The Columbus Blue Jackets signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Erik Gudbranson to a four-year contract worth $16 million, or $4 million per season. This contract carries him through the 2026-27 season. TSN’s Bob McKenzie first reported the deal.
Erik Gudbranson to CBJ, four years, $4M AAV.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 13, 2022
Erik Gudbranson Makes Deal with Blue Jackets
Over his 11-year NHL career, Gudbranson has played for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames. He has put up 27 goals and 67 assists for 94 career points in 641 career games. Florida originally drafted him in the first round, third overall of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Last season he scored a career-high six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 78 games. He also added 68 penalty minutes during the 2021-22 campaign. His possession numbers were 43.4 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -8.1.
The Ottawa native helped his native Canada win the silver medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. Gudbranson also represented Canada at the senior level at the 2014 IIHF Worlds. His home country came in fifth during that tournament. He had a standout career in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs. His best year at that level was the 2010-11 campaign when he netted 12 goals.
What This Means for the Future
Gudbranson had a stellar season with the Flames, where he scored a career-high six goals. Calgary general manager Brad Treliving took a chance after signing the journeyman defender to a one-year deal worth $1.95 million. However, he came up aces for the Flames after struggles with the Senators and Predators the season before.
The 30-year-old isn’t flashy, but he’s a solid veteran that can help shore up defensive depth. Gudbranson is a big body at 6-foot, 5-inches and 220 pounds that can throw his weight around of the defensive end.
Calgary has enough to deal with in trying to re-sign restricted free agents Matthew Tkachuk, Oliver Kylington and Andrew Mangiapane. It’s a likely a season of change for the Flames.
New career high in goals for Erik Gudbranson 🥰 pic.twitter.com/If5UpaYY3m
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 6, 2022
