[Report] Blue Jackets sign GM Jarmo Kekalainen to contract extension

[-Vintage Canuck-]

 

[Zhukini]

Guys made some good moves, the carton of Milk named torts is expired in Columbus and I think they'll come back very strong next season. He's one of the better GM's out there. 

[Quantum]

Not a surprise. He's a very good GM and got the Blue Jackets into the playoffs for 4 straight seasons. You can make an argument that he should've dealt Panarin and Bobrovsky for pieces but it was more important for Columbus, as a franchise, to get to the second round of the playoffs with them on the team instead of petering out with them not being on the team.

 

Lots of work for CBJ coming up but he's still good. Good for CBJ to bring back Kekalainen and also bring back Davidson... winning combo.

[morrissex95]

Columbus would do well getting some young pieces to build around. They should trade everybody and rebuild since they don't have enough depth to build a winner with this group. They're good in goal, they've got some young defensemen in Jones and Werenski but their forwards are terrible. At the top end they've got Roslovic, Laine, Domi, Bjorkstrand and Atkinson. Columbus, IMO, would be an ideal landing spot for some of the young forwards that will be available in the next three drafts. 

 

If they trade Patrik Laine, who will they get in return? Who would be interested? Carolina? Montreal? Los Angeles? Buffalo? Does it make sense to trade a guy you just acquired, especially when it's a star this prominent? Lots of question marks for Columbus.