Matt Calvert was a fifth-round draft pick of the Blue Jackets in 2008.
He rose through the organization and made his NHL debut in 2010-11, before becoming a full-time player in 2012-13. A year later, he scored (at the time) the most memorable goal in team history – a double overtime winner at then-CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, a goal that sent the series back to Columbus in a 1-1 tie.
Calvert's role has diminished slightly with age and he griped with coach John Tortorella about ice time this year, but the respect was always mutual.
For financial (and term) reasons, it was unlikely that Calvert would be back with the Blue Jackets next year – and it's all but official as free agency began Sunday afternoon. Elliotte Friedman reported Calvert is signing a three-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, reuniting with assistant GM Chris MacFarland, who was always a fan of Calvert's as he rose through the AHL ranks and to the NHL.
COL was also believed to be getting Matt Calvert, for around 3x2.8
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2018
The longest-tenured Blue Jackets player is now Cam Atkinson, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2008.
