Columbus acquired a superstar from the free market, but also a salary cap concern. Someone has to leave before Jarmo Kekäläinen can fit Patrik Laine under the salary cap of a possible new contract.
Although the NHL season is starting to be through the draft and the free agent market in the package, Columbus Jarmo Kekäläinen summer vacations are still waiting for themselves.
Kekäläinen snagged a real superstar on the free market on Wednesday Johnny Gaudreaubut at the same time, there are still a couple of hot potatoes on the sports director’s desk.
Gaudreau and the basic defender by Erik Gudbranson acquisitions consumed almost all oxygen from Columbus’ salary cap.
According to the Capfriendly website, after the recent acquisitions, Kekäläinen only has a good three million bucks at its disposal, which is where we get to the other hot topic: Patrik Laine for further contract negotiations. They are still in progress.
– I guess this makes things a little easier, but you can hardly get rid of your phone during the summer, Kekäläinen laughs to Urheilu from Columbus.
Kekäläinen and his staff had just gone to pick up Gaudreau from his hometown in Philadelphia on a private plane to Columbus, where the Yankee striker was introduced to the media for the first time as a member of the Blue Jackets family.
– With those salaries, it’s fine to fly on a private plane, Kekäläinen said, referring to the 9.75 million annual salary of the Yankees.
After the acquisition of Gaudreau, Columbus is in a completely new situation. On Wednesday, the club took a significant step forward in terms of sportsmanship for the upcoming season, although it is still not counted among the favorites of the Eastern Conference.
The next step towards the elite could be getting Laine under a contract.
Grabbing Gaudreau, who scored no fewer than 115 power points last season, hardly complicates negotiations with Laine at least. The winger, who represented Calgary throughout his NHL career, would easily be Laine’s best chain mate in his NHL career.
– You have to ask Pat how he feels about this, Kekäläinen dodges.
Total amount in search
Laine toden totta is the next project on Kekäläinen’s desk. The club and the striker from Tampere have been working on an extension contract throughout the spring and summer, but so far without success. According to Kekäläinen, the situation has remained unchanged for a long time.
– He has expressed his desire to sign a long-term contract here even before Gaudreau’s arrival, through his managers. We have expressed the same wish, Kekäläinen states.
So it’s ultimately about money. The club and Laine have been rumored to be about a million and a half dollars apart.
The club management and Laine have not yet found common ground. The club boss wants Laine to be flexible when it comes to money.
– We have to find the right pieces of money so that we can aim for the Stanley Cup. If we pay ourselves sick for two or three players, the team won’t be as good, because the salary cap will inevitably hit. For example, Tampa, Colorado and Boston have made decisions in this regard that have made the team better. This is what is needed.
– I believe that in the end the players also want to win rather than get the maximum bankroll. You have to believe in that, otherwise there is no point in this, Kekäläinen says.
Kekäläinen is not worried about how to make room for Lainee under the salary cap.
For example, if Laine were to earn eight million with his new contract, Kekäläinen would have to scrape around five million off the salary cap in the current situation. Currently, Columbus has 3.1 million in use.
The salary cap for the coming season is 82.5 million yen.
– Yes, we will solve it and we have many options on the table here. Other clubs also know our situation and we have already received many contacts asking what you really mean. Yes, we will solve this.