It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re closing in on the start of training camp in just a few days. However, general managers have been active most of the summer. Teams are trying to fill out their rosters with the start of the regular season less than a month away. One team that’s had to endure plenty this summer is the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team is still trying to figure out how to deal with the sad loss of Johnny Gaudreau. This edition of NHL rumours talks about the Blue Jackets trying to fill roster spots.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Columbus Blue Jackets Trying to Add More Forwards
Rumour: The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline talked to General Manager Don Waddell about the roster moving forward. Columbus’ GM said they are trying to add more forwards to NHL deals and not player tryouts.
#CBJ GM Don Waddell says he’s talking with agents for current free agents, looking to sign one or two players before camp. Not PTOs, actual contracts.
“We’re two forwards short.”
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 14, 2024
Analysis: Waddell has seemingly made good on that talk so far in signing James van Riemsdyk to a contract on Sunday. However, it seems that “JVR” may not be the only addition to the Blue Jackets forward group.
The Blue Jackets GM stated that the club is two forwards short of having roster ready for the start of the season. Adding a veteran like van Riemsdyk does help with that. The 35-year-old said that he was willing to sign with the club to help out at a difficult time.
Waddell also mentioned he will try a plethora of different ways to add more players to the roster. Portzline mentions that the Jackets are looking to add players via PTOs along with signings and trades.
More Additions Likely Coming
The Columbus general manager stated the team isn’t likely to make offer sheets to any restricted free agents that are on the market still. There are players like Detroit Red Wings youngsters Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond that are unsigned. However, it does seem like Waddell wants to waste draft capital at this point.
Columbus may have to keep adding prospects to the pipeline and unmatched offer sheets would mean the team would have to give up draft choices. It doesn’t seem like something the franchise would want to do.
The club does have nearly $25 million in salary cap space according to Puckpedia after the van Riemsdyk signing, so it means the team could take some risks with short-term contracts.
Who Could Be on the Radar?
Let’s keep in mind that there are veterans like Phil Kessel out on the market still. The soon-to-be 37-year-old is eight points away from 1,000 points and thinks he can still play. A low-risk contract could be worth a shot for this Blue Jackets team.
A number of free agents are still out there are Waddell does have a chance to add some leadership to a club that will go through a season unlike any other. The season may have been a challenge even with Gaudreau, but this team will be in uncharted waters.
It’s going to be an emotional season in Ohio. However, this team may not be done reshaping its roster.
Main photo by: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images via Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network
