Jarmo Kekalainen and the Columbus Blue Jackets have already become the headliner of the early days of June after reportedly signing Mike Babcock as their next head coach and acquiring Ivan Provorov in a three-team trade, involving the Philadelphia Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings earlier this week. On Friday, they continued making a splash, trading for Damon Severson from the New Jersey Devils.
Fire up the cannon, Damon Severson is coming to Columbus!
đź“ť https://t.co/HGrcQMRSBq@RuoffMortgage | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/WCrshIUQKE
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) June 9, 2023
This was one of those rare sign-and-trade deals, where a pending unrestricted free agent Severson first signed an eight-year, $50-million contract with the Devils and then was traded to the Blue Jackets. As a part of the deal, New Jersey received a third-round pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, which originally belonged to the Calgary Flames.
Damon Severson is a 28-year-old right-handed defenceman, who played his entire career in New Jersey. He appeared in 647 regular season games, scoring 263 points in them. Last season he recorded 33 points in 81 regular season games, also adding three points in 12 playoff games. Severson is a top-four defenceman with great puck-moving skills, who can play basically in all situations.
Damon Severson, acquired and signed 8x$6.25M by CBJ, is an analytical darling offensive defenceman with excellent passing ability whose tendency to make the occasional Big Mistake often earned him the ire of Devils fans. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/nN46AcHw1F
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 9, 2023
The @BlueJacketsNHL get another defenseman!
The Blue Jackets acquired Damon Severson earlier today and signed him to an eight-year, $50M contract.@Jackie_Redmond | @EJHradek_NHL | #CBJ | #NHLNow pic.twitter.com/to3r4HZ5m3
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 9, 2023
Hockey News
Reportedly, one of the biggest bidders for the Ottawa Senators billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos is out of the running [Ottawa Sun]
Toronto billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos, who had a fully financed bid believed to be worth north of $1 billion US, informed officials with the Melnyk estate, the NHL and New York-based banker Galatioto Sports Partners (GSP) he’ll no longer take part in the process.
Apostolopoulos, who was considered the frontrunner because he made the highest submission, is the second bidder to walk away from the sale process out of frustration because sources say he felt the negotiations were too long with representatives of the Melnyk estate and GSP.
The Toronto Maple Leafs officially announced hiring Shane Doan as their new Special Advisor to the General Manager.
We’ve hired Shane Doan to serve as Special Advisor to the General Manager
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 9, 2023
Colorado Avalanche defenceman Sam Girard is opening up his home in Roberval, Quebec to the families affected due to wildfires in Canada.
Sam Girard providing support for those affected by Canadian wildfires #GoAvsGo https://t.co/Yc72BGjDbn
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) June 9, 2023
Pierre-Luc Dubois, who recently turned down a one-year deal by the Winnipeg Jets, is expected to give a list of teams with which he’s willing to sign a long-term deal [The Athletic]
According to The Athletic’s report, Dubois will give the Jets a list of teams with which he’d be willing to sign a long-term extension. Pat Brisson, Dubois’ agent, will work with those teams to negotiate contract terms, and Kevin Cheveldayoff will do his best to work within these player-driven market parameters to maximize Winnipeg’s return. It’s a power move from the power forward — he’s using his 2024 UFA eligibility in an effort to dictate his long-term destination, even as an RFA without a no-movement clause — and given his abject unwillingness to sign in Winnipeg, it seems as though it’s going to work.
