ or Philly.
Wonder if the Caps were in the chase for Johnny Hockey?
Now this is a player that the Caps should ahve been in on not Brown or MoJo.