The 2025 version of the Columbus Blue Jackets is starting to come into focus. Day one of the NHL's "UFA Day" has come and gone, and Blue Jackets fans and those who follow the team are split on the results.
Based on what most teams did, it sure seems like most teams did what they had to do, while others did absolutely nothing. This summer could get very interesting.
Let's review who they signed and who left for other teams.
Additions
Dante Fabbro – Defense – 4 Year – $4.125 million per season – Fabbro publicly stated, as did the team, that they wanted a deal to get done to bring back the young defender. As time crept on, it was starting to look like a deal wouldn't get done, but reports started trickling out last week that the team and Fabbro's camp were making progress on a new deal. Fabbro's new deal is both player and team-friendly with the term and money he got. Fabbro will be 31 when he becomes a UFA, and as the cap continues to rise, that $4 million per season contract will keep looking better and better, especially if Fabbro keeps playing like he did last season.
Ivan Provorov – Defense – 7 Years – $8.5 million per season – Provorov was the big fish that both sides wanted to get done. After Don Waddell flirted with a few other right-shot defensemen in free agency, he quickly circled back and got a deal done with Provorov a day before free agency was set to start. The initial reaction from some fans and media was shock about the money, but it really isn't that bad if Provorov continues to 1. Produce, and 2. Be available for games. Provorov has played 82 games six times in his career, including the last three seasons. Many teams would pay that simply for a player being able to stay healthy and play all 82 games. Provorov is a good player and a confident one as well. Being able to play both sides is also a plus. In yesterday's press conference, he stated that while there are players who can play the right side, not too many can play better than him, even as a leftie. And if we're being honest, he's probably right.
Isac Lundeström – Forward – 2 Years – $1.3 million per season – Lundeström is an excellent center with 337 NHL games under his belt at 25 years old. One scout said the following: "Powerful skater.. ability to carry the puck deep using good puck protection on both sides to then put dangerous pucks in front from down low." Adding Lundeström should give Dean Evason the choice of moving both Boone Jenner and Cole Sillinger to the wing, should…