In a classic 5 p.m. Friday news dump, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced the official signing of restricted free agent Alexander Wennberg. The young centerman was never thought to be in contentious contract talks, but the fact that the two sides had entered into September without a contract was curious to some and downright worrisome to others.
Now, we can exhale and process everything.
Reasonable Long-Term Number
There was debate as to whether Wennberg would or should sign a bridge deal (2-3 years) or aim for a longer contract. While each has its pluses, there are also corresponding and inherent risks. With an annual cap hit of $4.9M, Wennberg's contract could become a darn bargain in a few short years, if not sooner.
Consider that his salary sits fourth among current Blue Jackets forwards behind Artemi Panarin ($6M), Brandon Dubinsky ($5.85M), and Nick Foligno ($5.5M). Around the NHL, his contract closely aligns with the likes of Vincent Trocheck, Sean Couturier, and Jonathan Drouin. With the salary cap going up, and, frankly, Wennberg's on-ice production essentially doubling each year (20, 40, 59), the Blue Jackets are surely content to lock their No. 1 center up at a reasonable cap hit.
6 years, $4.9 mil aav for Wennberg extension with @BlueJacketsNHL
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 1, 2017
Offseason Headache Checked Off The List
With the signing of Wennberg in the rear-view mirror, the only remaining item to check off the to-do list for the Blue Jackets is to sign fellow RFA Josh Anderson.
Last week, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Connor Brown, a young winger who just capped off a somewhat-unexpected breakout season, to a three-year, $6.3M contract. Anderson is seen as a comparable player in some regards, and this contract signing could be used as a starting point in negotiations.
Still, there are two weeks until Blue Jackets report for training camp, which is plenty of time to work out a deal. We think.
Panarin-Wennberg Duo is Unofficially Official
When the general manager makes reference to line combinations in the summer, we can safely assume we'll see that combination (at least to start the season). With Wennberg signed, let the Wennberg-Panarin tandem commence.
Much has been made of how Panarin was a 'product' of playing on a line with the uber-talented Patrick Kane, but conversely, as Jarmo Kekalainen pointed out, two of Kane's best seasons came while he was playing with Panarin. Wennberg is not Kane, of course, but breaking his past year's total of 59 points should be more than attainable if he's dishing pucks to a player of Panarin's caliber.
