Just days after acquiring defenceman Jake Bean in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed the restricted free agent. Bean and the Jackets agree on a three-year deal worth $7 million ($2.33 million AAV). The deal carries him through the 2023-24 season. Chris Johnston was first with the news.
Jake Bean gets a three-year extension with #CBJ at $2.33M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 29, 2021
Jake Bean Signs with the Columbus Blue Jackets
Before playing in the NHL, Jake Bean spent two seasons with the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina’s AHL affiliate). In the 2018-19 season, Bean captured the Calder Cup with Charlotte. He recorded 13 goals, 31 assists, and 41 points in 70 games played. During the 15-game playoff run, Bean added one goal, four assists, and five points. Then, Bean posted some impressive numbers in his 2019-20 campaign. Bean scored 10 goals, 38 assists, and 48 points. That was good enough to suit up for two NHL games.
Jake Bean played 42 games in 2020-21. He recorded one goal, 11 assists, and 12 points. He posted some underwhelming analytics; with -1.4 OFF (offensive value), -2.8 DEF (defensive value), and -0.7 WAR (wins above replacement). His expected analytics consisted of -1.4 xOFF (expected offensive value), -0.4 xDEF (expected defensive value), and -0.2 xWAR (expected wins above replacement). All analytics are from Evolving Hockey’s Website. The 23-year-old defenceman was taken 13th overall back in the 2016 draft by Carolina. Prior to the 2020-21 season, Bean had only two games of NHL experience, a total of 44 career games played.
What This Means for the Future
Jake Bean is a very offensive-minded and shifty defenceman. While being gifted with a smart mind and puck poise, Bean is also very responsible in his own end. With Seth Jones out of Columbus, they will need to replace his minutes on the power play. Bean may get an opportunity to take some of those minutes and produce in an offensive role.
Main Photo: TAMPA, FLORIDA – JUNE 03: Jake Bean #24 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks to pass during Game Three of the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on June 03, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
