Image courtesy of blue jackets twitter
The Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday agreed to terms with star forward Johnny Gaudreau on a seven-year contract, the team announced, landing NHL free agency’s biggest name in a stunning move.
Gaudreau’s deal with the Blue Jackets is for $68.25 million, carrying an average annual value of $9.75 million against the NHL salary cap.
The 28-year-old left wing spent all nine of his NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames, scoring 609 points in 602 games. He had a career high 115 points last season in 82 games, which included a career-best 40 goals. He’s finished fourth in the NHL MVP voting in two of the past four seasons.
“Johnny Gaudreau is a superstar in the National Hockey League, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome him to the Columbus Blue Jackets family,” Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a news release. “He is an elite player with great character that makes the players around him better. We are thrilled to add a player of his caliber to our group. This is an exciting day for our franchise, our fans and the city of Columbus.”