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IDEAL Summer

Created by: Hockey_Soul
Team: 2024-25 Columbus Blue Jackets
Initial Creation Date: Jan. 25, 2024
Published: Jan. 29, 2024
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
DRAFT TIJ IGINLA!
Free Agent Signings
RESERVE LISTYEARSCAP HIT
3$925,000
2$825,000
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
5$4,500,000
3$4,000,000
6$6,250,000
3$3,250,000
1$1,850,000
2$950,000
2$900,000
1$775,000
1$875,000
1$875,000
1$825,000
CREATEDYEARSCAP HIT
Iginla, Tij
3$950,000
Trades
1.
CBJ
  1. 2025 2nd round pick (COL)
2.
CBJ
  1. 2025 6th round pick (CGY)
CGY
  1. Bean, Jake [RFA Rights]
3.
CBJ
  1. 2024 7th round pick (DAL)
DAL
  1. Bemström, Emil [RFA Rights]
4.
CBJ
  1. 2024 2nd round pick (CBJ)
PHI
  1. 2025 2nd round pick (CBJ)
5.
Buyouts
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2024
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the LAK
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the DAL
2025
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the COL
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CGY
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the VGK
2026
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
Logo of the CBJ
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
23$87,700,000$82,430,000$0$4,700,000$5,270,000
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$9,750,000$9,750,000
LW
NMC
UFA - 5
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$950,000$950,000 (Performance Bonus$3,200,000$3M)
C
RFA - 2
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$3,750,000$3,750,000
C, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$4,500,000$4,500,000
RW, LW
RFA
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$925,000$925,000
LW, C, RW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$6,250,000$6,250,000
RW
RFA
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$4,000,000$4,000,000
LW, C
RFA
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$3,250,000$3,250,000
C
RFA
Logo of the St. Louis Blues
$4,500,000$4,500,000
LW, RW
NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$1,850,000$1,850,000
LW, C, RW
RFA
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$2,500,000$2,500,000
C, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$1,100,000$1,100,000
RW, C
UFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$9,583,333$9,583,333
LD
NMC
UFA - 4
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$918,333$918,333 (Performance Bonus$1,000,000$1M)
RD
RFA - 2
Logo of the St. Louis Blues
$6,000,000$6,000,000
G
M-NTC
UFA - 3
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$4,725,000$4,725,000
LD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$6,250,000$6,250,000
RD
NTC
UFA - 7
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$1,050,000$1,050,000
G
RFA - 1
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$886,667$886,667 (Performance Bonus$500,000$500K)
LD
RFA - 3
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$4,000,000$4,000,000
RD
M-NTC
UFA - 2
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$950,000$950,000
LD/RD
UFA
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$2,750,000$2,750,000
RD
UFA - 2
Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets
$1,100,000$1,100,000
RW
UFA - 1

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Jan. 29 at 9:27 a.m.
#1
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I like these moves. I would try to lock up sillinger to a 5 x 5 if he would be willing. Sacrifice cap now to get a better deal on the back end when the jackets should be competitive
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Jan. 29 at 9:28 a.m.
#2
Craig Laughlin Fan
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Would prefer not to do this if I'm the Caps. I don't think Laine is the right person to use the entirety of Backstrom's cap space on.
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Jan. 29 at 9:33 a.m.
#3
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Never
Jan. 29 at 9:36 a.m.
#4
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Quoting: SK101
I like these moves. I would try to lock up sillinger to a 5 x 5 if he would be willing. Sacrifice cap now to get a better deal on the back end when the jackets should be competitive


yea no way kent and cole both get 3 year deals this summer and kent's number is higher. cole played his way onto the top line this season and has shown more than i think anyone expected him to. kent isn't even offer sheet eligible.
Jan. 29 at 9:42 a.m.
#5
Nah.
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I get moving Laine, but I still think he can at least get a 1st.

The Bean and Bemstrom deals feel about right. I’d also like to see CBJ say “**** it” and just put Peeke on waivers. I’m beyond tired of him - let him kick ass in CLE or let someone else have him for free.

It still feels like a Campbell-for-Merzlikens one for one is destiny at this point, and considering Campbell’s actually salary will be less than Elvis’, I think CBJ should be motivated to give it a shot. Frankly, what do you have to lose at this point?

The Marchy deals feels about right, but I think Chinny, KJ, and Cole are all bridge-deal guys. KJ probably gets more, as well.
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Jan. 29 at 9:57 a.m.
#6
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Quoting: dopplsan
I get moving Laine, but I still think he can at least get a 1st.

The Bean and Bemstrom deals feel about right. I’d also like to see CBJ say “**** it” and just put Peeke on waivers. I’m beyond tired of him - let him kick ass in CLE or let someone else have him for free.

It still feels like a Campbell-for-Merzlikens one for one is destiny at this point, and considering Campbell’s actually salary will be less than Elvis’, I think CBJ should be motivated to give it a shot. Frankly, what do you have to lose at this point?

The Marchy deals feels about right, but I think Chinny, KJ, and Cole are all bridge-deal guys. KJ probably gets more, as well.


Maybe Laine brings back a first, but that's a big number and he's been so inconsistent. Jarmo has worked crazier magic before, but I was just trying to be a little more conservative given all Laine's drawbacks.

Peeke is absolutely bad and overpaid, but I don't think there is an alternative. No one is going to trade for him or claim him, the team will not want to pay him almost $3m to play in Cleveland, and he still has 3 years left so a buyout would suck as well. I think he spends one more year as a 7th dman for this team before being bought out.

With Merzlikins resurgence this year, he is nowhere near on the level of Campbell as far as bad contracts go. He and Binnington are in pretty similar situations. Good, yet sometimes volatile tendys, who could use a fresh start.
Jan. 29 at 10:02 a.m.
#7
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Edited Jan. 29 at 10:11 a.m.
Quoting: SK101
I like these moves. I would try to lock up sillinger to a 5 x 5 if he would be willing. Sacrifice cap now to get a better deal on the back end when the jackets should be competitive


Cole has taken a step forward this year, but he's still not close to a being a $5mil player and I don't see him being that in 5 years either.
Quoting: JacketsComrade
yea no way kent and cole both get 3 year deals this summer and kent's number is higher. cole played his way onto the top line this season and has shown more than i think anyone expected him to. kent isn't even offer sheet eligible.


They've both shown good stretches of play, but still have a lot to prove. Cole played top-line a few games due to injury. He is absolutely not a top-line player. Maybe the numbers change based on how they finish the year, but a bridge is very appropriate for both of them. Both have high potential but plenty of question marks to avoid a long-term deal at this point. We could very easily wind up in another Wennberg situation with either of them.
Jan. 29 at 10:07 a.m.
#8
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Quoting: NoVaSpartan
Would prefer not to do this if I'm the Caps. I don't think Laine is the right person to use the entirety of Backstrom's cap space on.


He'd be a pretty natural replacement for Ovechkin.

Quoting: noted
Never


I've never seen a Blues fan like a trade that another team proposed on here. You're freeing up cap, getting younger and the talent is very close to being even. Both goalies are playing at a .905 level right now with the history and potential to be .920-.930 guys, so a change of scenery could benefit them both.
Jan. 29 at 10:07 a.m.
#9
Nah.
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Quoting: Hockey_Soul
Maybe Laine brings back a first, but that's a big number and he's been so inconsistent. Jarmo has worked crazier magic before, but I was just trying to be a little more conservative given all Laine's drawbacks.

Peeke is absolutely bad and overpaid, but I don't think there is an alternative. No one is going to trade for him or claim him, the team will not want to pay him almost $3m to play in Cleveland, and he still has 3 years left so a buyout would suck as well. I think he spends one more year as a 7th dman for this team before being bought out.

With Merzlikins resurgence this year, he is nowhere near on the level of Campbell as far as bad contracts go. He and Binnington are in pretty similar situations. Good, yet sometimes volatile tendys, who could use a fresh start.


Particularly with Elvis, his resurgence has more or less just been “awful to OK.” Campbell actually has decent career numbers at every stop he’s been…except for EDM.

I feel decently confident he could at least be solid again in a new environment, particularly one where the pressure isn’t ramped up for him. Elvis, on the other hand, seems to really want the spotlight and the pressure.
Jan. 29 at 10:13 a.m.
#10
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Quoting: dopplsan
Particularly with Elvis, his resurgence has more or less just been “awful to OK.” Campbell actually has decent career numbers at every stop he’s been…except for EDM.

I feel decently confident he could at least be solid again in a new environment, particularly one where the pressure isn’t ramped up for him. Elvis, on the other hand, seems to really want the spotlight and the pressure.


True, but Elvis is also playing for a bad team, and Campbell was on one of the league's best. Campbell's contract makes me very nervous. If we can't find a deal for a better guy like Binnington, I'd rather just hang on to him for now.
Jan. 29 at 10:23 a.m.
#11
xt0msx12 on X
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Quoting: Hockey_Soul
He'd be a pretty natural replacement for Ovechkin.


He hasn't scored over 30 goals in a season since 2018-19. That's not exactly an Ovechkin replacement. Yes, he has a very similar skillset and has been on 40+ goal pace multiple times since then, but he can't stay healthy. I like him a lot as a player but significant salary needs to go back if the caps are trading for him. I also hope he gets the assistance he needs from the NHLPA.
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Jan. 29 at 10:23 a.m.
#12
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Think the blues would rather keep Binnington. He's been good so far behind a leaky blues defense and it's only saving us 600K. Saad is fine right now as we don't have a pressing need to get rid of him. Trade doesn't make much sense for us
Jan. 29 at 10:27 a.m.
#13
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Quoting: Hockey_Soul
Cole has taken a step forward this year, but he's still not close to a being a $5mil player and I don't see him being that in 5 years either.

They've both shown good stretches of play, but still have a lot to prove. Cole played top-line a few games due to injury. He is absolutely not a top-line player. Maybe the numbers change based on how they finish the year, but a bridge is very appropriate for both of them. Both have high potential but plenty of question marks to avoid a long-term deal at this point. We could very easily wind up in another Wennberg situation with either of them.


we know cole isn't a top line player. top line players make $7.5 mil or more. cole IS a 20 year old who is showing a ceiling of a solid second line center. if kirby dach at 22 y/o was worth 3 yrs $3.3 mil AAV in the middle of the flat cap era, cole is gonna get more than that for 3 years. another example maccelli in arizona this summer signed for 3 yrs $3.4 mil AAV. cole is gonna get more than that. there aren't a ton of great comps because usually players don't debut as true 18 year olds unless they're super premium prospects, but the market has been set that cole sillinger is not 3 yrs $3.25 and certainly there's no reason he would get less than kent johnson, who has shown less at the nhl level. kent's most likely outcome is 2 yrs $2.5 mil or so just like laf took with NYR.
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Jan. 29 at 10:39 a.m.
#14
mokumboi
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Quoting: Hockey_Soul

With Merzlikins resurgence this year, he is nowhere near on the level of Campbell as far as bad contracts go. He and Binnington are in pretty similar situations. Good, yet sometimes volatile tendys, who could use a fresh start.


Ehh and why does Binnington need a fresh start exactly? They obviously reject this offer out of hand, dude.
Jan. 29 at 10:41 a.m.
#15
Caps123
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Quoting: NoVaSpartan
Would prefer not to do this if I'm the Caps. I don't think Laine is the right person to use the entirety of Backstrom's cap space on.


IDK Nova, I usually agree with your posts but I'd be hard-pressed to turn this down. Caps will have Backstrom and Mantha's caps off the books next year (almost 15 million). Why not take a shot on Laine who would only have two years left on his deal? Caps have a strong track record of taking cast-offs and scraps and turning them into valuable players.
Jan. 29 at 10:45 a.m.
#16
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Quoting: brady_t12
He hasn't scored over 30 goals in a season since 2018-19. That's not exactly an Ovechkin replacement. Yes, he has a very similar skillset and has been on 40+ goal pace multiple times since then, but he can't stay healthy. I like him a lot as a player but significant salary needs to go back if the caps are trading for him. I also hope he gets the assistance he needs from the NHLPA.


Hence the price of only a 2nd rounder. That is a pretty fair price to balance the risk vs reward.
Jan. 29 at 10:48 a.m.
#17
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Quoting: JacketsComrade
we know cole isn't a top line player. top line players make $7.5 mil or more. cole IS a 20 year old who is showing a ceiling of a solid second line center. if kirby dach at 22 y/o was worth 3 yrs $3.3 mil AAV in the middle of the flat cap era, cole is gonna get more than that for 3 years. another example maccelli in arizona this summer signed for 3 yrs $3.4 mil AAV. cole is gonna get more than that. there aren't a ton of great comps because usually players don't debut as true 18 year olds unless they're super premium prospects, but the market has been set that cole sillinger is not 3 yrs $3.25 and certainly there's no reason he would get less than kent johnson, who has shown less at the nhl level. kent's most likely outcome is 2 yrs $2.5 mil or so just like laf took with NYR.


Dach and Macceli both have higher upside and production than Sillinger. He's a middle-6 two-way center. He might have a couple 20-goal seasons in his career but he's never going to be an offensive dynamo. Like I said, maybe he garners a little more based on how he finishes the season, but we're talking about a difference of maybe half a mil AAV.

I don't disagree on Kent, but he has a much higher upside as a potential top-line player and the org might be willing to bet a little more on his future. I also think there is a much better chance that he gets hot before the end of the year and helps his case quite a bit in a summer negotiation.
Jan. 29 at 10:56 a.m.
#18
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Quoting: mokumboi
Ehh and why does Binnington need a fresh start exactly? They obviously reject this offer out of hand, dude.


His performance has been down since the cup run. HIs last three years are .901, .894, .907, and he's been a volatile personality which can make GMs willing to move on. Both guys are in a similar situation where they have dropped off a bit and can be a little erratic. It's fine if you don't want the deal, but it is a pretty fair value and certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

The deal also sends STL a right-shot dman who is still only 23 and possesses a rare offensive skillset while shedding over $2m in cap space.
Jan. 29 at 10:59 a.m.
#19
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Quoting: Hockey_Soul
He'd be a pretty natural replacement for Ovechkin.



I've never seen a Blues fan like a trade that another team proposed on here. You're freeing up cap, getting younger and the talent is very close to being even. Both goalies are playing at a .905 level right now with the history and potential to be .920-.930 guys, so a change of scenery could benefit them both.


https://x.com/NHL_Watcher/status/1751993758797677019?s=20

STL likess Binnington very much whether other franchises like him or not. Want nothing to do with Elvis.
Jan. 29 at 10:59 a.m.
#20
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Quoting: Hockey_Soul
Dach and Macceli both have higher upside and production than Sillinger. He's a middle-6 two-way center. He might have a couple 20-goal seasons in his career but he's never going to be an offensive dynamo. Like I said, maybe he garners a little more based on how he finishes the season, but we're talking about a difference of maybe half a mil AAV.

I don't disagree on Kent, but he has a much higher upside as a potential top-line player and the org might be willing to bet a little more on his future. I also think there is a much better chance that he gets hot before the end of the year and helps his case quite a bit in a summer negotiation.


Sillinger is only 20 and has upped his curling to a two way 2C. Those are worth more than 5 million on the open market. He’s fixed his skating which was holding him back. In 3-5 years he will be worth more than 5 million a year especially if he continues this trajectory and the cap keeps going up. Spend the money now while you don’t need it to save money when you will. He could easily cost 7-8 million if he becomes a 50-60 point two way center after his deal is up if he takes a bridge. Especially considering his age
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Jan. 29 at 11:03 a.m.
#21
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i wouldnt be mad at saad plus a later pick for boqvist but binnington is exactly what STL needs right now so hes not for sale
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Jan. 29 at 11:09 a.m.
#22
mokumboi
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Quoting: Hockey_Soul
His performance has been down since the cup run. HIs last three years are .901, .894, .907, and he's been a volatile personality which can make GMs willing to move on. Both guys are in a similar situation where they have dropped off a bit and can be a little erratic. It's fine if you don't want the deal, but it is a pretty fair value and certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

The deal also sends STL a right-shot dman who is still only 23 and possesses a rare offensive skillset while shedding over $2m in cap space.


Uhh no. Your description of Binnington is way off and the Blues have zero use for a RD who can't defend. Just FYI reading stats is not the same as understanding players. Binnington was a major victim of the team last season and has been excellent this season apart from a few games in December.


Quoting: Hockey_Soul

I've never seen a Blues fan like a trade that another team proposed on here.

You're freeing up cap, getting younger and the talent is very close to being even. Both goalies are playing at a .905 level right now with the history and potential to be .920-.930 guys, so a change of scenery could benefit them both.


1 - Oh give it a rest. How many good trade offers do you see around here?

2 - Really fudging those numbers, man. The Blues would have no interest in this. Sorry if that's troubling for you, but it's pretty obvious.
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Jan. 29 at 11:17 a.m.
#23
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Quoting: Hockey_Soul
He's a middle-6 two-way center. He might have a couple 20-goal seasons in his career


are you personally low on sillinger? 16 goals as a rookie and sure had a hard sophomore slump but he's showing us right now that he's probably a 20 to 25 goal pace guy. over the last 25 games (since the 9-game losing streak ended and we found our footing) he's on an 82-game pace of 26-16-42.

dach signed his contract having just 19-40-59 in 152 games played. cole will likely be around 33-40-73 in 215 games played. that's barely any productivity difference, plus sillinger is much younger, better on the dot, and is able to kill penalties. maccelli is an insane playmaker in a way cole isn't for sure and had shown that before signing.
Jan. 29 at 11:19 a.m.
#24
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Quoting: SK101
He could easily cost 7-8 million if he becomes a 50-60 point two way center after his deal is up if he takes a bridge.


and this is in the context of the current cap/next year's cap. in 5 years, the cap will likely make it to $105 million. then what does a 28-22-50 second line penalty killing center cost? $9 million?
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Jan. 29 at 11:30 a.m.
#25
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Quoting: mokumboi
Uhh no. Your description of Binnington is way off and the Blues have zero use for a RD who can't defend. Just FYI reading stats is not the same as understanding players. Binnington was a major victim of the team last season and has been excellent this season apart from a few games in December.

1 - Oh give it a rest. How many good trade offers do you see around here?

2 - Really fudging those numbers, man. The Blues would have no interest in this. Sorry if that's troubling for you, but it's pretty obvious.


Ok. I respect that you don't like the deal. Thanks for the input, but it still looks like a pretty fair offer to me.
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